Tlalpan, Large administrative district in Mexico City, Mexico
Tlalpan is an administrative district in the southern part of Mexico City, stretching from the urban center to forested mountain slopes. The borough combines residential neighborhoods with parks, schools, and large conservation areas covered in pine and oak forests.
In the late 1820s this place served as the capital of the State of Mexico under the name San Agustín de las Cuevas. Later it became part of the growing metropolis while keeping large forest areas within its territory.
The name comes from the Nahuatl word for sandy or earthy ground, describing the original landscape here. Today you see small shops and markets scattered among the neighborhoods where families do their shopping and gather on weekends.
Visitors planning to explore this area should prepare for varying elevations and temperatures, as the mountain forests are cooler than the city center. Most natural areas are accessible via walking trails, though some steep sections require good footwear and fitness.
A large share of the capital's water supply comes from underground sources and wells located here in the southern mountains. Also found in this area is an ancient round pyramid from pre-colonial times that lay buried under volcanic ash until archaeologists uncovered it.
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