Hermosillo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Hermosillo Pitic
City
Ciudad de Hermosillo City of Hermosillo
Panoramic view of Hermosillo, Judicial Power of the State of Sonora, View of the city, Sculpture, Fountain three boulevard, Hermosillo Tower, Catedral de la Asuncion in Hermosillo, Government Palace of Sonora
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  "La ciudad del sol" ("The City of the Sun")
Hermosillo Location in Sonora Show map of Sonora Hermosillo Location in Mexico Show map of Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Sonora
Municipality	Hermosillo
Founded	May 18, 1700
Municipal Status	February 9, 1825
Founded by	Juan Bautista de Escalante
Named for	José María González Hermosillo
Area
• City	168.20 km2 (64.94 sq mi)
Elevation (of seat)	200 m (700 ft)
Population  (2015)
• City	812,229
• Metro	884,273
Demonym(s)	Hermosillense
GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)
• Year	2023
• Total	$33.4 billion
• Per capita	$36,700
Time zone	UTC−7 (Zona Pacífico)
Postal code (of seat)	83000
Area code(s)	662
Website	/Official site: http://www.hermosillo.gob.mx

Hermosillo is a large city in the center of Sonora, a state in northwestern Mexico. It used to be called Pitic. This city is the capital and largest city of Sonora. It's also the main economic hub for the state. In 2020, about 936,263 people lived in Hermosillo. This makes it the 18th biggest city in Mexico. The city's population has grown a lot because of more factories, especially in the car industry.

Hermosillo is known as "The City of the Sun" because it gets very hot. Temperatures can reach up to 49.5°C (121°F) in the summer. Despite the heat, it's considered one of the best cities to live in Mexico. It's also ranked as a very competitive city. This is thanks to its strong economy, good location, and access to education.

Discovering Hermosillo's Past

Anastasio Cuca, a leader of the Yaqui people, in 1887

People have lived in the Hermosillo area for about 3,000 years. Farmers started growing crops here around 2,500 years ago. Before the Spanish arrived, the Seri, Tepoca, and Pima tribes lived here.

Spanish Arrival and Early Settlements

Spanish explorers first came in the mid-1500s, looking for gold. Jesuit missionaries followed them around 1614. In 1687, Eusebio Kino founded a mission nearby.

In 1700, the Spanish started three small villages where Hermosillo is today. These were Nuestra Señora del Pópulo, Nuestra Señora de Los Angeles, and la Santísima Trinidad del Pitic. The local tribes often fought with the Spanish settlers. To keep the peace, the Spanish built a fort called the Presidio of Pitic around 1726.

Becoming Hermosillo

During Mexico's fight for independence, Pitic stayed loyal to Spain. After Mexico became independent in 1825, Pitic became an important town. In 1828, its name changed to Hermosillo. This honored José María González de Hermosillo, a leader who fought for independence.

In 1866, a battle took place in Hermosillo during the French invasion of Mexico. The capital of Sonora state moved to Hermosillo in 1879. In 1881, a railroad connected Hermosillo to other cities. This helped the city's economy grow by bringing in new equipment for mining and farming. Since then, Hermosillo has been a key economic center in northwest Mexico.

The Mexican Revolution and Beyond

During the Mexican Revolution (starting in 1910), Hermosillo played an important role. Venustiano Carranza, a key leader, found safety here in 1913. He started the Constitutionalist Movement in Hermosillo. Because of this, Hermosillo is known as the "revolutionary capital of the country."

Many Chinese immigrants came to Sonora in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some settled in Hermosillo and started businesses, especially making shoes and clothes. However, in the 1920s, feelings against Chinese people grew strong. Many Chinese families then moved to Mexico City or the United States.

In the 1980s, the Ford Motor Company built a car factory in Hermosillo. This factory had a huge impact on the city's economy. Many other businesses that supply parts to Ford also opened.

A Difficult Day in 2009

On June 5, 2009, a fire occurred at the ABC Child Care Center in Hermosillo. This event led to a significant loss of life, primarily affecting young children. The fire is believed to have started in a nearby building and then spread to the daycare. Firefighters and local people worked together to create openings in the walls to help rescue the children. This tragic event led to new laws and safety rules for child care centers across Mexico. Every year on June 5, Mexico observes a day of national mourning.

Hermosillo's Environment

Hermosillo is the main city of a large area that includes over 3,800 smaller towns. This area covers about 14,880 square kilometers.

Rivers and Water Supply

The two most important rivers are the Sonora and the San Miguel. Both rivers are used to water farms. The Abelardo L. Rodriguez Dam is on the San Miguel River. Hermosillo's population is growing quickly, which puts a strain on its water supply. To make sure there's enough water, the city has to manage its underground water sources carefully.

Climate and Wildlife

Hermosillo has a hot desert climate. Temperatures can go from freezing in winter to 48°C (118°F) in summer. Most rain falls between July and September.

The area's plants include mesquite trees, blue agave, desert ironwood, and palo verde. You can find many animals here, such as desert tortoises, rattlesnakes, mule deer, coyotes, and bobcats. Sometimes, even black bears are seen near the city. Recently, a jaguar was spotted in the area, which was exciting because they are rare. The critically endangered Sonoran pronghorn antelope also lives here, but there are very few left. You might also see colorful red-masked parakeets and monk parakeets flying around.

Hermosillo's Economy and Growth

Torre Hermosillo, a tall building from 1995

Most people in Hermosillo work in manufacturing and trade. About 250,000 hectares of land around the city are used for farming. Farmers grow crops like wheat, grapes, chickpeas, and walnuts. Raising livestock, especially beef cattle, has always been important here. Pigs, sheep, goats, horses, chickens, and bees are also raised. Along the coast, fishing is popular, with shrimp being the main catch.

Manufacturing and Industry

Industry and manufacturing are the fastest-growing parts of Hermosillo's economy. This growth started in the 1980s when the Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant, owned by Ford Motor Company, was built. Today, there are many big factories that create about 68,300 jobs. This means about 30% of the city's population works in manufacturing.

Besides cars, Hermosillo makes televisions, computers, food products, textiles, and cell phones. Lanix electronics has a major research center and factory here. The city has twelve industrial parks with over a hundred smaller factories.

Trade and Tourism

More than half of Hermosillo's population works in trade. You'll find both small local shops and large chain stores. Tourism mainly happens in coastal towns like Bahia de Kino and Kino Nuevo. These areas offer cave paintings and a fun park called La Sauceda.

Sports in Hermosillo

Hermosillo is a city that loves sports!

Baseball Excitement

The city has a professional baseball team called Naranjeros de Hermosillo. They play at the Estadio Sonora. Baseball has been popular here since the late 1800s. The Naranjeros team started in the 1950s. They have won 16 championships in the Pacific Coast League and two championships in the Caribbean Series. Hermosillo even hosted the Caribbean Series in 2013. The city also hosted the U-23 Baseball World Cup in 2021 and the U-15 Baseball World Cup in 2022.

Basketball Action

The professional basketball team is the Rayos de Hermosillo. They were founded in 2009 and play in the CIBACOPA league. The Rayos play their home games at the Gimnasio del Estado. They have won three league titles: in 2012, 2013, and 2019.

Football and Field Hockey

Since 2013, Hermosillo has been home to Cimarrones de Sonora FC, a football (soccer) club. They play in the Liga de Expansión MX, which is the second-highest league in Mexico. Their home stadium is Estadio Héroe de Nacozari. Hermosillo also has the Soles de Sonora, a team in the Major Arena Soccer League. In 2010, Hermosillo hosted the first Pan American Youth Championship for boys' field hockey.

Parks and Fun Places

Hermosillo is in the Sonoran Desert, surrounded by flat, grassy areas and distant hills. It's a common stop for travelers. It's also the only city in Mexico that cleans all its drinking water before it goes to homes.

Plaza Zaragoza: The Heart of the City

The center of Hermosillo is Plaza Zaragoza. It was built in 1865 and has a beautiful Moorish-style gazebo. This gazebo was brought all the way from Florence, Italy, in the early 1900s. The plaza also has a lovely flower garden and statues.

The plaza is surrounded by important buildings like the State Government Palace and the cathedral. The Palacio de Gobierno (Government Palace) was built in 1881. It has a grand white Neoclassical front. Inside, there's a courtyard with a main staircase. Murals showing Sonora's history decorate the walls.

The Catedral de la Asunción in Hermosillo

The Catedral de la Asunción is right next to Plaza Zaragoza. Building it started in the 18th century but wasn't finished until the early 20th century. It mixes Neoclassical architecture with Neogothic designs. Its tall towers have dome-like tops.

Museums to Explore

The Regional Museum opened in 1960. It now has two big halls. One hall shows old tools, pottery, and other items from before and during the Spanish colonial times. The other hall focuses on the colonial period, with documents, maps, and old coins.

The Museo de Sonora (Museum of Sonora) is in a building that used to be a prison. It was finished in 1907 and closed as a prison in 1979. It reopened as a museum in 1985. This museum has eighteen rooms covering Sonora's paleontology, history, and cultures. You can even see some of the old prison cells!

The Museo de Culturas Populares e Indígenas de Sonora (Museum of Popular and Indigenous Cultures of Sonora) is in a beautiful old house. It shows the crafts, clothing, and customs of the state's native cultures.

Cerro de la Campana and Ecological Center

The Cerro de la Campana mountain is a symbol of Hermosillo. From its top, you can see amazing views of the city. There's a lookout point called El Caracol. People say the mountain got its name ("Bell Hill") either from a metallic sound its rocks make or because it looks like a bell.

Just outside the city is the Centro Ecológico de Sonora (Ecological Center of Sonora). This center has over 300 types of plants and 200 types of animals. They come from Sonora and other parts of the world. The animals live in natural-like homes. The center helps protect Sonora's plants and animals, especially those in danger like the bighorn sheep.

Festivals and Traditions

The Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado Festival is a big cultural event each year. Artists from Mexico and other countries come to perform and show their work.

The Yaqui people in Hermosillo celebrate Holy Week in a special way. They mix Catholic traditions with their own native practices. They perform traditional dances like El Coyote (The Coyote) and the Danza del Venado (Deer Dance). The Deer Dance is very important, as the deer is a sacred animal to the Yaqui.

Two other major festivals are the Fiesta de la Vendimia (Grape Harvest Festival) in July and the Feria Exposición Ganadera e Industrial (Livestock and Industry Exposition and Fair) in May.

Hermosillo's panoramic view from Cerro de la Campana ('Bell Hill' in Spanish)

Learning in Hermosillo: Education

Hermosillo has many great schools and universities. Here are some of the higher education institutions:

• Universidad de Sonora
• Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM), Campus Sonora Norte
• Universidad de Hermosillo
• Instituto Tecnológico de Hermosillo
• Universidad Tecnológica de Hermosillo (UTH)
• Universidad del Valle de México
• Universidad Durango Santander
• Universidad Kino
• Centro de Estudios Superiores del Estado de Sonora (CESUES)
• El Colegio de Sonora
• Universidad TecMilenio, Campus Hermosillo

And here are some primary and secondary schools:

• Instituto Irlandés Hermosillo
• Colegio Bicultural Génesis
• Nuevos Horizontes
• CBTIS 11

Exploring Hermosillo: Tourism

Hermosillo offers many interesting places to visit!

City Center Attractions

Zaragoza Square

Plaza Zaragoza in Hermosillo

Plaza Zaragoza was built in 1780. It's one of the oldest parts of the city. The streets around it are also very historic.

The Cathedral

The Hermosillo Cathedral, also called La Catedral de la Asunción, is a must-see. It's 30 meters tall and has a mix of architectural styles.

Sonora Museum of Art (MUSAS)

The Sonora Museum of Art, known as MUSAS, is a place for art and culture. It has large spaces for exhibitions, workshops, and offices. Many different art shows have been held here.

North Zone Adventures

Bachoco Hill

El Bachoco is a hill that's 610 meters high. It's a favorite spot for mountain biking and hiking. It's a short but challenging climb, perfect for an evening walk. You can find it where Morelos and Juan Bautista de Escalante boulevards meet.

Fernando Valenzuela Stadium

The Fernando Valenzuela Stadium is the new home of the Naranjeros de Hermosillo baseball team. This team has won many championships!

Héctor Espino Stadium

The Héctor Espino Stadium used to be the home of the Naranjeros. It also hosted the Cimarrones de Sonora football team.

Outskirts and Coastal Gems

San Pedro el Saucito

San Pedro el Saucito is a community in the Hermosillo Municipality. It has about 2,938 people and is 250 meters high.

Kino Bay

This beautiful beach is named after Eusebio Francisco Kino, who visited it long ago. The Seri people lived here even before that. Kino Bay is a great place to relax by the sea.

Ethnic Museum of the Seris

The Seri people call themselves "Comcaac," meaning "the People." This museum teaches visitors about their history, language, clothing, crafts, and traditions.

Tiburón Island

Tiburón Island is a huge ecological reserve. It's the largest island in Mexico! The Seri people once lived here and believed it was a very special place. The island has beautiful mountains, valleys, and many plant and animal species. You can find about 205 types of birds, 31 types of reptiles and amphibians, and many fish around its coast.

Seasonal Fun: Temporary Events

Expogán

Expogán is a family event held in Hermosillo in April and May. It has games, popular dances, and a big stage where famous artists perform. Many well-known singers like Juan Gabriel and Vicente Fernández have performed here.

Hermosillo Racecourse

The Hermosillo Racecourse started as a car racing track. In 1983, it also became a place for horse racing.

Getting Around: Transportation

General Ignacio Pesqueira García International Airport

The General Ignacio Pesqueira García International Airport is in the western part of Hermosillo. It has flights to major Mexican cities like Mexico City and Guadalajara. It also has direct international flights to Phoenix, Arizona. About 1.2 million passengers use this airport every year.

Hermosillo has a public bus system with about 350 buses on 19 routes. However, most people in the city use cars to get around. Mexican Federal Highway 15 connects Hermosillo to Nogales (a three-hour drive) and Culiacán (an eight-hour drive).

Friendship Cities: Twin Towns

Hermosillo has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called twin towns or sister cities:

• Phoenix, Arizona, United States
• Irvine, California, United States
• Norwalk, California, United States
• Torreón, Coahuila, Mexico
• Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

See also

In Spanish: Hermosillo para niños