Rich in natural resources, Chiapas has the highest poverty and malnutrition rates in Mexico.

This southern most state borders Guatemala and is home to one of the largest concentrations of indigenous peoples in the Americas. One third of the 4.3 million people in Chiapas are of Mayan heritage. In these areas up to 95% of the people speak one of more than 15 indigenous languages.

In 2000, of the 3,897 registered households in one community -San Juan Cancuc- 95% had earth floors, 70% had wood walls and 85% of the roofs were metal, asbestos or cardboard lamina.

On average, each household had 4.88 residents. Seventy-five percent of the households have access to electricity, but only 37% have running water.

The availability of potable water is a large problem both in Chiapas and throughout Mexico.