Villahermosa

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Villahermosa
native_name =
nickname = The green city, La Esmeralda del Sureste
motto =

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image_caption = Laguna de las Ilusiones


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map_caption = Location of Villahermosa
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = flag|Mexico
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = flag|Tabasco
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Evaristo Hernández Cruz (PRI)
leader_title1 =
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leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
established_title = Founded
established_date = 24 June 1596
established_title2 =
established_date2 =
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established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 61.177
area_total_sq_mi = 23.62
area_land_km2 =
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area_water_km2 =
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area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 = 1612
area_metro_sq_mi = 622.4
population_as_of = 2005 census
population_note =
population_total = 658 524
population_density_km2 =
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population_metro =
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timezone = Central Standard Time
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST =
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elevation_m = 10
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type =
postal_code = 86000 (Center)
website = [http://www.villahermosa.gob.mx/ www.villahermosa.gob.mx]
footnotes =

Villahermosa ( _es. Beautiful Village) is the capital city of the Mexican state of Tabasco, and the municipal seat of the Centro municipality. Villahermosa reported a population of 658,524 in the 2005 census, whereas its Centro municipality had 558,524 inhabitants. The municipality covers an area of 1,612 km² (622.4 sq mi). The city is located at 863 kilometers from Mexico City, and 998 kilometers from Cancun, making it the virtual equidistant stopover point between these two world-renowned centers of tourism.

The city

Tabasco's political powers reside here. It is the main city of the state of Tabasco and is home to the state's largest population. The city is an important business center for the Mexican oil industry. In 2008, the city consisted of 33 colonias and "fraccionamientos." Also known as "La Esmeralda del Sureste" (The Emerald of the Southeast), Villahermosa is a modern city rich in natural resources, in terms of both agriculture and farming. The city is served by major merchants, such as Liverpool, Fabricas de Francia, Wal-Mart, and Home Depot. All the major national banks are represented in the city as well.

History

Founded officially on 24 June 1596 by Spaniards on the banks of the Grijalva River under the name of "Villa Hermosa", in 1826 the village was raised to the rank of city under the name of "San Juan Bautista" (Saint John the Baptist). The Republic of Texas Navy captured the city on November 20, 1840 demanding $25,000 in silver. [The Texas Navy Association, [http://www.texasnavy.com/] ] [The Handbook of Texas Online [Texas State Historical Association] ] The city was captured and occupied by U.S. forces after the battle of Tabasco during the Mexican-American War. During the French intervention in Mexico, French troops occupied the city. In 1916, the governor of Tabasco, Francisco J. Múgica, ordered to restore the city's name to "Villahermosa". [Enciclopedia de Municipios de México, [Tabasco - Centro] ]

Today Villahermosa is a modern city in southeast Mexico and, possibly only after Merida, Yucatan, it is the most important business and commercial point in the long stretch between Mexico City and Cancun.

Religion

Like the rest of the Mexican Republic, Tabasco's population is mostly Catholic, with many Protestant sects also represented. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) have several churches here, as well as one of its few Temples outside of the United States.

Health

The city is served by a large number of both private and public health-care institutions, hospitals, and clinics. Both ambulatory (same-day) centers as well as extended stay centers serve the city. General as well as specialized hospitals provide care in the city. Amongst its specialized health care institutions are a Women's Hospital, a Children's Hospital. There are also various government institutions located here, including the ISSTE and the IMSS Medical Centers. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has a hospital here as well, Hospital del Sureste. There is also a the well-respected Hospital Los Angeles.

Places of interest

*Teatro Iris Arts Center
*Plaza de Armas Villahermosa (main square)
*Zona Luz (downtown)
*Catedral del Señor de Tabasco (Cathedral of the Lord of Tabasco)
*CICOM complex
*La Venta Museum-Park - has a large collection of Olmec artifacts and a small zoo
*Tomás Garrido Canabal Park
*Museum of the History of Tabasco
*Galerías Tabasco 2000 (shopping mall)
*Yumká (zoo where animals roam freely)
*Tulipanes Restaurant (local catering)
*La Choca Park
*Tabasco Park - a 'must see' during the Feria festivities
*Papagayo Children's Museum
*Malecón "Carlos A. Madrazo" (levee beside the Grijalva River)
*Ésquimos de la Catedral (refreshing drink made of vanilla, strawberries, milk, and crushed ice)

Air travel

The city is served by the several national air carriers as well as by a direct international flight to Houston via Continental Airlines. Its airport, the Carlos Rovirosa Pérez International Airport, is a modern airport with many facilities. It is operated by "Aeropuertos del Sureste de Mexico" (ASUR) and has recently seen a significant expansion. This airport was the destination for the 1929 Mexicana inagural flight. The city is the closest destination to the ancient Mayan ruins at Palenque.

Geography and natural resources

Villahermosa is located in the southeast of Mexico between the rivers Grijalva and Carrizal. The average elevation of the city is 10 meters above sea level. The city also has several lagoons, the largest and most important of them being "La Laguna de las Ilusiones" (Illusions Lagoon).

The most important city thoroughfares are Paseo Tabasco, Gregorio Méndez Avenue, the Periférico, Ruiz Cortines Avenue, and Pino Suárez Avenue.

Climate

climate chart|Villahermosa
19|28|116
20|29|90
21|32|49
23|34|44
24|35|102
24|35|225
24|34|173
24|34|242
24|33|303
23|31|324
22|30|177
20|29|166
float=left
source= [http://smn.cna.gob.mx/]

Like most of the Tabasco, Villahermosa has a tropical climate. Temperatures during spring and summer seasons reach upwards of 40°C, with humidity levels hovering around 90% during the same period. During its short winter, Villahermosa's climate is very humid but temperatures decrease to around 15°C.

The most stunning season of the year is spring, as the framboyán, guayacán, macuilis, and other tropical vegetation bloom and dress the city with a beautiful sense of joy along its major thoroughfares.

In October 2007, Villahermosa suffered its worst flood in recorded history. Several hundred thousand people were displaced because of flooded homes.

Education

The city has an extensive network of elementary, secondary, and college-preparatory educational centers.

It is also home to the most important universities of the state of Tabasco, among them:
*Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco (UJAT)
*Instituto Tecnológico de Villahermosa
*Universidad Tecnológica de Tabasco
*Universidad del Valle de México
*Universidad Mundo Maya - "Principio de Grandeza" [http://www.umma.com.mx/villahermosa/admi/index.php UMMA]
*Universidad Olmeca
*Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara Campus Tabasco

Twinning

Villahermosa has two sister cities. They are:

* San Bernardino, California, United States
* Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico

ee also

References

Further reading

* [http://www.inegi.gob.mx/est/contenidos/espanol/sistemas/conteo2005/localidad/iter/ Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática]
* [http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_tabasco Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México]

External links

* [http://www.villahermosa.gob.mx Ayuntamiento del Centro (Municipality of Centro)]
* [http://www.tabascohoy.com Diario Tabasco Hoy (state and regional news)]
* [http://www.paraisotabascoweb.com Paraíso Tabasco (Municipio de Tabasco)]
* [http://www.tabasco.gob.mx Gobierno del Estado de Tabasco (Tabasco state government)]
* [http://www.travelvillahermosa.com Hoteles en Villahermosa]
*wikitravel