Altotonga

{{Infobox settlement |name = Altotonga |official_name = |other_name = |nickname = |settlement_type = [[Municipalities of Mexico|Municipality]] |total_type =  |motto =  | image_skyline = {{Photomontage | photo1a = Palacio Municipal de Altotonga.JPG | photo1b = | photo2a = Hermoso Paisaje - panoramio.jpg | photo2b = Parque de Altotonga 2.JPG | photo3a = Casona de Altotonga.JPG | photo3b = Iglesia de Altotonga de Noche.JPG | spacing = 2 | position = center | color_border = white | color = white | size = 280 | foot_montage = Top: Altotonga Municipal Palace; Middle: Altotonga forest landscape, Altotonga main plaza; Bottom: Altotonga Downtown, María Magdalena Church }} | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = Escudo de Altotonga.svg | shield_size = | city_logo = | citylogo_size = | image_map = | mapsize = | map_caption = | image_map1 = | mapsize1 = | map_caption1 = | image_dot_map = | dot_mapsize = | dot_map_caption = | dot_x = | dot_y = | pushpin_map = Mexico Veracruz#Mexico | pushpin_label_position = above | pushpin_mapsize = 300 | pushpin_map_caption = Location in Mexico  | subdivision_type = Country | subdivision_name = {{flag|Mexico}} | subdivision_type1 = [[States of Mexico|State]] | subdivision_name1 = [[Veracruz]] | subdivision_type2 = Region | subdivision_name2 = [[Capital Region, Veracruz|Capital Region]] | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 =  | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_party = [[Institutional Revolutionary Party|PRI]] | leader_title = [[Municipal president|Mayor]] | leader_name = Rozaz 250 | leader_title1 =  | leader_name1 = | leader_title2 = | leader_name2 = | leader_title3 = | leader_name3 = | leader_title4 = | leader_name4 = | established_title = | established_date = | established_title2 = | established_date2 = | established_title3 = | established_date3 =  | area_magnitude = | unit_pref =  | area_footnotes = | area_total_km2 = 328.7 | area_land_km2 =  | area_water_km2 = | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | area_water_sq_mi = | area_water_percent = | area_urban_km2 = | area_urban_sq_mi = | area_metro_km2 = | area_metro_sq_mi = | area_blank1_title = | area_blank1_km2 = | area_blank1_sq_mi =  | population_as_of = 2020 | population_footnotes = | population_note = | population_total = 64,234 | population_density_km2 = 189.7 | population_density_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = Seat | population_blank1 = 21,640  | population_blank2_title = | population_blank2 = | population_density_blank1_km2 = | population_density_blank1_sq_mi =  | timezone = [[Time in Mexico|Central]] [[Central Standard Time Zone|(US Central)]] | utc_offset = -6 | coordinates = {{coord|19|45|58|N|97|14|44|W|region:MX|display=inline,title}} | elevation_point = of seat | elevation_m = 2,500 | elevation_ft =  | postal_code_type = Postal code (of seat)  | postal_code = 93700 | area_code = | blank_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]] | blank_info = [[Alpine climate|ET]] | blank1_name = [[Demonym]] | blank1_info = | website = {{in lang|es}} | footnotes = }} {{Historical populations |1995 | 48,827 |2000 | 53,241 |2005 | 56,962 |2010 | 60,396 |2015 | 65,548 |2020 | 64,234 |footnote=<ref name=2020CENSUSALTOTONGA/> }}

'''Altotonga''' ({{langx|es|Municipio de Altotonga}}) is a [[Municipalities of Veracruz|municipality]] in the [[Mexico|Mexican]] [[List of states of Mexico|state]] of [[Veracruz]]. It is located about 80 km northwest of the state capital [[Xalapa]]. It has an area of 328.7 km<sup>2</sup> It is located at {{coord|19|46|N|97|15|W|}}.

Altotonga is delimited to the east by [[Misantla]], to the south by [[Tenochtitlán, Veracruz|Tenochtitlán]], [[Tatatila]], [[Las Minas, Veracruz|Las Minas]], [[Villa Aldama]] and [[Perote, Veracruz|Perote]], to the west by [[Jalacingo]], and to the north by [[Atzalan]] and [[Misantla]].<ref name="elocal">{{cite web|url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/veracruz/municipios/30010a.htm|title=Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México: Altotonga|publisher=Gobierno Estatal|language=es|access-date=2009-05-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127135914/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/veracruz/municipios/30010a.htm|archive-date=2007-01-27|url-status=dead}}</ref>

It produces [[maize]], [[beans]] and [[potatoes]].

==History== ===Pre-[[Christopher Columbus|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 [[Agriculture|agricultural]] practices, architecture, and [[trade]] networks. They were part of a broader [[mesoamerica|Mesoamerican]] cultural region that included other significant civilizations such as the [[Aztecs]] and the [[Maya peoples|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 of|2020}} the municipality had a population of 64,234 inhabitants in 105 localities.<ref name=2020CENSUSALTOTONGA>[http://ceieg.veracruz.gob.mx/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2022/09/Altotonga.CM_.Ver_.2022.4.pdf 2020 Altotonga CENSUS]</ref> About a third reside 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.).<ref name=2020CENSUSALTOTONGA/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{in lang|es}} [http://www.altotonga.gob.mx Municipal Official Site] * {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20110721171219/http://portal.veracruz.gob.mx/portal/page?_pageid=153,4493464&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&municipio=altotonga.pdf Municipal Official Information]

[[Category:Municipalities of Veracruz]]