in full Puebla de Zaragoza
City (pop., 2000: 1,271,673), capital of Puebla state, southeastern Mexico.
Founded in 1532, it lies on a plain about 7,100 ft (2,165 m) above sea level in the Sierra Madre Oriental foothills. Located between Mexico City and Veracruz , it was occupied by U.S. forces during the Mexican War . Its Spanish colonial architecture is similar to that of the city of Toledo , Spain. The centre of an important agricultural and industrial region, it is also known for its glazed ceramic tiles, glass, and pottery. In 1973 the city was shaken by a severe earthquake.