Tuxpan, Jalisco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tuxpan
Municipality and town
Tuxpan's main Catholic Church
Coat of arms
Location of the municipality in Jalisco
Tuxpan Location in Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Jalisco
Area
• Total	725.5 km2 (280.1 sq mi)
• Town	6.47 km2 (2.50 sq mi)
Population  (2020 census)
• Total	37,518
• Density	51.713/km2 (133.937/sq mi)
• Town	30,471
• Town density	4,710/km2 (12,198/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central Standard Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time)

Tuxpan is a town and municipality in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is a cool place with a rich history and unique traditions.

The name "Tuxpan" comes from an ancient language called Nahuatl. It means "place where rabbits live" or "place of many rabbits." Some people also think it means "a location above the river."

Geography: Where is Tuxpan?

Tuxpan is located in the southern part of the state of Jalisco. It sits at an average height of 1,900 meters (about 6,230 feet) above sea level. Imagine being high up in the mountains!

The weather here is usually nice. The average temperature is 21°C (70°F). It can get as warm as 30°C (86°F) and as cool as 13°C (55°F). A special hill called Cihuapilli, which is 1,724 meters tall, stands out in the area. The Tuxpan River, also known as Tizatirla, flows right through the town.

History: A Look Back in Time

Tuxpan has a long and interesting history. In 1529, Spanish explorers arrived in the area. They were led by Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura, who was a nephew of Hernán Cortés.

Later, in 1536, a group of Franciscan friars (religious brothers) officially founded the village. They planned out the town and built a church dedicated to San Juan Bautista. An old eight-sided cross was also built. This cross is now the oldest colonial monument in all of Jalisco! Records show that Tuxpan was first settled by the Toltec people way back in the year 1642.

Important Dates in Tuxpan's History

Here are some key moments that shaped Tuxpan:

• 1897 – July 17: The town got its first drinking water service. Water was brought from "port of Mount" to the San Sebastian square.
• 1905 – July 18: A national telegraph service started in Tuxpan. This made communication much faster!
• 1905 – October 23: A train carrying firewood arrived in town. This was a big deal for transportation.
• 1908 – March: The first public telephone began working. Imagine being able to talk to someone far away!
• 1908 – December 1: The Mexican Pacific Railroad arrived. This connected Tuxpan to Colima and other places.
• 1910 – September 16: A new kiosk was opened in the main square. It replaced an old water fountain.
• 1910 – October: The town got its first electric power plant, which used gas.
• 1911 – July: The first post office was set up, making it easier to send letters.
• 1913 – January 20: The Volcano of Colima erupted. This was a powerful natural event.
• 1923 – July 10: Electric service officially began, provided by a company owned by J. Trinidad Ochoa.
• 1926 – July 13: Drinking water started to be pumped from the Tizate springs.
• 1927 – July 27: The first movie theater, called "Red Lounge," opened. People could now watch films!
• 1941 – April 15: A very strong earthquake hit the village, causing a lot of damage.
• 1953 – November 14: High schools started operating under the federal Miguel Hidalgo program.

Localities: Towns and Villages in Tuxpan

The municipality of Tuxpan includes 92 different towns and villages. Here are some of the most populated ones:

• Platanar
• San Juan de Espanatica
• Atenquique
• Padilla
• Rancho Niño
• San Miguel el Alto
• Los Laureles
• Poblado Nuevo
• 21 de Noviembre
• Los Mazos
• Las Canoas
• Agosto
• Pozo Santo
• Montelongo
• San Mames
• Paso de San Juan
• El Taracon
• Buen País

Gastronomy: Delicious Food of Tuxpan

Tuxpan is famous for its unique and tasty dishes. Here are a few you might enjoy:

Cuaxala: A Savory Soup

Cuaxala is a thick, savory soup. It's made with chicken broth, guajillo chilies, tomatoes, and fresh oregano. It also has a special doughy texture. Shredded chicken meat is added on top. This delicious meal is often served in a traditional mud bowl, especially for lunch.

Frijoles Güeros: Special Beans

These "blond beans" are often made during Mexico's Easter week, especially during Lent. The dish uses white beans, cilantro, Guajillo chiles, onions, garlic, and cloves. Once cooked, it's served with a tortilla folded into four parts. It's a simple but flavorful dish!

"Tacos de la Estación": Famous Station Tacos

Tuxpan is well-known for its "Tacos de la Estación," which means "Tacos from the (train) station." These tacos became famous when many train passengers would stop in Tuxpan between Colima and Mexico City and buy them.

Today, you can still find them sold near the old train station and along V. Carranza street. These tacos are made with handmade corn tortillas. The tortilla is covered in a special sauce and filled with seasoned beef and pork, or sometimes with beans or potatoes. They are a must-try when visiting Tuxpan!

See also

In Spanish: Tuxpan (Jalisco) para niños