Municipality of Jalpa de Méndez

Jalpa de Méndez is a municipality in the Mexican state of Tabasco, located in the Grijalva River region and in the Centro subregion. Its municipal seat is the city of Jalpa de Méndez and it has a division also made up of 22 ejidos, 35 rancherías, 6 towns, 1 subdivision, 4 urban colonies, 1 rural colony, 6 congregations and 1 town.

Its extension is 369.6km ², which corresponds to 1.5% of the state's total; This places the municipality in fourteenth place in territorial extension. It borders to the North with the municipalities of Paraíso and Centla, to the South with the municipalities of Cunduacán and Nacajuca, to the East with the municipality of Nacajuca and to the West with the municipalities of Comalcalco, Cunduacán and Paraíso.

Toponymy

The name of this town comes from the Nahuatl word Xal-pan or Shal-pan. From Shali, sand; and pan, toponymic ending; which together translates as: "On the sand". Later the surname "Méndez" in honor of Colonel Gregorio Méndez Magaña, the greatest Tabasco hero named "Bemérito de Tabasco", for defeating the invading French forces.

History

It is known that between 1524 and 1525 the conquistador Hernán Cortés passed through a part of this territory, on his expedition to the Hibueras (Honduras).

Around 1550 several Spanish families lived in the town of Xalpa, which became one of the most important towns in colonial Tabasco, along with Santa María de la Victoria, San Juan Bautista and Tacotalpa In fact, it was named the capital of Chontalpa.

In 1665 twelve towns were settled in what is now this municipality.

On October 27, 1827, by decree of the then Governor of the state Marcelino Margalli, the city of Comalcalco was founded in the territory of Jalpa.

On November 14, 1834, the Comalcalco City Council was created, separating from Jalpa the territory that is today the municipalities of Comalcalco and Paraíso.

On November 17, 1852, the town of Jalpa was designated the head of the homonymous municipality.

As of October 28, 1882, by decree of the local congress, the entire municipality was called Jalpa de Méndez.

Since December 21, 1883, according to the Organic Law of the Territorial Division of the State, Jalpa is one of the 17 municipalities of the entity.

On March 31, 1887, by decree of the local congress, the population of Jalpa was called Jalpa de Méndez in honor of the "Bemérito de Tabasco" and named 'favorite son of Jalpa', Colonel Gregorio Méndez Magaña, Tabasco hero who fought against the French intervention in Tabasco in the years from 1863 to 1866, expelling the invaders from Tabasco, Palizada and the Island from Carmen.

The town of Jalpa de Méndez was elevated to the category of city on May 26, 1955.

Population

The municipality has an indigenous population of 101 inhabitants, of them, 10 speak the Chontal language of Tabasco, 15 Mayan, 43 Zapotec and the rest are made up of other ethnic groups such as Mixteca, Chinanteca, Popoluca, Mazatec, Nahuatl, Chol, tlapaneco, tseltal and others that together add up to 33.

According to the results of the 2010 General Population and Housing Census of the INEGI, the municipality has 83,356 inhabitants: 34,906 men (49.32%), and 35,858 women (50.67%), which represents 3.74% of the population total of the state, the municipality registering a population density of 122 inhabitants per km².

Of 191 deaths of adults that occurred, 115 were men and 76 women. Among children under 1 year of age there were 11 deaths: 6 boys and 5 girls.

484 marriages and 49 divorces were carried out; Of the 57,131 births that occurred that year in the state, 3.21% corresponded to Paraíso.

Geography

Orography

Most of the surface of this municipality is flat, with few hills. This condition encourages excess humidity. The altitude of the municipal seat is 10 meters above sea level.

Hydrography

The municipality receives the waters of the Nacajuca River, which serves as a natural limit with the municipality of Cunduacán, and the El Naranjo River, bordering the municipality of Nacajuca. In the Northwest, the Cucuxchapa River is the limit with the municipality of Paraíso and the Chiquistero River serves as the limit with the municipality of Centla.

The most important lagoons are: Pomposú, El Eslabón, La Negrita, San Agustín, El Provecho, La Tinaja and El Troncón.

Climate

The climate is warm and humid with thermal changes in the months of November and December; There is an average annual temperature of 26.42 °C, with the maximum being 48.5 °C, and the minimum being 12.5 °C.

The precipitation regime is characterized by a total water fall of 1,692 millimeters with a maximum monthly average of 696 milliliters in the month of October and a monthly minimum of 20.4 milliliters in the month of April.

The annual average relative humidity is estimated at 82% with a maximum of 86% in the months of January and February, and a minimum of 75% in the month of May.

The highest wind speeds are concentrated in the months of November and December, with speeds that reach 32 kilometers per hour, with the lowest wind speeds occurring in June with a speed of 25 km/h.

Flora and fauna

In Jalpa de Méndez you can find a great variety of flora and fauna.

• Fauna: pericos, cotorras, herons, and manaties and crocodiles can be found.
• Flora: you can find mangroves, swamps and moisturizers.

Economy

Primary sector

Main products, sectors and services of the municipality.

Agriculture

Basic grains such as corn and beans are grown, although the main crop is represented by cocoa.

In 1997 the planted area was 7,859 hectares, of which the cocoa activity occupied 4,376 hectares, a figure that represented 55.68% of the total area; corn 2,522 ha, which represented 32.09%; coconut with 645 hectares represented 8.21% and fruit trees with 110 hectares accounted for 2.51%.

Livestock

It is another important sector in the local economy. This activity is practiced extensively. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics, in 1997 there were 41,469 heads of cattle, 17,249 pigs, 1,169 sheep, 1,072 horses and 115,824 poultry.

Fishing

There are a series of lagoons in the municipality that in total form an area of 2,320 hectares of water, which are just beginning to be used in aquaculture tasks.

Secondary Sector

Industry

The branch of industry is not very significant, only the exploitation of the Mecoacán oil field stands out. The local industry operates based on family-type establishments, where the technology used is rudimentary to produce intermediate products for immediate consumption and crafts.

Tertiary Sector

Trade

The city of Jalpa de Méndez, which is the municipal seat, is the most important urban and commercial center of the municipality, there is a considerable commercial movement, driven mainly by having shopping centers of national and international chains.

In addition, the city has services such as stationery stores, hardware stores, carpentry stores, candy stores, grocery stores, shoe stores, inns, restaurants, ice cream parlors, clothing stores, beauty salons, veterinary clinics and bookstores.

Services

The municipality has banking service, ATM, hotel, restaurant, inn, cafeteria, Internet, car (taxi) place, automotive service workshops; body shops and painting, beauty salons, hairdressers, medical services, and 24-hour pharmacies.

Communications

An intricate network of state highways and municipal and neighborhood roads cross the municipality. The most important are:

• The state road Villahermosa-Comalcalco that communicates to the municipal header with the capital of the state Villahermosa, and the cities of Comalcalco and Nacajuca.
• The state road Samaria-Jalpa de Méndez, which communicates with the municipality of Cunduacán.
• The Tulipán-Jalpa state road of Méndez, which communicates with the federal highway n.o 187 Mal Paso-El Bellote.
• The state road Jalpa de Méndez-Chiltepec, which communicates with the municipality of Paraíso.

Tourism

Central Park

Gardened with palm trees, almond trees, ficus and a wide variety of ornamental plants. Its plaza and walkways are cobbled, a circular fountain stands out in the center of which a large gourd was built with magnificent carvings that represents the typical crafts of the municipality.

Church of Saint Francis of Assisi

Located in the municipal seat, it is one of the most beautiful churches in Tabasco, worth visiting. Restored a few years ago, its façade and beautifully decorated interior dome are worthy of admiration.

There are typical Tabasco towns with indigenous populations; such as Ayapa where the church of San Miguel Arcángel is located and Mecoacán, with its church of San Mateo, whose facades are decorated with striking colors.

House Museum of Colonel Gregorio Méndez

The Col. House Museum. Gregorio Méndez Magaña, is located in a house whose construction dates back to the beginning of the XIX century, and Colonel Gregorio Méndez was born there. Magaña, soldier who defeated the pro-imperialist forces in the Battle of El Jahuactal and in the Taking of San Juan Bautista.

The walls are made of annealed red partition and the roof is made of tile on wooden reinforcement. Although it has been restored several times, it still retains its original characteristics. On March 27, 1984, it was inaugurated as a museum and has six rooms, where weapons, drawings, photographs, oil paintings, historical documents, relics, carved gourds and personal objects of the colonel are exhibited.

House of Culture

Temporary exhibitions of painting and drawing, music classes and respective instruments are held; In addition, cultural events on weekends and during the festivities of the neighboring communities of this municipality. They carry out karate, aerobics, ballet, modern dance and folk dance presentations; highlighting the Tabasco zapateo dance.

Pomposú Lagoon

It is a tourist center located very close to the municipal seat, it has restaurants where you can taste exquisite dishes based mainly on seafood. In the lagoon you can swim and take boat tours.

Crafts

They are represented by the traditional and typical "carved gourds", which are one of the most sought-after Tabasco crafts by tourists. These creations of Jalapaneco artisans constitute true works of art that are the pride of Tabasco.

Popular festivals

• January 20: Carnival start.
• May 26-31: Municipal Fair.
• 1.o as at 31 May: Feast of the Virgin Mary.
• 17-24 June: Feast in honor of San Juan Bautista in Iquinuapa and in Villa Jalupa.
• 27-30 September: Fiesta de San Miguel Arcángel in Ayapa.
• September 18-21: Fiesta de San Mateo in Mecoacán.

Main locations

• Jalpa de Méndez (Cabecera municipal). It is located the main public buildings of the municipality and state and federal representations. The main economic activities are agriculture, livestock, fisheries, trade, services, handicrafts and the family food industry. The approximate population is 60,500 and is located 35 kilometres away. of the capital. the state.

• Jalupa: The main activity is agriculture. The distance to the municipal capital is 5.5 kilometres, and the population is approximately 4,800. It has various services, and direct transport to Villahermosa, Jalpa and Nacajuca, in addition to its proximity to the municipality of Cunduacán. Colinda con la ranchería El Rio, Santa Ana, Tierra Adentro, La Concepción, La Cruz y Tierras Peleadas.

• Ayapa: The preponderant activity is the cattle ranch, followed by the manufacture of jícaras, in its jurisdiction is the “Ayapa” oil field, with three wells in production. The distance from the municipal capital is 35 kilometers, and its approximate population is 5,640 inhabitants.

• Iquinuapa: The main activities are agriculture and handicrafts. The distance to the municipal capital is 7.5 kilometers, and its approximate population is 3,487 inhabitants.

• Soyataco: The main activity is agriculture. The distance to the municipal capital is 4 kilometres, and its approximate population is 3,255 inhabitants.

• Mecoacán: The main activities are agriculture, poultry, pork farming and oil activity. The distance to the municipal capital is 8 kilometers, and its approximate population is 3229 inhabitants.

• Hermenegildo Galeana 2.a: The main activity is agriculture of cocoa plantations and copra. The distance to the municipal capital is 6 kilometres, and its approximate population is 1259 inhabitants.
• Amatitan: Various types of activities such as agriculture, livestock, as well as oil zone.