Comalcalco facts for kids
Comalcalco is a city in the Mexican state of Tabasco. It's about 60 kilometers (45 miles) northwest of Villahermosa. Near the city, you can find the ancient Pre-Columbian Maya archaeological site also called Comalcalco. The name "Comalcalco" means "In the house of the comals." A comal is a special pan used for cooking food.
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People of Comalcalco
In 2020, the city of Comalcalco had about 43,035 people living there. The larger area around the city, called the municipality, had a population of 214,877. Comalcalco is the third largest city in Tabasco. Only Villahermosa and Cárdenas are bigger. The municipality covers a large area. It includes many smaller towns. Some of the biggest are Tecolutilla, Chichicapa, and Cupilco.
The Ancient Maya Site
The ancient Maya site of Comalcalco is very special. It is the westernmost known Maya settlement. This means it's the furthest west the Maya people built a major city.
What makes it even more unique is how its buildings were made. Most Maya cities used limestone for construction. But Comalcalco didn't have much limestone nearby. So, the builders used fired-clay bricks instead! They held these bricks together with mortar made from oyster shells. Many of these bricks have cool designs or glyphs (ancient writing) carved into them. Important parts of the site include the northern plaza and two large pyramids. These are called the Gran Acropolis and the Acropolis Este.
What Comalcalco Produces
Comalcalco has very rich soil. This makes it great for farming. People grow many tropical products here. Corn, beans, and other vegetables are also cultivated.
The biggest crop in Comalcalco is cocoa. In fact, Comalcalco produces 20% of all the cocoa harvested in Tabasco state! Other important crops include coconut, pepper, avocado, and various tropical fruits. While not super widespread, high-quality livestock farming also happens. Most farms are located just outside the city. Comalcalco also contributes to Mexico's energy. It produces 5% of the total oil extracted in Tabasco.
History of the City
The modern city of Comalcalco has an interesting history. In 1820, the Mezcalapa river started to dry up. Many families moved to an island in the middle of the river. The government of Tabasco decided to establish a new town there. They named it San Isidro de Comalcalco. This happened in October 1820. The first local government for the town was created later, on November 14, 1834.
See also
In Spanish: Comalcalco para niños
