Municipalities in Tlaxcala are administratively autonomous of the state according to the 115th article of the 1917 Constitution of Mexico.[3] Every three years, citizens elect a municipal president (Spanish: presidente municipal) by a plurality voting system who heads a concurrently elected municipal council (ayuntamiento) responsible for providing public services for their constituents. The municipal council consists of a variable number of trustees and councillors (regidores y síndicos).[4] Municipalities are responsible for public services (such as water and sewerage), street lighting, public safety, traffic, and the maintenance of public parks, gardens, and cemeteries.[5] They may also assist the state and federal governments in education, emergency fire and medical services, environmental protection, and maintenance of monuments and historical landmarks. Since 1984, they have had the power to collect property taxes and user fees, although more funds are obtained from the state and federal governments than from their own income.[5]
The largest municipality by population is Tlaxcala, with 99,896 residents (7.43% of the state total), while the smallest is San Lucas Tecopilco with 3,077 residents.[1] The largest municipality by land area is Tlaxco which spans 574.70 km2 (221.89 sq mi), and the smallest is San Lorenzo Axocomanitla with 4.50 km2 (1.74 sq mi).[2] In 1995, 16 municipalities were created, the most recent being Benito Juárez, which was established on October 9, 1995.[6]
Municipalities
Largest municipalities in Tlaxcala by population
Tlaxcala, capital and largest municipality by population in Tlaxcala
Huamantla is the second most populous municipality.
^Acuamanala was originally incorporated as Miguel Hidalgo, changing its name on April 1, 1994.[6]
^Amaxac was originally incorporated as Guerrero, changing its name on September 9, 1942.[6]
^Apizaco was originally incorporated as Barrón-Escandón, changing its name on March 3, 1971.[6]
^Españita was merged with Lázaro Cárdenas (present day Sanctórum) for three months in 1931.[6]
^Ixtacuixtla was originally incorporated as San Felipe Yxtacuixtla, changing its name on June 4, 1867.[6]
^Ixtenco was originally incorporated as San Juan Yxtenco, changing its name on June 4, 1867.[6]
^Mazatecochco was originally incorporated as José María Morelos, changing its name on February 1, 1984.[6]
^Muñoz was originally incorporated as Domingo Arenas, changing its name on February 1, 1984.[6]
^Nanacamilpa was originally incorporated as Ing. Manuel Santillán, changing its name to Mariano Arista in 1944 and to its current name on February 1, 1984.[6]
^Panotla was not incorporated as a municipality between 1867 and 1882.[6]
^Sanctórum was originally incorporated as Lázaro Cárdenas, changing its name on February 1, 1984.[6]
^Tzompantepec was originally incorporated as San Salvador Zumpantepec, changing its name on June 4, 1867.[6]
^Yauhquemehcan was originally incorporated as San Dionisio Yeuquemecan, changing its name on June 4, 1867.[6]
^Zitlaltepec was renamed Trinidad Sánchez Santos from 1959 to 1984.[6]
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