Altotonga

Altotonga (Spanish: Municipio de Altotonga) is a municipality in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It is located about 80 km northwest of the state capital Xalapa. It has an area of 328.7 km² It is located at 19°46′N 97°15′W.

Altotonga
Municipality
Top: Altotonga Municipal Palace; Middle: Altotonga forest landscape, Altotonga main plaza; Bottom: Altotonga Downtown, María Magdalena Church
Coat of arms
Altotonga Location in Mexico Show map of Veracruz Altotonga Altotonga (Mexico) Show map of Mexico
Coordinates: 19°45′58″N 97°14′44″W
Country	Mexico
State	Veracruz
Region	Capital Region
Government
• Mayor	Rozaz 250 (PRI)
Area
• Total	328.7 km2 (126.9 sq mi)
Elevation (of seat)	2,500 m (8,200 ft)
Population  (2020)
• Total	64,234
• Density	189.7/km2 (491/sq mi)
• Seat	21,640
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (US Central))
Postal code (of seat)	93700
Climate	ET
Website	(in Spanish)

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1995	48,827	—
2000	53,241	+9.0%
2005	56,962	+7.0%
2010	60,396	+6.0%
2015	65,548	+8.5%
2020	64,234	−2.0%
[1]

Altotonga is delimited to the east by Misantla, to the south by Tenochtitlán, Tatatila, Las Minas, Villa Aldama and Perote, to the west by Jalacingo, and to the north by Atzalan and Misantla.^[2]

It produces maize, beans and potatoes.

History

Pre-Columbian Era

Before the arrival of the Spanish, the area that is now Altotonga was inhabited by indigenous groups, primarily the Totonac people. The Totonac civilization was known for its advanced agricultural practices, architecture, and trade networks. They were part of a broader Mesoamerican cultural region that included other significant civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Maya.

Spanish Colonization

With the Spanish conquest of Mexico in the early 16th century, the region came under Spanish control. The Spanish imposed new administrative and religious structures, leading to significant changes in the local way of life. The introduction of Christianity and the encomienda system, which was a form of labor exploitation, had lasting impacts on the indigenous population and culture.

Post-Independence Era

After Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821, Altotonga, like many other regions, underwent political and social changes. The 19th century was a period of instability and transformation in Mexico, with various internal conflicts and reforms shaping the nation. During this time, Altotonga developed as a local center for agriculture and trade.

Modern Era

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Altotonga has continued to grow and modernize while maintaining its cultural heritage. The town and its surrounding areas are known for their natural beauty, including rivers and forests, which contribute to local tourism. Agriculture remains an important part of the local economy, with crops such as coffee and corn being significant.

Demographics

As 2020 the municipality had a population of 64,234 inhabitants in 105 localities.^[1] About a third resides in the municipal seat, other localities include Juan Marcos (3,039 hab.), Ahueyahualco (2,944 hab.), Tezahuapan de Juárez (2,143 hab.) and Gutiérrez Zamora (1,828 hab.).^[1]