by Mildred Boyd

     Though the community of Zapopan has been virtually swallowed by the sprawling megalopolis that is greater Guadalajara, it still manages to retain its own unique identity. The 2005 census recorded over one million inhabitants, ranking it second in population in Jalisco only to Guadalajara itself. The city has become a commercial center for the region. With fiber and textile factories established as early as 1885, the city went on to establish industrial and commercial leadership by the early 1900’s. Even today, most of the elegant shopping malls lie within its limits.                                 

     The area has had a lively history. It was already occupied by Totonac, Otomi, Zapotecs and Tarascans by the 12th century A.D. but was overrun by hordes of Nahuatl speakers from the North, including Cazcanes, Cocans and Tecuexes. With its original spelling, Tzapopan is a Nahuatl name translating as "On the field of tzapotli," a type of local fruit.

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