Tlaxcala

Lore & Background

The name Tlaxcala pre-dates the state by centuries, deriving from the capital city, which also denoted the territory controlled by this city in pre-Hispanic times. According to some historians, the name comes from an ancient word texcalli, meaning 'crag'; an alternative etymology stems from the Nahuatl word Tlaxcallān, meaning 'place of corn tortillas'. The Aztec glyph for this place includes two hills and a hand holding a tortilla. The historical Nahuatl pronunciation was [t͡ɬaʃˈkaːlːan]. Its elements include a red background for courage, a castle for defensive power, an eagle for vigilance, a border for protection and compensation, green palms for victory, and crowns for royal authority. The letters I, K, and F appear, sometimes attributed to Joanna of Castile, Charles I of Spain, and Philip II of Spain, though this attribution is not universally accepted; the use of 'K' for Charles I is nonstandard. Human skulls and cross-bones represent the deaths of the four Tlaxcalan lords who allied with Cortés. Tlaxcala is a land-locked state on the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, with rugged terrain dominated by ridges and deep valleys. The state has no major lakes or large rivers; principal water sources are the Atoyac-Zahuapan basin and the Atlangatepec dam reservoir. While the Tlaxcaltec people initially allied with the Spanish against the Aztecs, their territory was gradually reduced and the promised concessions were steadily eroded over the colonial period.

Reader's Guide

Tlaxcala's significance lies in its unique pre-Hispanic and colonial history. The Tlaxcaltec people allied with the Spanish to defeat the Aztecs, securing concessions that allowed their territory to remain mostly intact throughout the colonial period. Today, most of the state's economy is based on agriculture, light industry, and tourism. The tourist industry is rooted in Tlaxcala's long history, with major attractions including archaeological sites such as Cacaxtla and colonial constructions in and around the state capital. The state is also an important link between Mexico's major eastern port, Veracruz, and Mexico City. As the smallest state in Mexico, Tlaxcala represents a compact but historically rich region that played a pivotal role in the Spanish conquest and subsequent colonial development.

Did You Know?

• Tlaxcala is the smallest state in Mexico, accounting for only 0.2% of the country's territory.
• The name Tlaxcala may derive from the Nahuatl word Tlaxcallān, meaning 'place of corn tortillas'.
• Although the Tlaxcaltec allied with the Spanish against the Aztecs, their territory was gradually reduced and colonial concessions were steadily eroded.