Mecatepec, Mapa de, 1599

This map relates to Mecatepec, a Nahua pueblo that is part of Agualulco in Tabasco. This is near Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz. In fact, there is also a Mecatepec in Veracruz, according to Sherburne F. Cook and Woodrow Borah, Essays in Population History: Mexico and California (Berkeley: University of Calfornia Press, 1979), vol. 3, pp. 106, 109. This region was rich in cacao production, as we see on this map. This map is located in the Tierras collection of the Archivo General de la Nación (AGN), Mexico, vol. 2, expediente 11, f. 7. It measures 31 x 43 cm. Its author is anonymous. It dates from 1599, according to the Catálogo de Ilustraciones, vol. 2, item 528, page 15, of the AGN. (Brief description by Stephanie Wood; map analysis by Amara Solari.)

Title variants: 
Mapa de Mecatepec de los Agualulcos; Guazacualco, Tab.
Principal editor: 
Amara Solari

Transcriptions and Translations

Analytic Transcription English Translation Literal Transcription Spanish Translation Standardized Transcription
camino de tabasco The road to Tabasco. caminio detabasco camino de Tabasco Camino de Tabasco.
tierras de cacao Cacao (or cocoa) land. tierras decacao Tierras de cacao. Tierras de cacao.
The lagoon that comes from these estuaries. [l]aguna qe. nasse [en] estos esteros Laguna que nace en estos esteros.
Estuary that is navigable in canoe. estero qe. se pasa en canoa Ester que se pasa en canoa.
Vacant lands of this pueblo. tierras baldías deste puo. Tierras baldías de este pueblo.
This river is a half league away. este rrio esta media legua Este río está a media legua.
Wells. Mecatepec. Wells. Poços mecatepec poços Pozos. Mecatepec. Pozos.
Water wells. poços deagua Pozos de agua.
An estuary where one goes to the laguna to fish. estero donde seba a esta lagua. apescar Estero donde se va a esta laguna a pescar.
Land of Ocoapa. tierras deocoa pa Tierras de Ocoapa.