The city is located at 19°31′N 98°24′W19.517°N 98.4°W in the south-central portion of the state. At the census of 2005 the city had a population of 15,777 inhabitants and was by far the smallest state capital in Mexico. It is only the tenth-largest city in the state of Tlaxcala. The city is the municipal seat of its surrounding municipality of Tlaxcala, which had a population of 83,748. The municipality has an area of 41.61 km² (16.066 sq mi) and includes several other communities, the largest of which are Ocotlán, Santa María Acuitlapilco, and San Gabriel Cuauhtla. The city of Tlaxcala is not even the largest in its own municipality, as Ocotlán, with a population of 22,082 is larger than Tlaxcala.
The city, though originally settled by native peoples, was officially "founded" in 1520 by Hernán Cortés – with whom they had an alliance against their former Aztec oppressors.
Probably the most important place to visit and study is the Government Palace located on the corner of the principal plaza. It contains many colorful and historical accurate murals based upon original codexes. The murals were painted by Desiderio Hernández Xochitiotzin over a period of 40+ years based upon careful research. (The muralist's home can be seen on the left when one's back is to the outdoor chapel noted earlier.)
However, one cannot be a "Genuine-Tourist" in Tlaxcala, Tlaxcala, without frequently visiting the main plaza and the adjoining two plazas because they are the scene of many events both planned and unplanned by the residents of the city, state, and visiting Mexican adults and young people.
On the principal plaza one can find colorful costumed dancing, mimes, instrumental music, marching bands, and much more, depending upon the "schedule of monthly events" (cited at the beginning of this article) or one's good fortune (depending upon how frequent one circles through the plaza). On the minor plaza to the south one can find many vendors on Sundays and inexpensive extra large T-shirts featuring Tlaxcala in the regular shops (if one specifically asks). Also the minor plaza to the north, the plaza of three fountains, is a nice area to "people watch in" and to view another old church building. If you go into the church building, please notice the baptismal font on the right which "mixes" Christian symbols with non-Christian symbols via carvings on its base.