Puebla is a state in the highlands of East-Central Mexico. The origins of the state lie in the city and Valley of Puebla, which was founded by the Spanish in 1531 to secure the trade route between Mexico City and the Port of Veracruz. The history of this region goes back to 10,000 BCE. The oldest sample of corn has been found in this site. There are more than 450 prehistoric sites in the Tehuacan Valley alone where signs of agriculture have been discovered going back to 3500 and 2000 BCE. This region is renowned for the wide variety of ethnic groups that have been residing there. Due to Puebla’s geographic location, it has been involved in many of Mexico’s historic events, such as the conquest of the Aztecs in the 1500’s. Many of the local ethnic groups helped the Spaniards overthrow the Aztecs and remove them from the power in the region. Later, during the 1800’s and the Mexican War of Independence, Puebla remained loyal to the viceroy in Mexico City and sent troops to help defend that city at the Battle of Monte de las Cruces against Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, one of the independence leaders. Throughout the rest of the 19^th century, Puebla was a battleground for other civil wars and a French initiated war that culminated in the Battle of Puebla on Cinco de Mayo in1862, which is often mistakenly celebrated as Independence Day. In most recent times, Puebla and its suburbs have developed into one of the most industrialized areas of Mexico offering countless historic and cultural sites. The juxtaposition of ancient pyramid ruins and modern buildings makes Puebla a city and state of vast diversity and depth. Puebla is also renown for its culinary treasures, “Mole Poblano” and “Chiles en Nogada” as well as the beautiful crafts of its artisans like the famous “talavera” pottery