Fronteras facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fronteras
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Town
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 Fronteras
Location in Sonora
Fronteras
Location in Mexico
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| Country |  Mexico |
| State | Sonora |
| Municipality | Fronteras |
| Elevation | 1,120 m (3,675 ft) |
| Population
(2001 est.)
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| • Total | 876 |
| Time zone | UTC-7 |
Fronteras is a town in the northeastern part of Sonora, a state in Mexico. It is the main town of the Fronteras area. The name Fronteras means 'Borders' in Spanish.
It is located high up, about 1,120 meters (3,675 feet) above sea level. Nearby towns include Agua Prieta, Nacozari, and Bacoachi. Fronteras started as a mission built by Jesuit priests way back in 1645.
Contents
Where is Fronteras Located?
Fronteras is in a mountainous area, on the western side of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range. The weather here is usually warm, with an average temperature of about 16.9 degrees Celsius (62.4 degrees Fahrenheit) each year.
The rainiest time of year is from July to August. On average, Fronteras gets about 427.5 millimeters (16.8 inches) of rain every year.
How Many People Live Here?
In 2000, about 7,081 people lived in the whole Fronteras area. By 2005, this number had grown to 7,470 people. The town of Fronteras itself had 874 residents in 2000.
What is the Economy Like?
The main ways people earn a living in Fronteras are through industry, farming, and raising cattle.
- Industry: In 2000, there was one maquiladora (a factory that assembles products for export) in the area.
- Farming: Farmers in Fronteras grow crops like wheat, beans, and corn. They also grow special grasses to feed their cattle.
- Cattle Raising: Raising cattle is very important here. In 2000, there were more than 30,000 cattle in the area! Most of these animals were raised for their meat.
Exploring Fronteras: History and Landmarks
Fronteras has a rich history with many interesting places to visit.
Early Spanish Explorers
A famous Spanish explorer named Juan Bautista de Anza (who lived from 1735 to 1788) led the first Spanish trip by land to the area known as The Californias in 1769. Before this, Europeans had only seen and claimed the land from the sea. He helped set up the first Spanish settlement in what is now California, called the Presidio of San Diego. He was also the second European to see the San Francisco Bay.
Fronteras was first known as Santa Rosa de Corodeguachi. It was a Spanish presidio, which was like a fort.
Historic Missions and Ancient Sites
- Mission San Ignacio de Cuquiarachi: You can visit the Mission San Ignacio de Cuquiarachi. It was started in 1645 by the Jesuit missionary Marcos del Río. This mission is one of the Spanish missions in the Sonoran Desert.
- Archaeological Zones: Near a village called Ojo de Agua, there are two special places where ancient Pima Indigenous people used to live. These are important archaeological sites.
Other Points of Interest
- Jacinto López Reservoir: This is a large water reservoir that visitors can explore.
- Cave of Presidio de Fronteras: This cave is another interesting natural landmark in the area.
Famous Residents
In the early 1900s, Fronteras became well-known because it was the home of Plutarco Elias Calles. He is remembered as a very important person in shaping modern Mexico and later became the 40th president of the country. Even though he was born in a different town, Elias Calles owned a successful flour mill in Fronteras. It was here that he built important friendships and connections that helped him in his political career.
Dinosaur Discoveries
In 2010, Fronteras made headlines again! Scientists found a huge collection of dinosaur fossils there. Paleontologists (scientists who study fossils) believe these are unique species that had never been discovered before.
See also
In Spanish: Fronteras para niños
