San Cristóbal

Town in the centre of the state of Chiapas in Mexico; population (1995) 116,700. Situated in the central plateau of Chiapas at an altitude of 2238 m/7342 ft, it is 80 km/50 mi east of the state capital Tuxtla Gutiérrez. Owing to altitude, the climate is cool with little seasonal variation. The main economic activities of the town are trade, timber processing, and various handicraft industries. There is a growing tourist industry.

Founded in 1527, the town was the state capital until 1892. The church of Santo Domingo, started in 1547, has a carved wooden pulpit. San Cristóbal was at the centre of the 1994 Zapatista uprising, which campaigned for the rights of indigenous people. The town was originally called Ciudad Real, ‘Royal City’.

The volcanoes Zontehuitz and Hueytepec are nearby. In the vicinity of the town there are still many enclaves of the indigenous Chamula, Zinacanteca, and Lacandones Indians.