Comitán

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Comitán (formally: Comitán de Domínguez) is the fourth-largest city in the Mexican state of Chiapas. It is the seat of government of the municipality of the same name.

It is located in the east-central part of Chiapas, near the border with Guatemala at 16.25° N 92.13° W. In the 2005 census the population was 83,571 people. Its municipality total was 121,263.

The original name given by the local Maya peoples is Balún Canán ("Nine stars"). It was later changed to Comitán de las Flores. Comitán de Domínguez is named after Dr. Belisario Domínguez, who gave a memorable speech in the Congress against the dictator Victoriano Huerta for which he was murdered.

Comitán is also a popular tourist destination, mostly for Mexican nationals, though some international visitors can also be seen. The town itself is one of the most pleasant and pretty in Mexico, with colonial architecture, narrow avenues, and clean streets. The climate is cool most of the year, and can get quite chilly from October to March. The town square is active almost every night, with live music, or some kind of presentation/play (though often they seem to be somewhat evangelical). The main road into and out of town is planted with flowers and monuments to many of the States of Mexico.