Iztapalapa
Iztapalapa (ⓘ) is a borough (demarcación territorial) in Mexico City, located on the east side of the entity. The borough is named after and centered on the formerly independent municipality of Iztapalapa, which is officially called Iztapalapa de Cuitláhuac for disambiguation purposes. The rest is made up of a number of other communities which are governed by the city of Iztapalapa.
Iztapalapa | |
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Top: View of Iztapalapa from Cerro de la Estrella; Middle: Cerro de la Estrella National Park, San Matías Parish and Former Convent; Bottom: Cerro de la Estrella Archaeological Zone, Former Culhuacán Convent | |
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Seal | |
Iztapalapa within Mexico City | |
| Coordinates: 19°21′30″N 99°05′35″W | |
| Country | Mexico |
| Federal entity | Mexico City |
| Established | 1928 |
| Named for | Ancient Aztec neighborhood |
| Seat | Aldama No. 63 esq. Ayuntamiento, Barrio San Lucas, Iztapalapa 09000 |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Raúl Basulto Luviano (MORENA) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 113.76 km2 (43.92 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,240 m (7,350 ft) |
| Population (2020). | |
| • Total | 1,835,486 |
| • Density | 16,000/km2 (42,000/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time) |
| Postal codes | 09000 – 09990 |
| Area code | 55 |
| HDI (2020) | 0.783 Very High |
| Website | |
With a population of 1.8 million as of 2010, Iztapalapa is the most populous borough of Mexico City, and as well as the most populous municipality in the country. Over 90% of its territory is urbanized. The borough transitioned from a rural area, with some farms and canals lasting as late as the 1970s, to an area with its only greenery in parks; nearly its population employed in commerce, services and industry. This is the result of a large influx of people into the borough starting from the 1970s, a migration which still continues.
Iztapalapa remains afflicted by high levels of economic deprivation, and a significant number of its residents lack access to clean drinking water. Iztapalapa has one of the highest rates of violent crime in Mexico City, and combatting homicides and drug trafficking remain a major issue for local authorities.
The borough is home of one of Mexico City's major cultural events, the annual Passion Play in which 450 borough residents participate and about 2 million attend as spectators.