TLAXCALA or TLASCALA, fin s-kii!In ( land of maize). The smallest State of Mex ico, hounded by the State of Hidalgo on the north, Puebla on the east and south, and Mexico on the west. Area, 1.595 square miles (Slap: Mexico, K 8). The State lies within the central plateau of Mexico at an elevation of about 7000 feet above the sea. Several mountain peaks rise on the western and the southern frontiers and reach in the Sierra Malinche an altitude of 13,475 feet. The rivers are short and unnavigable. Tlaxcala has a comparatively cool climate, and frosts are not infrequent. The chief industry of the State is agriculture and the principal products are cereals, especially maize; maguey also flourishes. The State has good transporta tion facilities. Population, in 1500, 172,217. Capital, Tlaxcala.
The natives of Tlaxcala were of Nahuatlan stock (q.v.) and spoke the same language as the Aztecs, the dominant people of the Mexican Empire, but maintained their independence in spite of repeated attempts of the Aztec em perors to subjugate them. On the arrival of
Cortez in 1519 he was at first fiercely resisted by the people of Tlaxcala, but they were de feated, and, submitting, furnished a large con tingent to assist in the conquest of Mexico. In recognition of their services they were ac corded special privileges under the Spanish Gov ernment, and on account of their loyalty and fighting qualities numbers of them were after wards colonized at Saltillo, in Coahuila, and at Izalco, in Salvador, as a check upon the hostile inroads of the native tribes. The present popu lation of Tlaxcala is chiefly of the aboriginal stock and language. They maintain many of their ancient beliefs and customs, including faith in witches and weather doctors, with an interesting Feast of the Dead.