the city of zacatlán is located at an altitude of 2000 meters above sea level in the sierra norte de puebla region of the state, 130 kilometers from the state capital. its main economic activities relate to agriculture and commerce. the city is next to the ajajalpan river, a tributary of the necaxa and whose waters eventually flow into the gulf of mexico via the tecolutla. it is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of apple and other fruit trees, which fill the air with their scent during blossom season. the historic center of the town is marked by large houses and other buildings, some over a hundred years old, with pitched roofs covered in red clay tile, as well as stone paved streets. this and other features of the area and the surrounding area made the city the 39th pueblo mágico in mexico.