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Puebla (city)

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Puebla is a major city in central Mexico.

Centar grada Pueble
Centar grada Pueble

It is the capital of the state of Puebla. It is also the fourth-largest city in the country.

Centar Pueble
Centar Pueble

The city sits in a valley in the southern part of Central Mexico. It is located on the main path between Mexico City and the port of Veracruz. This location makes it a very important hub for the region.

Puebla City in 1869. Lithograph of the new railway station (cropped)
Puebla City in 1869. Lithograph of the new railway station (cropped)

Building the city was a careful plan. In 1530, a bishop named Julián Garcés wrote to the Spanish queen. He said a new settlement was needed between the capital and the sea. Legend says the bishop had a dream about a beautiful valley. He saw angels descend from heaven to trace the city.

Fundación de la Puebla 004
Fundación de la Puebla 004

This is why the city is often called the City of Angels. The first attempt to settle the area in 1531 failed because of floods.

Fundación de la Puebla 002
Fundación de la Puebla 002

Eventually, people moved to higher ground to stay dry.

Over many years, the city grew and changed. The Spanish Crown gave the city a special coat of arms in 1538.

Cédula Real de la Ciudad de Puebla
Cédula Real de la Ciudad de Puebla

The city layout follows a classic Spanish design. It is centered around a main plaza called the Zócalo. In the 1600s, many people from Portugal moved there. The city also became a place for many different markets called tianguis.

Biblioteca Palafoxiana Puebla. Agosto 2009
Biblioteca Palafoxiana Puebla. Agosto 2009

In 1862, the city was renamed Puebla de Zaragoza. This change honored Ignacio Zaragoza after a famous battle.

Sitio puebla
Sitio puebla

Today, Puebla is a busy place with millions of people.

Estadio Cuauhtémoc en 2016
Estadio Cuauhtémoc en 2016

The metropolitan area has about 3,344,000 residents. Most people work in large industries. There is a huge Volkswagen factory in the area.

Puebla City in 1869. Lithograph of the new railway station (cropped)
Puebla City in 1869. Lithograph of the new railway station (cropped)

There is also an Audi plant nearby. Many students come to the city for university. They attend schools like BUAP and UDLAP.

Museo Internacional del Barroco
Museo Internacional del Barroco

Visitors love Puebla for its art and food. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Centar grada Pueble
Centar grada Pueble

You can see beautiful buildings in the Mexican Baroque style.

Capilla Rosario Puebla
Capilla Rosario Puebla

The city is famous for delicious mole poblano.

Mole in Puebla
Mole in Puebla

You can also try chiles en nogada.

Chile en nogada
Chile en nogada

Many people also buy beautiful Talavera pottery.

TalaveraPlateMAPDF
TalaveraPlateMAPDF

It is a place where history and modern life meet.

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🖼️ Images & Media (27)
File:Fundación de la Puebla 004.JPG
Fundación de la Puebla 004.JPG
File:Fundación de la Puebla 002.JPG
Fundación de la Puebla 002.JPG
File:Cédula Real de la Ciudad de Puebla.JPG
Cédula Real de la Ciudad de Puebla.JPG
File:Biblioteca Palafoxiana Puebla. Agosto 2009.JPG
Biblioteca Palafoxiana Puebla. Agosto 2009.JPG
File:Capilla.jpg
Capilla.jpg
File:Sitio puebla.jpg
Sitio puebla.jpg
File:Puebla City in 1869. Lithograph of the new railway station (cropped).jpg
Puebla City in 1869. Lithograph of the...
File:Mexico Popocatepetl.jpg
Mexico Popocatepetl.jpg
File:Teleferico Puebla.jpg
Teleferico Puebla.jpg
File:Museo Internacional del Barroco.jpg
Museo Internacional del Barroco.jpg
File:Café en el parque lineal.JPG
Café en el parque lineal.JPG
File:Teatro Principal, Puebla, México, 2013-10-11, DD 04.JPG
Teatro Principal, Puebla, México,...

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