city, capital of Chiapas estado (state), southeastern Mexico. It lies at about 1,740 feet (530 metres) above sea level, 7.5 miles (12 km) west of the Grijalva River and about 240 miles (390 km) east of Oaxaca. In 1892 Tuxtla replaced San Cristóbal de Las Casas as the state capital. In addition to its administrative functions, Tuxtla is the major commercial and manufacturing centre in the state. Petroleum and natural gas fields in southeastern Chiapas, exploited since the late 20th century, have greatly increased its economic importance. Much of the corn (maize), cotton, cacao, coffee, tobacco, sugarcane, henequen, and other tropical crops cultivated in the region are processed and consumed in the city.

Tuxtla is the site of the Autonomous University of Chiapas (1975) and the University of Arts and Sciences of Chiapas (founded 1893; university status 1995); the Regional Museum of Chiapas (1939) has archaeological and historical collections. The city also has a zoo and a botanical garden. The fair of Guadalupe, held each December, attracts visitors, but civil unrest in Chiapas has discouraged large-scale international tourism. Tuxtla is linked by the Pan-American Highway with Mexico City and Guatemala City, Guat., and it has an airfield. Pop. (2000) 424,579.