SAN ANDRS TUXTLA

formerly Los Tuxtlas, city, southeastern Veracruz estado (state), south-central Mexico. It lies on the slopes of San Martn volcano, along the Tuxtla River, at an elevation of 1,181 feet (360 m) above sea level. The town was founded by Ixtlecos Indians in 1664, after the eruption of the volcano, and was made a city in 1893. Corn (maize), high-quality tobacco, sugarcane, and fruits all flourish in the hot, rainy climate, but San Andrs Tuxtla is best known as the centre of Mexico's most important bean-growing region. Cattle are also raised in the vicinity, and handicrafts made of palm fronds are manufactured in the city. It is a rail terminus and is on the coastal highway linking Veracruz, to the northwest, and Coatzacoalcos, to the southeast. The city also has an airfield. Pop. (1980) 40,412.