San Cristóbal de las Casas
From Freepedia
San Cristóbal de las Casas is a city in the central highlands of the state of Chiapas, Mexico. It is located in the Sierra Madre Mountains at 16.75°N 92.63°W, elevation 2100m.
PlaceOpedia (Google map location)
In 2003 the estimated population was 121,100 people.
The city was formerly known as "San Cristóbal"; the "de las Casas" was added in honor of Bartolomé de Las Casas, a Spanish priest who fought for the rights of the Native Americans. The city is well known for its beautiful colonial era architecture.
The city is located near the Tzotzil Maya communities of Chamula, and Zinacantán, and a half-day bus ride from the Classic Maya ruins of Palenque, and is therefore a popular base of operations for European and US tourists looking to experience ancient and modern Maya culture.
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 traces of the Zapatistas are still omnipresent (e.g., graffiti, dolls, posters, t-shirts) in the city.
Photographs
 Panoramic View |
 Mirador |
 Santo Domingo Church |
