Conflicts between the colonial landowners and the indigenous people continued throughout the 19th century. The Mexican Revolution, which started in , barely extended to Chiapas. Nevertheless, large landowners in Chiapas actively participated in the debates that surrounded the conflicts. Many revolutionary leaders demanded reform of the way farm land was distributed and used. Indigenous groups did not join the revolution in favor of land reform demands. When the revolution came to an end, the Institutional Revolutionary Party PRI emerged as the only important political party.
An alliance between PRI leaders and large Chiapas landowners prevented the land reforms from reaching Chiapas and benefiting the indigenous communities. Chiapas remained one of the poorest states, with one of the largest indigenous populations. In Chiapas, unlike other states, the indigenous population remained autonomous and experienced little interaction with the local government, controlled primarily by the landed state elite.
The indigenous armed revolt, initiated on January 1, , combined opposition to globalization, rejection of free trade, and indigenous demands for land, respect, and political and cultural autonomy. Although the movement successfully brought indigenous demands and concerns over their values and cultural traditions to the forefront of the international debate, the movements' ambitious goals of evolving into a new national revolutionary force that could topple the PRI government eventually failed when the rest of Mexico experienced a process of democratic consolidation starting in the mid s and ending with the PRI defeat in the presidential elections.
They carried machetes and sticks and lit bonfires in the center of the city to protest government actions. EZLN protests government treatment of indigenous people. The state governor is the most influential and powerful political figure. Elected for a nonrenewable six-year term, the governor is the chief executive. A ministerial cabinet is appointed by and accountable to the governor. Formal separation of power and check-and-balance provisions also provide for a unicameral one chamber legislature.
The state congress is comprised of forty deputies. Twenty-four are elected in single member districts and sixteen are elected at large for proportional representation. All deputies serve for nonrenewable three-year terms.
Comprised of municipalities, Chiapas is one of the most ethnically diverse states in Mexico. Local governments have strong power to determine their own rules, especially in the independent indigenous communities.
Political conflicts resulting from the opposition of federal authorities to increased power by indigenous communities regularly force courts to assess the limits of local authorities in exercising power. The PRI, in association with large traditional land-owning families, exercised political control of the state throughout most of the 20th century.
The EZLN rejects electoral politics as a legitimate means of reaching power. The Supreme Tribunal of Justice is the highest court in Chiapas. Its members are appointed by a two-thirds majority in the legislature from a three-person list presented by the governor. Supreme Tribunal justices serve nonrenewable seven-year terms.
In addition, the Chiapas judicial system includes an electoral tribunal, a civil service tribunal, and local and indigenous courts.
There are additional complexities resulting from Chiapas's strong indigenous presence. The indigenous communities use alternative courts and legal systems. Crude oil production, manufacturing, and small-scale agriculture are important segments of the economy.
Chiapas is a major producer of coffee for export. Overall there is little industry in Chiapas. Many workers in Chiapas live in homes with no electricity or running water. They are among the lowest paid workers in Mexico. After one year, workers are entitled by law to six days paid vacation.
Chiapas ranks second among the Mexican states in the production of cacao, the product used to make chocolate. Other crops grown in Chiapas include sugarcane, cotton, bananas, and other fruits. These are grown especially in the lowland regions near the Pacific coast.
Consequently, the identity of the Chiapas Indians was better preserved than that of neighboring cultures. Conflicts between colonial landowners and the indigenous people continued throughout the 19th century. However, the Mexican Revolution , which started in , left Chiapas largely untouched. In the years following the revolution, the Institutional Revolutionary Party PRI quickly became a dominant political force.
Although the revolt brought attention to the needs of the indigenous people, the rebels were not able to overcome the PRI government. The Zapatistas continue to seek governmental autonomy for their communities and promote social and political reform. The primary industries in Chiapas include crude oil production, manufacturing, agriculture and coffee export. Chiapas opened its first assembly plant in , a fact that highlights the historical lack of industry in this area.
Archeological Sites and Ruins A major tourist destination in the area is Palenque, a Mayan archeological site near the Usumacinta River. Chinkultic is another moderate-size archeological ruin in the state. The Chiapanecans chose to throw themselves from the high edges of the canyon rather than be defeated by Spanish forces. Today, the canyon is a popular destination for ecotourism.
The realistically rendered paintings depict human sacrifices, musicians and scenes of the royal court. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. A country rich in history, tradition and culture, Mexico is made up of 31 states and one federal district. It is the third largest country in Latin America and has one of the largest populations—more than million—making it the home of more Spanish speakers than any other The town is also a great departure point for exploring the Sumidero Canyon and the Chiapa de Corzo archeological site.
The most urban place on this list, Tuxtla is where you need to go when you start feeling overwhelmed by nature and want a dose of city and nightlife. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. To allow us to provide a better and more tailored experience please click "OK". Sign Up. Travel Guides. Videos Beyond Hollywood Hungerlust Pioneers of love. Lydia Carey. Chinkultic ruins. Cascadas de Agua Azul.
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