Chiapas is often described as a land of sharp contrasts--from the wealth of the agricultural region in the Soconusco to
the intense poverty of the Highlands. This wealth is divided by ethnicity as well--the indigenous population has
historically been exploited and excluded from region's wealth.
Chiapas: The Soconusco (coffee region)
Coffee ripening
Ejido Santo Domingo. Formerly the Finca Santo Domingo--owned by Enrique
Braun, then expropriated during the end of the revolutionary era (1939) and distributed
to campesinos. The coffee drying patios are on the left, and the ejiditarios
are now in the process of renovating the plantation's "Big House"
and turning it into a tourist site as a museum and a restaurant.
Coffee remains the mainstay of the economy in the region.
Every year thousands of Guatemalan campesinos migrate to the fincas for the
harvest.
Guatemalan family picking coffee. Note the child on the woman's back.
Four year old
boy helping his family pick coffee.
The previous photos were from a photo essay:
The
Coffee Harvest: PhotoEssay by Marco Antonio Cruz, which offers an
outstanding view of the coffee harvest and the Guatemalans who work it.
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Chiapas: Central Valley
Downtown Tuxtla Gutiérrez (from webshots.com)
Sumidero Canyon. Although
Chiapas produces extensive amounts of hydroelectric power, the electricity
is exported out of the state and many people lack access to electricity
The central plaza in Chiapa del Corzo. 
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Chiapas: Los Altos
Church of Santo Domingo, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas
photo by Martin Dabb, website:
http://www.shopzone.co.nz/holiday/
Mercado, San Cristóbal. Photo courtesy of Zoran Popovic
Market day, San Juan Chamula (webshots.com) 
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The Zapatistas
On January 1, 1994, several indigenous communities rebelled against the
Mexican state. Taking the name of the national peasant hero Emiliano Zapata for
their army, the campesinos of the EZLN demanded an end to exploitation and
domination by the elites. There are several excellent websites on the
Zapatistas: see Zapnet!
and
Zapatistas in Cyberspace
Father and daughter
Young boy in Zapatista controlled territory
(Both of these images are courtesy of:
PanAm
byDesign: Building a knowledge Hemisphere using new media and policy
produced at the byDesign eLab with the McLuhan Program global research network,
directed by Dr Liss Jeffrey, director, McLuhan global research network,
graphics by Gisela McKay. From the film by Nettie Wild, Canadian independent filmmaker.
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Some of my favorite natural areas in Chiapas:
Agua Azul (Near Palenque)
Agua Azul--looking up the falls.
A view down the falls. 
Generally the water is
clear, but during the rainy season it can be quite muddy.
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Lagos de Montebello, near Comitán
The Lagos de Montebello are a series of lakes located near
the Guatemalan border. The lakes are different shades of blue and green--and are
home to a variety of wildlife. Hiking is encouraged, swimming is not!
One of the bluer lakes in the chain.
Photo courtesy of Zoran Popovic
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