**Santo Tomás Jalieza ** is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. It is part of the Ocotlán District in the south of the Valles Centrales Region.

Geography

The municipality covers an area of 51.03 km2 at en elevation of 1,500 meters above sea level. Its climate is temperate. The soil is composed of volcanic material overlaying rock at a depth of 10 centimeters or less.

Demography

As of 2005, the municipality had 568 households with a total population of 2,885 of whom 382 people spoke an indigenous language.

Economy

Economic activity includes agriculture, producing maize, beans, wheat, sugarcane and fruits, and cattle rearing. Mezcal is produced in the village. Santo Tomás Jalieza is known as the "town of belts" (cinturones) for the attractive embroidered cloth and leather belts that are made here. The townsfolk have also adapted their designs to clothing, purses and bags.