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Puebla

Estado Libre y Soberano
de Puebla
State
Flag of Puebla
Flag
 Coat of arms of Puebla
Coat of arms
Location within Mexico
Location within Mexico
Municipalities of Puebla
Municipalities of Puebla
Country Flag of Mexico.svg Mexico
Capital Puebla
Municipalities 217
Largest Cities Puebla
Tehuacán
Admission December 21, 1823
Order 4th
Area

Ranked 21st
 • Total 33,902 km2 (13,090 sq mi)
Population
 (2005)
 • Total 5,383,133 (Ranked 5th)
 • Demonym
Poblano
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
HDI 0.791 - medium
Ranked 28th
ISO 3166-2 MX-PUE
Postal abbr. Pue.
Website www.puebla.gob.mx

Puebla is a Mexican state located in the central part of the country. It is found to the east of Mexico City. Puebla shares its borders with several other states. To the east, it borders Veracruz. To the west, you'll find Hidalgo, Mexico State, Tlaxcala, and Morelos. To the south, it borders Guerrero and Oaxaca.

The state's capital and largest city is Puebla. Another major city is Tehuacan. Puebla is divided into 217 smaller areas called municipalities.

What's in a Name? The Story Behind Puebla's Name

The state of Puebla gets its name from its capital city. The city was first called La Puebla de los Angeles, which means "Town of the Angels" in Latin.

Today, the city's full name is Heróica Puebla de Zaragoza. This longer name honors Ignacio Zaragoza. He was a hero who led the Mexican army to victory. They defeated the Imperial French army in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This important date is celebrated every year as Cinco de Mayo. Did you know that many Aztec people also lived in the Puebla area long ago?

Exploring Puebla's Geography and Landscapes

NECAXA
Lake and mountains in Necaxa
Río Petlapa
Petlapa River
PiedrasEncimadas90
Fog in the mountains near Zacatlán

Puebla has a very interesting landscape with many mountains. In the northeast, you'll find part of the Eastern Sierra Madre mountain range. It's known locally as the Northern Sierra of Puebla. The rest of the state is crossed by a chain of volcanoes called the "Transversal Volcanic System."

Towering Peaks and Volcanoes

Some of Mexico's highest mountains are in Puebla. The Pico de Orizaba, also known as Citlaltepetl volcano, is the tallest point in Mexico. It reaches an amazing 5,610 meters (about 18,400 feet) above sea level. Puebla shares this volcano with the state of Veracruz.

Other famous volcanoes in Puebla include Popocatepetl, which is 5,500 meters (about 18,000 feet) high. There's also Iztaccihuatl at 5,230 meters (about 17,160 feet) and the Cerro La Negra.

Rivers and Waterways

Many rivers flow through Puebla, providing water to the state. These include the Atoyac, Tilaza, Mixteco, Nexapa, Pentepec, San Marcos, Salado Cempoala, Zapoteco, Tehuacan, Ajajalpa, and Nexaca rivers. The Nexaca River forms a special water area that is protected as a Natural Reserve.

Plants and Animals of Puebla

The high parts of the Northern Sierra are home to local trees like chanchan, ojoh, and palo de agua. On the volcanic peaks, you'll find forests of pine, oak, and oyamel trees. In the warmer valleys, there are plants that lose their leaves, such as cuajiote, copal, and cuachalalate.

Puebla's wildlife includes animals like leopards, wild boars, wolves, porcupines, badgers, squirrels, and rattlesnakes.

Puebla's Climate Zones

Puebla's climate changes depending on the area. The high volcanic regions and the lowlands often have dry or semi-dry weather. The valleys in the south have a hot and sub-humid climate, meaning they are warm and a bit humid.

Puebla's Economy: How the State Makes Money

Puebla's economy is quite strong. It contributes about 3.7% to Mexico's total economy, making it the seventh largest contributor in the country.

The state's income comes from different areas:

  • Services: 22.6% (like healthcare, education, and tourism)
  • Manufacturing: 22.5% (making things in factories)
  • Commerce, Hotels, and Restaurants: 22% (buying, selling, and places to stay or eat)
  • Financial and Real Estate Services: 13.7% (banks, loans, and property)

Puebla is especially known for producing flowers grown outdoors, eggs, coffee, beer, and beans. The state also continues its long tradition of making beautiful items from onyx and marble.

Who Lives in Puebla? Demographics and Culture

In 2003, Puebla had an estimated population of about 5.38 million people. This makes it the 5th most populated state in Mexico.

About 26% of the people live in the capital city, Puebla de Zaragoza. The rest of the population lives in the other 216 municipalities. About 29% of the people live in rural areas, which are smaller towns and countryside.

Languages and Beliefs

Most people in Puebla, about 92%, follow the Catholic faith. About 12% of the population speaks an native language. The most common native language is Nahuatl, followed by Totonac. This means Puebla has the eighth highest percentage of people who speak an indigenous language in Mexico.

How Puebla is Organized: Municipalities

The state of Puebla is divided into seven main regions: Huauchinango, Teziutlán, Ciudad Serdán, San Pedro Cholula, Puebla, Izúcar de Matamoros, and Tehuacán. These regions are then split into 217 smaller areas called municipalities (or municipios in Spanish). Each municipality has its own leader, called a municipal president (like a mayor).

Major Cities and Towns in Puebla

Here are some of the most important communities in Puebla:

Getting Around: Transportation in Puebla

Puebla has its own airport, the Hermanos Serdan International Airport. This airport helps people travel to and from the state. For getting around within Puebla, cars and buses are the most common ways to travel.

Famous People from Puebla

Many important figures in Mexican history were born or lived in Puebla. Here are a few:

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Puebla para niños

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