San Cristóbal de Las Casas

Overview

Despite the fact that San Cristóbal is located in a valley, it is still 2100 metres (6900 feet) above sea level. It was the capital of Chiapas until 1892.

The estimated population is 121,100 people. San Cristóbal is often compared to Antigua (Guatemala). It is also situated in an indigenous region that was obviously less exposed to western cultures. But, in fact, it's more sophisticated and aware of the need for preservation of its history and culture.

On many roads, military checkpoints are set up to prevent illegal immigration from Guatemala (or more southern regions) and to intercept drug traffic. Chiapas was known as an unsafe area but the revolutionary violence is only a memory now.

In 1994 the Zapatista Army of National Liberation used San Cristobal as one of the four cities where it began its revolution. Now, ten years later, the only traces of the Zapatistas are graffiti , dolls, posters, and t-shirts.

History