What is "tlacotalpan"

Tlacotalpan is a town in Tlacotalpan Municipality in the Mexican state of Veracruz, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998 primarily for its architecture and colonial-era layout. The town was established in 1550 on what was originally an island in the Papaloapan River. From the colonial era to the 20th century, it was an important port, one of few interior river ports in Latin America. However, with the construction of the railroad, Tlacotalpan’s importance faded. Starting in the latter 20th century, efforts to conserve the town’s Spanish/Caribbean architecture and layout began, culminating in World Heritage status. Today, its main economic support is fishing and tourism, especially to the annual feast in honor of Our Lady of Candlemas.

Tlacotalpan Municipality is a municipality located in the eastern coastal region of the Mexican state of Veracruz. It covers a total surface area is , accounting for 0.89% of the state total.

Tlacotalpan borders with Alvarado Municipality to the North; José Azueta Municipality, Isla Municipality, and Santiago Tuxtla Municipality to the South; Lerdo de Tejada Municipality, Saltabarranca Municipality, and Santiago Tuxtla Municipality to the East; and Acula Municipality and Amatitlán Municipality to the West.

The municipality is drained by the San Juan and Tuxpan rivers, which are tributaries of the larger Papaloapan River.

The municipal seat is the city of Tlacotalpan, Veracruz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.