Tapachula is a city and
municipality located in the far southwest of the state of
Chiapas in
Mexico, near the
Guatemalan border and the Pacific Ocean. It is one of the most important cities of Chiapas economically as the capital of the agriculturally rich
Soconusco region as well as port for trade between Mexico and
Central America. The area was originally inhabited by the
Mame-Maya as a region under the control of the Mame state of
Xelaju but was first established as a city by the
Aztecs in the 13th century. Most of its economic importance has come since the late 19th century with the establishment of coffee plantations. This agricultural production began a history of migration into the area which continues to this day and has left the city with a significant Asian and German cultural presence as well as large Mayan and Nahua indigenous populations.