San Andrés Tuxtla is a city and municipality in the south of the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is the largest in the Los Tuxtlas region. It was founded after an eruption of the San Martín Volcano pushed people into this valley during the early colonial period. Since the 19th century, the area has been the center of Mexico's production of fine tobacco, mostly used in the making of cigars.
The city
The city of San Andrés Tuxtla is the largest city in the municipality of the same name and in the entire Los Tuxtlas regions. It is located in a small valley with the San Martín Volcano towering above it.
The city is centered on a square called Parque Lerdo, which has a circular kiosk in the center. Every Sunday the city sponsors cultural events such as art exhibitions and traditional music and dance, such and fandango and zapateado dance. Much of this reflects Afro-Mexican influence.
The main structure is the Cathedral of Saint Joseph and Saint Andrew, built in 1870 with sleek bell towers and a sober facade with Neoclassical influence. The patron saint of the city is Saint Andrew, who is celebrated on November 29 and 30. On the 29th, the main event is the running a bull figure made of reeds with the local youth. This is followed by a parade of mojigangas, large figures of hollow cartonería (papier-mâché)on a frame, worn on the shoulders of a dancer. The prototypes of these figures were brought to the area by the Spanish, and over time have been modified to a unique Tuxtla style. On November 30, there is mass and a procession with a large image of the saint pulled by tractor and surrounded by mojigangas. There are also releases of sky lanterns. Another important annual event is Las Ramas on December 16, which begin Las Posadas, a type of caroling event carrying branches.
The main museum is the Regional Museum of San Andrés Tuxtla, which contains objects from the region, many of which were donated by residents. It was opened in 2008, and features artifacts from its pre-Hispanic history as far back as the Olmecs, and the development of the tobacco industry, especially in the 19th century. One important piece is a crucified Christ image called El Señor de Matacapan, whose pieces were found in Matacapan and reconstructed by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia.
The Casa de Cultura is on Hernandez y Hernandez Street and holds cultural events mostly attended by city residents. It also has a collection of pre-Hispanic artifacts.
The city has a number of old houses with gardens and patios from the city's heyday, and Parque Chichipilco is popular with families and holds cultural events.
La Maquina Vieja is an old industrial structure dating from 1840, located just outside the city.
The municipality
The city of San Andrés Tuxtla is the local government for 261 communities, with a population of 64,445 inhabitants as 2020, which together extend over an area of 957.2km2 . It borders the municipalities of Santiago Tuxtla, Ángel R. Cabada, Catemaco, Hueyapan de Ocampo and Isla, extending to the Gulf of Mexico to the north and east. Five of the communities are considered urban and the rest are rural. Outside the seat, the largest communities are Comoapan (pop. 5,426), Calería (4,066), Salto de Eyipantla (4,008) and Sihuapan (3,930). Overall, the population density if 164.4 people per square km, and an estimated indigenous population of 1,505 with 540 of these speaking an indigenous language. The municipal government consists of a municipal president, a syndic and eleven representatives for the communities. There are 413 schools, most of which serves preschool and primary school students. There are high schools, vocational schools two university level schools and adult education. The Instituto Tecnológico Superior de San Andrés Tuxtla was founded in 1983 with three majors. Today it offers eight, mostly in engineering and computers. Theilliteracy rate is 15.7 percent.
Most of the cigar making establishments are in the Matacapan area, between the cities of San Andres Tuxtla and Catemaco off Highway 180. The area is dotted with large house-like structure in which tobacco is cured.
The coastline has a number of beaches which are promoted under the name of Costa de Oro, along with Puerto de Balzapote, a fishing village.
Socioeconomics
The municipality is classified as having a medium level of socioeconomic marginalization, with 75.2% living in poverty and 24.7 living in extreme poverty. Agriculture employs 25.9% of the working population, with 21.8 working in industry and 51.4% in commerce and services.