Cotaxtla

{{Infobox settlement | official_name = | name = Cotaxtla | other_name = | native_name =  | nickname = | settlement_type = [[Municipalities of Mexico|Municipality]] and town | total_type = | motto =  | image_skyline = | image_flag = | flag_size = | image_seal = | seal_size = | image_shield = | 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 = [[Sotavento Region]] | subdivision_type3 = | subdivision_name3 = | subdivision_type4 = | subdivision_name4 =  | government_footnotes = | government_type = | leader_party = [[National Action Party (Mexico)|PAN]] | leader_title = [[Municipal president|Mayor]] | leader_name = José Santurino Beltrán Vásquez | 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 = 537.8 | 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 = 22,050 | population_density_km2 = 41 | population_density_sq_mi = | population_blank1_title = Seat | population_blank1 = 1,316  | 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 | timezone_DST = Central | utc_offset_DST = -5 | coordinates = {{coord|18|50|N|96|23|W|region:MX|display=inline,title}} | elevation_point = | elevation_m = 18 | elevation_ft =  | postal_code_type = Postal code (of seat)  | postal_code = 94990 | area_code = | blank_name = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]] | blank_info = [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]] | blank1_name = [[Demonym]] | blank1_info = | website = {{in lang|es}} [https://www.cotaxtla.gob.mx/ Municipal Official Site] | footnotes = }} {{Historical populations |1995 | 18,179 |2000 | 18,920 |2005 | 18,821 |2010 | 19,710 |2015 | 21,013 |2020 | 22,050 |footnote=<ref name="COTAXTLACENSUS2020"/> }}

'''Cotaxtla''' is a town and municipality in the [[Mexico|Mexican]] [[List of states of Mexico|state]] of [[Veracruz]]. It is located 45 km from the city of [[Veracruz (city)|Veracruz]] on [[Mexican Federal Highway|Federal Highway 180]].

==Demographics== {{As of|2020}}, the municipality had a population of 22,050 inhabitants in 209 localities.<ref name="COTAXTLACENSUS2020">{{cite web |url=http://ceieg.veracruz.gob.mx/wp-content/uploads/sites/21/2022/09/Cotaxtla.CM_.Ver_.2022.4.pdf|title=Censo Cotaxtla 2020 |language=es |access-date=August 1, 2023 }}</ref> Cotaxtla, the municipal seat had a population of 1,316 inhabitants as 2020; other localities includes La Tinaja (1,918 hab.), La Capilla (1,496 hab.), Colonia Ejidal (1,160 hab.) and Mata Tejón (612).<ref name="COTAXTLACENSUS2020"/>

==Economy== Major products in Cotaxtla are [[maize|corn]], [[sugar]], and [[fruit]]s.

==History== Cotaxtla, originally known in Nahuatl as Cuetlaxtlan, was a prehispanic settlement. [[Nahuatl]] was apparently the main language, though some of the people in this region may have been called ''Pinome'', meaning non-Nahuatl speakers. The local economy was based upon agricultural staples and riverine and marine resources, and birds (such as parrots), fruits (such as cherries), and game (such as deer) were also local products.

Cuetlaxtlan was a front of proxy conflict between the [[Aztec Empire]] and [[Tlaxcala (Nahua state)|Tlaxcala]]. It was conquered by [[Nezahualcoyotl (tlatoani)|Nezahualcoyotl]] and/or [[Moctezuma I]] and the Tlaxcaltecas were unable to defend it. It was then incorporated into the Aztec Empire as a tributary province and was obliged to offer mantas, cacao, tropical feathers and amber. A [[Mexica]] governor/tribute collector, bestowed with the title ''Pinotecuhtli'' (lord of the Pinome), was installed here and expanded the tribute to include gems, animal skins, sea shells, fish, and shellfish.

Nonetheless, Cuetlaxtlan remained a restless area, which was encouraged by Tlaxcala as a way to undermine Aztec power. It did eventually rebel, which forced [[Axayacatl]] to reconquer the area. He then proceeded to replace the local rulers and install a new Mexica governor. From this point on the tribute consisted of large amounts of mantas, warrior costumes, precious stones, tropical feathers, a royal badge of quetzal feathers, lip plugs of crystal and amber, and cacao. The Aztecs built fortifications and a garrison here. At the time of the Spanish conquest, the ''calpixqui'' (tribute collector) was named Teniltzin.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Berdan |first1=Frances |title=Aztec imperial strategies |date=1996 |publisher=Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection |location=Washington, D.C |isbn=9780884022114 |page=286}}</ref>

In September 2010, the city suffered widespread damage from [[Hurricane Karl (2010)|Hurricane Karl]] which inundated the area with floods up to {{convert|12|m|ft|abbr=on}} deep.

==References== {{Reflist}}

== External links == * {{in lang|es}} [http://www.cotaxtla.gob.mx Municipal Official Site] * {{in lang|es}} [https://web.archive.org/web/20120215021344/http://portal.veracruz.gob.mx/portal/page?_pageid=153%2C4493464&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL&municipio=cotaxtla.pdf Municipal Official Information]

[[Category:Populated places in Veracruz]]