Chilapa, Nayarit facts for kids
Chilapa is a small town located in the municipality of Rosamorada in the state of Nayarit, Mexico. It's about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the city of Tepic, right on national highway number 15. Chilapa is surrounded by other towns: Rosamorada is to its north, El Tamarindo and San Vicente are to its south, Paso Real del Bejuco is to its east, and Colonia 18 de Marzo is to its west.
The name "Chilapa" has an interesting origin. One popular idea is that it comes from the Nahuatl language, an ancient language spoken in Mexico. In Nahuatl, "chilapan" means "chili peppers in the water." According to the most recent count, about 1,856 people live in Chilapa.
Contents
A Look Back: Chilapa's Story
How Chilapa Began
Chilapa's beginnings are closely tied to a large cattle ranch that used to be there. This ranch was started in 1713! That's when the King of Spain sold the land to a woman named Mrs. Francisca Ramon de Moncada. She paid 330 gold coins for the property. Over many years, the land changed owners several times.
Who Owned the Ranch?
Here are some of the important people who owned the ranch over time:
- In 1720, Diego Ramón de Moncada.
- In 1726, Don Diego Zea.
- In 1733, nuns from the Santa Maria de Gracia convent in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
- In 1770, Don Rodrigo Fernández de Ubiarco.
- In 1801, Pedro Nazario de Zea.
- From 1876 until 1935, Domingo and Victor Aguirre.
Life on the Ranch
The ranch was enormous, covering about 80,000 hectares (that's like 200,000 acres!). It was mainly used for raising cattle. People used to say that the owners had so many cows, they could choose a whole herd all in the same color! It was also said that if you wanted a job on the ranch, you had to show up by 2 AM. If you were late, you wouldn't get work for the whole week!
Land for the Community
In 1936, a big change happened. The land was given to the local community, creating what's called "common land" (or "ejido" in Mexico). This was thanks to the hard work of farmers like Ramon Lara, Luciano Cobarrubias Luna, and Miguel López Ocegueda.
During the time of President Lázaro Cárdenas del Río, a special decision was made. It gave land to 120 common farmers in Chilapa.
The Hacienda House
The main house of the hacienda (the ranch house) was built between 1900 and 1904. The last family to own the hacienda was the Vaqueiro family, and they still technically own it. However, the family has moved to Guadalajara, so the hacienda is now mostly empty and not well-maintained.
Land and Farming in Chilapa
What the Land is Like
The land in Chilapa is a mix of sandy and heavy soil. It has a gentle slope, which means water drains away fairly well. Most of the land is good for farming. However, many areas can also be used as rangeland, which is land for animals to graze.
Farming Seasons
Most of the farmland is best used during the dry season, which runs from November to April. During this time, farmers need to use irrigation (bringing water to the crops) to make things grow. Only a small part of the land can be farmed during the rainy season (June to October) without irrigation, because growing crops then isn't usually worth the effort.
People of Chilapa
Population Facts
Chilapa is the 4th most populated place in the Rosamorada municipality. Currently, there are 1,953 people living there. Out of these, 993 are male and 960 are female.
See also
In Spanish: Chilapa (Nayarit) para niños
