Photos

The fertile plains irrigated by the Papaloapan River have been inhabited since time immemorial. When the Spaniards came up this river in the 16th century, they found small communities that lived along the banks of the river living on trade and fishing. What today makes up Tlacotalpan used to be an island, known in those days as La Candelaria, after the Virgin they worshipped.

Possibly the reason why there were so few pre Hispanic settlements in this river basin is the large number of floods caused by the heavy rainfall that affected the area. There are so many rivers and tributaries in the area that the actual river basin is constantly changing shape, as happened with Tlacotalpan that ceased being an island during the colonial period.

Mexico Desconocido:
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