Date Visited: 5\/11\/22<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
The state of Chiapas is traditionally Mayan, but curiously it has an Aztec name. This is because in 1486 the Aztecs invaded the then named Mayan city of Coyatoc and changed the name, both words mean “place to hunt rabbits.” The Aztecs would not however keep the city for long because in 1518 the first Spanish soldiers sailed down the now named Grijalva River to take over the area.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
During the colonial period the Spanish ruled Chiapas as a state of Guatemala colonies, which worked for several years until in 1810 Mexico declared independence and started a war with Spain. By 1821 the war got to Central America, specifically Guatemala. Guatemala ended up breaking up, most of those states that broke up became their own countries, but Chiapas decided to become part of Mexico. The leader of Chiapas during that time was a man named Joaqu\u00edn Miguel Guti\u00e9rrez, he would become the first governor of Chiapas and later would be honored by adding his name to Tuxla Guti\u00e9rrez.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\n\t\t