Villahermosa

Villahermosa (ˌviː(j)əɛərˈmoʊsə , ˌbiʝaeɾˈmosa; "Beautiful Village") is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Tabasco, and serves as the municipal seat (governing county) of the state. Located in Southeast Mexico, Villahermosa is an important city because of its cultural history, natural resources, commercial development, and modern industrialization. Coined "La Esmeralda del Sureste" (The Emerald of the Southeast), Villahermosa is a modern city with a rich history dating back to the early 1500s. Its natural resources like cacao, sugarcane, bananas, tobacco, rice, and hardwoods has made Villahermosa attractive to domestic investors. The city has become a hub for oil and gas operations in Southern Mexico and is referred to as the “Energy City of Mexico.” The most recent oil finding at the Ogarrio oil field, just 107 km west of Villahermosa, make it an important city in the production of hydrocarbon. Commercially, the city is popular with major retailers like Liverpool, Fábricas de Fráncia, Palacio de Hierro, Walmart, City Club, Soriana, Comercial Mexicana and Home Depot. National banks BBVA Bancomer, Santander Mexico, Banamex, and many more serve the city's financial needs. In 1598, King Philip II named the city "Villa Hermosa of San Juan Bautista," and granted it use of a royal shield on its coat of arms which is still in use today. In the city's long history, its name changed many times. In 1916, governor Francisco J. Mújica decreed to eliminate the name of "San Juan Bautista," leaving only "Villahermosa." Throughout the city's history, Villahermosa has had many names: 'Villa Carmona' (1564) name given by Diego de Quijada when he founded the city. 'San Juan Bautista' (1565) in honor of the city's Patron Saint. 'Villa Felipe II' in honor of the Spanish monarch. 'Villa Hermosa de San Juan Bautista' (1598) Title granted by King Felipe II of Spain. 'San Juan de Villahermosa' (1604) name given by the Viceroy Marquis de Montesclaros in honor of Juan de Grijalva, discoverer of Tabasco.