Coatlán del Río facts for kids
Coatlán del Río is a town in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is located at 18°45′N 99°26′W / 18.750°N 99.433°W, about 1,010 meters (3,314 feet) above sea level.
The name Coatlán comes from the Nahuatl language. It means "place of many snakes."
This town is the main center for the area around it, which is also called Coatlán del Río. In 2020, about 10,520 people lived in the whole area. The town of Coatlán del Río itself had about 1,907 residents that same year.
Contents
History of Coatlán del Río
The story of Coatlán del Río began a very long time ago, even before the Spanish arrived.
Ancient Beginnings
The town was started by people called Toltecs in the year 1509. They were traveling from another place called Malinalco. First, they settled in a spot known as Coatlán Viejo (Old Coatlan). You can still find old stone walls there today.
Coatlán Viejo is about 5 kilometers (3 miles) south of the current town. It is on a hill called Las Paredes (the Walls). Later, the people moved to another hill called Axoyochi, about 3 kilometers (2 miles) to the east. Here, old carved stones called Momoxtles (earth mounds) have been found. Some people believe there might be a hidden pyramid there.
Other old town ruins have been found in a place called San Rafael. This is along the Chalma River. A special stone called Escudo (Shield) was found here. It has pictures and symbols that tell the history of the area. This stone is now in the Palace of Cortés, Cuernavaca. A similar stone is in the main plaza of Coatlán del Río.
Other groups, like the Aztecs and the Tlahuica people, might have lived here too. This town was once part of a big religious and political center called Xochicalco. Later, it became part of the powerful area of Cuauhnahuac (which is now Cuernavaca). This area had to pay taxes to the Aztecs.
Colonial Times and Independence
During the time when Spain ruled Mexico (from 1521 to 1812), Coatlán del Río was given to a Spanish explorer named Juan Zermeño. This was part of a system called encomienda, where Spanish leaders were put in charge of Native American towns.
In 1782, Zermeño's family had a disagreement about the town's church, San Gaspar. This church was built in the 1500s. The current church in Coatlán del Río was built in 1808. Its bells were added in 1809. There is also another church called Santos Reyes or Epifania del Señor. Plus, there is a small chapel called Dolores, also known as el Calvario.
Coatlán del Río officially became its own municipality (a local government area) on May 22, 1862.
Modern Times
The old town hall used to be where the Prof. Miguel Salinas elementary school is now. Since 1939, the town hall has been in the former home of General Pedro Saavedra Brito. The building used as the town hall today was built in 1957.
In 2018, Carlos Nieto Estrada was chosen as the mayor (Presidente Municipal) of Coatlán del Río.
During the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico in 2020, schools and many businesses in Coatlán del Río had to close for a while. This was to help keep people safe and healthy.
Water Resources
Coatlán del Río has many important water sources. These help the local economy and affect the weather and plants in the area.
Rivers and Dams
The most important river here is the Chalma River. It starts in the State of Mexico and flows through Coatlán del Río.
There are three dams in the municipality:
- La Toma in Cocoyotla.
- Apantle Chico in San Rafael.
- Cazahuatlánfrom also in San Rafael.
The Apantle Grande gets its water from the Coatlán Dam. There is also a smaller dam in Cocoyotla. This dam is the source of a spring called Agua Salada (Salty Water).
Streams and Springs
Some smaller streams flow with water all year round. These include the Cuates, the Cocoyotla, and the Axixintle. Other streams, like the Joyas, the Arenal, and the Milpillas, only have water during the rainy season. This season usually lasts from May to November.
The area also has eight natural springs and seven wells that provide water.
Tourist Attractions
Coatlán del Río has several interesting places to visit:
- Parish of the Santos Reyes (Holy Kings)
- Chapel of Calvario
- Chapel of Cerrito (the Little Hill) in Coatlán del Río
- Chapel of San Andrés in Colonia Morelos
- Old hacienda and chapel of Santa Rosa in Cocoyotla
- Old hacienda of Coatlán
- Ruins of Coatlán Viejo (Old Coatlan): This was a Toltec settlement founded in 1509 CE. It is about 5 km (3 miles) from the center of town.
- Palacio Municipal (Town Hall)
- Los Arcos Campo la Chia
- Piedra Coatlán: This is a special stone in the town plaza. It has pictures and symbols that tell stories about historical events.
Fiestas, Dances, and Traditions
The people of Coatlán del Río love to celebrate! Here are some of their main festivals and traditions:
- January 1-6 — Epiphany season: There is a fair, jaripeos (a type of rodeo), fireworks, and a brass band. This happens in Coatlán del Río.
- March 19-25 — Feast of Saint Joseph: More jaripeos are held in Michapa.
- April 25 — Feria del Mango (Mango Fair): A fun fair celebrating mangoes in Coatlán del Río.
- May 15-20 — Feast of Saint Isidore the Laborer: Jaripeos take place in Chavarría.
- June 24 — Feast of Saint John the Baptist: Celebrated with jaripeos in Cocoyotla.
- September 15-20 — Independence Day: A big fair with jaripeos, fireworks, and a brass band in Coatlán del Río.
- September 30–October 5 — Birthday of José María Morelos: There is a parade and jaripeos in Cocoyotla.
- November 11-15 — Feast of Saint Martin de Porres: This celebration in Col. Benito Juárez includes jaripeo, Chinelo dancers, Mojiganga (a traditional street play), and a parade.
- November 20-25 — Mexican Revolution: A parade with a brass band and floats, plus jaripeos, in Tilancingo.
- December 8 — Feast of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception: Celebrated with Mojiganga, a brass band, Chinelos, and jaripeo in Buenavista de Aldama and Colonia Benito Juárez.
- December 12-18 — Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: A parade and jaripeos in Apancingo.
- December 24-31 — Christmas: Jaripeos are held in Chavarría.
- December 31 — New Year's Eve: A parade in Coatlán del Río to welcome the new year.
Communities
The municipality of Coatlán del Río has several smaller towns and villages. People in these communities mostly work in farming, raising animals, making dairy products, and growing fruits and flowers.
- Coatlán del Río is the main town. It has about 1,907 people and is 65 km (40 miles) from Cuernavaca. It is about 1,010 m (3,314 ft) high.
- Cocoyotla has about 1,333 residents. It is 3.5 km (2.2 miles) from Coatlán del Río and is about 1,060 m (3,478 ft) high.
- Tilancingo has about 1,280 residents. It is 2 km (1.2 miles) from Coatlán del Río and is about 1,020 m (3,346 ft) high.
- Michapa has about 1,127 residents. It is 12 km (7.5 miles) from Coatlán del Río and is about 1,190 m (3,904 ft) high.
- Chavarría has about 990 residents. It is 8.5 km (5.3 miles) from Coatlán del Río and is about 1,124 m (3,688 ft) high.
Other communities in the area have fewer than 1,000 residents.
