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Jiutepec
Zocalo de Jiutepec - 2009.jpg
Official seal of Jiutepec
Seal
Jiutepec is located in Mexico
Jiutepec
Jiutepec
Location in Mexico
Jiutepec is located in Morelos
Jiutepec
Jiutepec
Location in Morelos
Country Mexico
State Morelos
Municipal Status 17 March 1826
Area
 • Total 70.45 km2 (27.20 sq mi)
Elevation
1,355 m (4,446 ft)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 215,357
 • Density 3,056.88/km2 (7,917.3/sq mi)
Time zone UTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Postal Code
62550 - 62578

Jiutepec is a city and a municipality in the Mexican state of Morelos. Its name comes from the Nahuatl word Xiutepetl. This means "the precious stones hill."

The city of Jiutepec is the main town of the municipality. In recent years, Jiutepec has grown close to Cuernavaca. They now form one large urban area. The Cuernavaca metropolitan area includes several nearby municipalities. These include Temixco, Emiliano Zapata, Xochitepec, and Tepoztlán.

In 2015, the city of Jiutepec had over 153,000 people. The whole municipality had about 214,000 residents. Jiutepec is the second largest city and municipality in Morelos. Only Cuernavaca is bigger. The municipality covers an area of about 70 square kilometers.

History of Jiutepec

Ancient Times: Prehispanic History

People who spoke Nahuatl arrived in Morelos in the 12th and 13th centuries. They created important areas like "Xiutépetl," which is now Jiutepec. In 1389, Xiutépetl fought against other towns. Later, in 1425, the Aztec emperor Ixcóatl took control of Jiutepec.

Spanish Arrival: Conquest and Colonial Period

On April 11, 1521, Jiutepec gathered soldiers to fight Hernán Cortés. But Cortés and his forces won. Cortés rested in Jiutepec for two days. Then, he moved on to attack Cuernavaca.

During the time of Spanish rule, Jiutepec was part of a large estate. This estate was called the Marquesado del Valle de Oaxaca. Many large farms, called haciendas, were built here. These haciendas often had sugar mills.

Becoming a Nation: Independence and the 19th Century

After Mexico won its independence, Jiutepec became a municipality. This happened in the District of Cuernavaca. During the 1800s, there were many arguments. Farmers and hacienda owners often fought over land and water.

Modern Times: Revolution and the 20th Century

People from Jiutepec played a big part in the Mexican Revolution of 1910. In 1914, one hacienda in Jiutepec became a base for the revolutionary army. This was during the fight for Cuernavaca.

Sadly, federal troops burned the town of Jiutepec on May 8, 1916. Many revolutionaries were also captured and shot.

After the Revolution, land was given back to farmers. These lands were called ejidos, which are shared community farms. In the 1930s, some parts of Jiutepec became new municipalities. These included Emiliano Zapata and Temixco. The town of Progreso was also founded in 1934. It celebrates with a fun festival called a carnaval.

In 1966, a large industrial area was built. It was called the Ciudad Industrial del Valle de Cuernavaca (CIVAC). This brought many factories to the area.

Recent Events: The 21st Century

Jiutepec was greatly affected by an earthquake on September 19, 2017. Four people died, and many buildings were damaged.

Communities in Jiutepec

Jiutepec is the main town of the municipality. It is about 8 kilometers southeast of Cuernavaca. Other important communities include:

  • Progreso: This town is about 4.3 kilometers southeast of Jiutepec.
  • Independencia: It is located about 7.2 kilometers east of Jiutepec.
  • Calera Chica: This community is about 6.2 kilometers south of Jiutepec.
  • Cliserio Alanís (San Gaspar): It is about 3.3 kilometers southeast of Jiutepec.
  • Tejalpa: This community is located 2.5 kilometers north of Jiutepec.

Famous People from Jiutepec

  • Cliserio Alanís Tapia: A general during the Mexican Revolution. He was born in San Gaspar.
  • Rafael Cuevas Sánchez: Born in Jiutepec in 1980, he was a football goalkeeper. He now coaches goalkeepers for Club America.
  • Pioquinto Galis: A general in the Revolution. He helped start the José G. Parres farming colony.
  • Estanislao Tapia Chávez: He fought in the Mexican Revolution. He also worked to help farmers get land.

Fun Places to Visit

Jiutepec has many interesting places to explore:

  • El Texcal water park: This park has water slides and swimming pools. It also offers mountain biking routes.
  • Balnario Ejidal Las Fuentes: A smaller water park with pools and slides.
  • Ex-Hacienda de Cortes: This was once a sugar farm built by Hernán Cortés in 1530. Today, it is a hotel, restaurant, and spa.
  • Hacienda San Gaspar: Built in the 16th century, this hacienda now hosts special events. It has a golf course too.
  • Santiago Apóstol Church: This old church in downtown Jiutepec was built in the 16th century. It has beautiful old paintings.
  • Camino Real Sumiya: This hotel is designed like a Japanese tea house. It has a Zen garden and a Kabuki theater.

Jiutepec also has fun festivals! There is a Carnaval in January. Another one happens in Tejalpa after Ash Wednesday. In Tejalpa, they also celebrate the Feast of St. Luke in October. They offer free food to visitors during this festival.

Traditional foods in Jiutepec include green mole, mole de pipían, and red mole with turkey.

Economy and Jobs

The most important work in Jiutepec is manufacturing. This means making things in factories. Cementos y Concretos Moctezuma opened its first factory here in 1943.

The Civac (Industrial City of the Cuernavaca Valley) was built in 1964. It is the biggest industrial park in Morelos. It has about 120 factories. These factories make cars, food, and chemicals.

There are also many shops and businesses in Jiutepec. Farming is still important, especially growing flowers. Jiutepec is the biggest grower of Poinsettias in Mexico! There are also many ceramic shops in the municipality.

Learning and Schools

Jiutepec has many schools for different ages:

  • Preschools: For young children before elementary school.
  • Elementary Schools (Primaria): For grades 1-6.
  • Middle Schools (Secundaria): For grades 7-9.
  • High Schools (Preparatoria or Bachillerato): For grades 10-12.

Universities in Jiutepec

There are also several universities where students can continue their education:

  • Universidad Continental Justo Sierra (UNICON)
  • Centro Educativo de Humanidades (CEDHUM)
  • Universidad Fray Luca Paccioli, Campus Azteca Tejalpa
  • Centro Universitario Aztlan
  • La Universidad Politécnica del Estado de Morelos

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Jiutepec para niños

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