JALAPA (or JALAPA ENRIQUEZ), a city of Mexico and capital of the State of Veracruz, 70m. by rail N.W. of the port of Veracruz. Pop. (1930) 36,812. It is picturesquely situated on the slopes of the sierra which separates the central plateau from the tierra caliente of the gulf coast, at an elevation of 4,300 ft., and with the Cofre de Perote behind it rising to a height of 13, 419 feet. Its climate is cool and healthy and the town is fre
quented in the hot season by the wealthier residents of Vera cruz. The r:ity is well built, in the old Spanish style. Among its public buildings are a fine old church, a Franciscan convent founded by Cortes in 1556, and three hospitals, one of which, that of San Juan de Dios, dates from colonial times.