Jantetelco facts for kids

Jantetelco, officially known as Jantetelco de Matamoros, is a town in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is the main town for the area around it, which is also called Jantetelco. In 2015, about 17,238 people lived in the whole area.

The name Jantetelco comes from an ancient language called Nahuatl. It means "hill of adobe buildings." Adobe is a type of brick made from earth. Old adobe foundations have been found near the town's entrance. Also, a statue of the corn goddess, Xochiketzal, was found behind the church. The second part of the name, Matamoros, honors Padre Mariano Matamoros, a hero from Mexico's fight for independence.

History of Jantetelco

In ancient times, the Jantetelco area was part of a larger region called Huaxtepec. Later, when Spain ruled Mexico, it belonged to Cuautla de Amilpas.

A priest named Mariano Matamoros lived in the village in 1811. He joined another hero, José María Morelos, to fight for Mexico's freedom. On October 12, 1874, the town was officially renamed Jantetelco de Matamoros by Governor Francisco Leyva. In 1885, Matamoros's old room was turned into a museum called El Dormitorio (The Dormitory).

In 2017, a strong earthquake hit the region. While the first earthquake on September 7 didn't cause much damage in Morelos, another one on September 19 caused a lot of destruction. In Jantetelco, 281 homes were completely destroyed, and 191 others were damaged.

In 2018, Juan Felipe Dominguez Robles was elected as the mayor of Jantetelco. In 2019, there was a local disagreement about building a power plant in a nearby town.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, Jantetelco reported its first cases in December 2020. Vaccinations for older citizens began in March 2021.

Communities in Jantetelco

The Jantetelco area has several important communities, each with its own special features.

Jantetelco (Town)

The town of Jantetelco is the main center of the area, with about 4,645 people. It sits high up, about 1,430 meters (4,690 feet) above sea level. The main jobs here are farming (growing crops like sorghum, corn, and beans) and raising animals (cattle, goats, chickens, and pigs). The town celebrates two main festivals: one on June 29 for San Pedro Apóstol and another on December 13 to remember Father Mariano Matamoros.

Amayuca

Amayuca has about 5,287 people. Like Jantetelco, its main activities are farming and raising animals. This community is also known for making clay pottery. They celebrate Santiago Apostle on July 25. Amayuca is very close to Jantetelco, only about 2.1 kilometers (1.3 miles) away.

Chalcatzingo

Chalcatzingo has about 2,449 people and has roots in the ancient Nahuatl culture. Most people here are farmers. However, tourism is also important because of the famous Chalcatzingo archaeological site. People also sell small models of cuescomates, which are traditional silos for storing grain. San Mateo Evangelista is honored on September 21. Chalcatzingo is about 3.7 kilometers (2.3 miles) from Jantetelco.

Tenango and Santa Ana

These two communities have a combined population of 1,856. They focus on farming (sugarcane, sorghum, corn) and raising livestock. The old Tenango hacienda (a large estate) is a cultural attraction. Santa Ana is celebrated on July 26.

San Antonio Esperanza

This community focuses on farming (rice, sorghum, corn) and raising animals. The feast of St. Anthony of Padua is celebrated on June 13.

Culture

Jantetelco is rich in history and traditions.

Historic Buildings

The Dominican convent of San Pedro Apóstol was built way back in the 16th century. There are also churches dedicated to St. Matthew, St. Francis, St. James the Greater, and St. Clara. The old Tenango hacienda is also an important historical site.

Chalcatzingo Archaeological Site

The amazing archaeological zone of Chalcatzingo is nearby. This site dates back to a very old time, between 1500 and 350 B.C. It was one of the most important places influenced by the Olmecs, an ancient civilization. The stone carvings found here show how developed Chalcatzingo was.

Festivals and Food

On June 29, there's a big fair to honor St. Peter the Apostle. It's a lively celebration with bands and Chinelos dancers, who wear colorful costumes. Traditional foods include beef cecina (a type of dried meat) with fresh cream, and pork cecina. A sweet candy made from crystallized milk and peanuts is also a local treat.

Geography

Location, Altitude, and Area

Jantetelco is located in the state of Morelos. It sits about 1,160 meters (3,800 feet) above sea level. To the north is Temoac, to the south is Axochiapan, to the west is Jonacatepec, and to the east is the State of Puebla. It is about 68.2 km (42.4 mi) east of Cuernavaca and 130.2 km (80.9 mi) south of Mexico City.

The Jantetelco area covers about 102.1 square kilometers (39.4 sq mi). This is about 2.10% of the total area of the state of Morelos.

Landscape and Rivers

Jantetelco is surrounded by hills and valleys. In the middle of the area, the Jantetelco hills reach about 1,878 meters (6,160 feet) high, and the Chalcatzingo hills reach about 1,570 meters (5,150 feet). The rest of the land is mostly flat plains.

Several rivers flow through this area, including the Amatzinac, Tenango, Los Santos, and Tepalcingo Rivers. There are also many smaller streams.

Climate

Jantetelco has a tropical climate. This means it's generally warm. There is much less rain in winter than in summer. The average temperature is about 22.5°C (72.5°F). On average, it rains about 865 mm (33.7 inches) each year.

Plants and Animals

The plants in Jantetelco are mostly from a type of forest called a low deciduous forest, which means many trees lose their leaves in the dry season. You can find trees like Jacaranda, tabachín, casahuate, ceiba, and colorful bougainvillea flowers.

The animals living here include raccoons, badgers, skunks, armadillos, hares, common rabbits, coyotes, mountain lions, weasels, cacomixtles, opossums, and bats. Birds like chachalacas, magpies, buzzards, crows, and owls are also common.

Land Use

The land in Jantetelco is used for different purposes. About 3,445 hectares (8,510 acres) are used for farming. Around 5,383 hectares (13,300 acres) are used for raising animals. About 1,986 hectares (4,910 acres) are used for forestry (growing trees). Much of the land, about 6,493 hectares (16,040 acres), is ejido property, which means it's communal land used by local farmers. Some land is communal property (160 hectares or 400 acres), and some is private property (5,319 hectares or 13,140 acres).

See also

In Spanish: Jantetelco para niños