Asunción Ixtaltepec Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Asunción Ixtaltepec
Municipality and town
Asunción Ixtaltepec Location in Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Oaxaca
Area
• Total	547.33 km² (211.33 sq mi)
Elevation	30 m (100 ft)
Population (2005)
• Total	14,438
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central Standard Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time)

Asunción Ixtaltepec is a town and municipality located in the state of Oaxaca, in southwestern Mexico. It's part of the Istmo de Tehuantepec region, specifically in the Juchitán District. The town has a long history, as it was founded way back in 1546. Its name, "Ixtaltepec," means "White Mountain," which sounds pretty cool!

Exploring Asunción Ixtaltepec's Geography
- Nizanda Hot Springs: A Natural Wonder
People of Asunción Ixtaltepec
Economy: How People Make a Living
Arts and Crafts: The "Tinaca de Mujer"
Airport
See also

Exploring Asunción Ixtaltepec's Geography

The municipality of Asunción Ixtaltepec covers an area of about 547 square kilometers. That's a lot of space to explore! The land is mostly flat, but you can find some hills here and there. The town is quite low, sitting at an average elevation of just 30 meters above sea level, close to a large lagoon. The Los Perros river flows nearby, adding to the natural beauty of the area.

The town is only about 9 kilometers away from the city of Juchitan de Zaragoza. You can easily get there using a branch of the Pan American Highway.

Nizanda Hot Springs: A Natural Wonder

One of the most interesting natural spots in the municipality is the Nizanda hot springs. These springs are located between the towns of Carrasquedo and Mena (Nizanda). To reach them, you follow a path next to a small river. This river is full of beautiful water lilies and winds through a lush, green forest. The hot springs themselves come from caves where the warm water bubbles up. There are even pools where you can take a relaxing bath!

People of Asunción Ixtaltepec

In 2005, there were about 14,438 people living in the municipality of Asunción Ixtaltepec. These people lived in 3,936 different households. It's interesting to know that many people here, about 6,583 of them, speak an indigenous language. This shows the rich cultural heritage of the region.

Economy: How People Make a Living

The people of Asunción Ixtaltepec have many ways of making a living. Farming is very important here. They grow crops like maize (corn), sorghum, peanuts, beans, and sesame. Raising animals is also a big part of the economy, with many people breeding cattle and poultry.

Besides farming and animal breeding, the town is known for its handmade crafts. People create beautiful textiles, red bricks, and pottery. These items are so popular that they are sold all over Mexico!

In 2010, there was an exciting development for the region's economy. A big bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, approved money to help build two wind power plants in the area. One of these plants was planned for Asunción Ixtaltepec, which would help produce clean energy.

Arts and Crafts: The "Tinaca de Mujer"

The local potters in the Santa Rita Barrio of Ixtaltepec are famous for a special type of pottery called the "tinaca de mujer." This is a unique water cooler shaped like a woman, made from red clay. It's quite tall, usually about one meter or even larger!

The figure has a bell-shaped skirt and carries a shallow bowl of sand on her head. Inside this bowl sits a water jug. This jug is often decorated with cool designs like lizards and sometimes turtles in low relief. The amazing thing about these "tinacas" is that they keep water cool through a natural process called evaporation.

Besides these special water coolers, local potters also make other useful items. They create flower pots, plates, and barrel-shaped pots with an open end, which are perfect for frying tortillas.