Chalchihuites Municipality facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chalchihuites Municipality
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| Etymology: Emerald or precious stone (in Nahuatl) | |
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| Country | Mexico |
| State | Zacatecas |
| Municipal seat | Chalchihuites |
| Area | |
| • Total | 891 km2 (344 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 2,270 m (7,450 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 10,519 |
| • Density | 11.806/km2 (30.577/sq mi) |
Chalchihuites is a municipality in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. It is famous for an ancient archaeological site called Altavista. This site is about 137 miles northwest of Zacatecas city. It is also 102 miles southeast of Durango city. People believe this area was a cultural hub. It was lived in almost continuously from AD 100 to AD 1400.
Contents
History
What is the History of Chalchihuites?
Chalchihuites was once an important ceremonial center. It was built by the Teotihuacano people. This site is located right on the Tropic of Cancer. It has many interesting features. These include ancient rock carvings called petroglyphs. There is also a special path for ceremonies and a large Hall of Columns. The site shows some of the best evidence of how ancient people used stars to plan their buildings.
An archaeologist named Manuel Gamio called Chalchihuites a "culture of transition." This means it was a bridge between the advanced Mesoamerican civilizations and the Chichimeca people. The Chichimeca were hunter-gatherers who lived in the dry central part of Mexico. Chalchihuites and La Quemada were like outposts. They were Mesoamerican settlements in a border area. The weather changes here often made it hard to build permanent homes.
Chalchihuites is also known for a large church. This church is located in its old colonial town center.
When was Chalchihuites Founded?
Spanish captain Martin Perez founded Chalchihuites in 1556. A group from Guadalajara started the community. It became known as a mining center in 1591. This happened when Spaniards and Tlaxcalans were sent there. They were sent by the viceroy Don Luis de Velasco. Don Lucas de Montealegre was the governor of that colony.
The municipality of Chalchihuites is as old as Sombrerete. For a very long time, it was part of the Sombrerete Mayor's Office. It became an official municipality in 1824. It used to be called "Real of Mines of the Valley of San Pedro de los Chalchihuites." It had three main parts: Chalchihuites, Tonalá, and Nueva Tlaxcala. In 1857, Nueva Tlaxcala, which belonged to Jalisco, became part of Zacatecas. This was made official by a constitutional declaration.
Demographics
How Many People Live in Chalchihuites?
According to the 2020 Population and Housing Census, the municipality of Chalchihuites has 10,086 residents. Out of these, 4,892 are men and 5,194 are women.
What are the Main Towns in Chalchihuites?
The municipality has 69 different towns and villages. Here are the main ones, based on their population from the 2020 Census:
| Location | Population |
| Total Municipality | 10 086 |
| Chalchihuites | 3 816 |
| Gualterio | 826 |
| José María Morelos (San José de Gracia) | 817 |
| San José de Buenavista (San José de Abajo) | 357 |
| Hidalgo del Manto | 337 |
| Blue Stones | 303 |
Geography
Where is Chalchihuites Located?
The municipality of Chalchihuites is located in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. It is also part of the Mesa Central, a high plateau. Its total area is about 891 square kilometers. It borders the municipality of Sombrerete to the north. To the south, it borders Jiménez del Teúl. To the west, it borders the State of Durango.
The word "Chalchihuites" comes from the Nahuatl language. It means "Emerald" or "precious stone." In the municipality of Chalchihuites, there is a beautiful place called Gualterio. It is only five minutes away and has a hot springs spa.
What is the Climate Like in Chalchihuites?
The climate in Chalchihuites is very hot during the summer months. It gets cold in the winter. The ancient site sits alone in the badlands, about four miles east of the town. It is also close to the colonial town of Zacatecas. Zacatecas has a very unique cathedral.
Notable people
- Ricardo Moreno: A former boxer who was ranked among the top punchers.
- Luis Moya Regis: A General who fought with Francisco I. Madero during the Mexican Revolution.
- Roberto Guadarrama: A band member of the famous group Los Bukis.
- Los Buchis De Chalchihuites, Zacatecas: A Mexican polka band from Chalchihuites.
See also
In Spanish: Municipio de Chalchihuites para niños
