Chilapa de Álvarez | |
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 Vendors selling woven goods in thetianguis of Chilapa | |
  Chilapa de Álvarez  Chilapa de Álvarez | |
| Coordinates:17°35′40″N99°10′40″W / 17.59444°N 99.17778°W /17.59444; -99.17778 | |
| Country |  Mexico |
| State | Guerrero |
| Municipality | Chilapa de Álvarez |
| Population (2010) | |
• Total | 120,790 |
Chilapa de Álvarez, informally known asChilapa, is a town located in themunicipality of Chilapa de Álvarez in theMexican state ofGuerrero. The town is located approximately 54 kilometers east of the state capitalChilpancingo.
Chilapa is noted for its large Saturdaytianguis, or Aztec market, and its crafts.[1] Local culinary specialities of Chilapa includepozole,chalupas,pan de chilapa bread, and homemademezcal. The municipalcathedral has a mechanical figurine ofJuan Diego, who appears at a window in the cathedral spire and drops rose petals onto the plaza below.
Every August 15, a festival calledTigrada is held on the streets of Chilapa. It is linked toMesoamerican mythology and is supposed to call on theAztec godTepēyōllōtl to bring rainfall and productive land.
Traces of human occupation in the area date to 1200 BC. Chilapa's first officialcharter was issued by theAztec government in the 15th century after the area's conquest byMoctezuma I in 1458. Prehispanic Chilapan was aCoixca community and exported foodstuffs, honey andpetates to towns on the Pacific coast in exchange for salt and cacao.[2]
The Spanish officially designated the townChilapa de Santa Maria de Asuncion in 1522; in the late 19th century it was renamedChilapa de Álvarez in honor ofMexican presidentJuan Álvarez.
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