SAN CRISTBAL DE LAS CASAS

city, central Chiapas estado (state), southeastern Mexico. It is situated on the central plateau of Chiapas, at 6,900 feet (2,100 m) above sea level. Founded about 1527 as Villa Real, the settlement was renamed on five occasions before acquiring its present name, which honours Bartolom de Las Casas, the first bishop of Chiapas. Many colonial buildings remain in the city, the most notable of which is Santo Domingo church (1560). The city served as the state capital from its founding until 1892, when its administrative functions were transferred to Tuxtla, 35 miles (60 km) to the west. Agriculture, principally the cultivation of wheat, potatoes, and corn (maize), together with forestry provide much of the city's income. Tanning, distilling, flour milling, canning, lumbering, and handicrafts are the principal industries. It is located on the portion of the Pan-American Highway linking Mexico City with Guatemala City, and it has an airfield. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 89,251.