The paper industry in Mexico

A brief survey of the history of paper making in Mexico takes us back to the civilization existing before Cortés. The original races Mayas, Nahoas, Zapotecas, and Tarascas, made sheets of paper from “cactus” and “amacuahuitl.” At the beginning of the conquest, the Spaniards used the paper they brought with them, and later when they needed greater quantities, they installed a small paper mill close to the “Gran Tenoxtitlán.” Later, in the colonial period, the first printing shop in America was installed and during the years 1550 to 1600 the different monastic orders printed more than 100 religous works on paper coming from Spain.