Tapachula
Tapachula is a city and municipality in the Soconusco region of Chiapas, Mexico's southernmost state, positioned on the Pacific coastal plain near the Guatemalan border at an elevation of approximately 170 meters. Known as the "Pearl of the Soconusco," its name originates from Nahuatl words denoting flooded or marshy land.[1] The area was established as an Aztec tributary settlement in 1486, later evolving into a prominent agricultural hub following the 19th-century introduction of coffee cultivation, which attracted European immigrants and spurred economic growth through exports.[2] As the most populous municipality in Chiapas, Tapachula recorded 353,706 inhabitants in the 2020 census, with a demographic composition of 51.5% women and 48.5% men.[3] Its economy centers on agriculture and trade, generating significant international sales from bananas (US$69.1 million in 2024) and coffee (US$18.8 million in 2024), alongside other crops like mangoes and avocados, supported by the nearby Puerto Chiapas for exports.[3] As a primary border crossing, the city facilitates commerce with Central America but also serves as a major transit node for migratory flows, including thousands from Guatemala and beyond, contributing to local infrastructure pressures and humanitarian dynamics.[4]