Miacatlán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Miacatlan
Miacatlán
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City
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| Miacatlán | ||
Municipal Palace of Miacatlan
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| Country |  Mexico |
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| State | Morelos | |
| Founded | 1869 | |
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 26,713 | |
Miacatlán is a city located in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is also the main town of the Miacatlán municipality. You can find it at these coordinates: 18°46′20″N 99°21′17″W / 18.77222°N 99.35472°W.
Miacatlán is surrounded by other places. To the north are the State of Mexico and the town of Temixco. To the south are Puente de Ixtla, Mazatepec, and Tetecala. To the east is Xochitepec, and to the west are Coatlán del Río and the State of Mexico. In 2015, about 26,713 people lived in the Miacatlán municipality.
Contents
Understanding Miacatlán's Name
The name Miacatlán comes from an old language called Nahuatl. It combines three words: Mitl (meaning arrow), Acatl (meaning rod or cane), and Tlan (meaning place). So, Miacatlán means "place of many reeds for arrows." This name likely refers to the two lakes nearby: Coatetelco and El Rodeo.
Exploring Miacatlán's Past
The history of Miacatlán goes way back, even before the Spanish arrived.
Ancient Times and Empires
Long ago, Miacatlán was an important religious and political center. It was connected to the powerful city of Xochicalco. Later, it became part of the Cuauháhuac area. The Aztecs eventually took control, making Miacatlán part of their great empire, Tenochtitlán.
Colonial Period and New Beginnings
When the Spanish arrived, Miacatlán was renamed San Francisco Miacatlán. It became part of a large land area called the Marquesado del Valle de Oaxaca.
Becoming a Municipality
In 1823, Miacatlán was part of the Mazatepec area in the State of Mexico. When Morelos became its own state in 1869, Miacatlán was officially made a municipality. This new municipality included towns like Coatetelco and Palpan de Barandas. It also included ranches and large farms called Haciendas.
Modern Leadership and Changes
In 2018, Abel Espin Garcia was elected as the mayor, also known as Presidente Municipal. He was part of a group called Juntos por Morelos. A big change happened on January 1, 2019, when the community of Coatetelco became its own separate municipality.
Geography and Altitude
Miacatlán is located 1,054 meters (about 3,458 feet) above sea level. The municipality covers a large area of 233,644.30 square kilometers. It is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) away from Cuernavaca, a larger city.
Communities of Miacatlán
The municipality of Miacatlán has several towns and villages.
- Miacatlán (Municipal Seat): This is the main town. It has about 7,212 people and is 1,005 meters (3,297 feet) above sea level. There are many schools here, from preschools to high schools. It is 44 km south of Cuernavaca.
- El Mirador: This town has 1,392 people and is 1,053 meters (3,455 feet) high. It's very close to the main town, just one kilometer away.
- Xochicalco (Cirenio Longares): About 1,361 people live here. It is 1,170 meters (3,839 feet) above sea level. Many people here work in farming or in Cuernavaca. There are several schools, including an Indigenous school. It is 8 km from Miacatlán.
- El Rodeo: This community has 1,278 people and is 1,096 meters (3,596 feet) high. Like Xochicalco, many residents are farmers or work in Cuernavaca. There's a lake here, formed by a dam on the Rio Tenembe. It is 5 km from Miacatlán.
- Palpan de Baranda: More than 1,000 people live in this farming and ranching community. It is 1,611 meters (5,285 feet) above sea level and 20 km from Miacatlán. It has schools for different age groups.
- Tlajotla: This is a smaller town with 148 people, but it's considered very beautiful. It is the highest community at 1,641 meters (5,384 feet) above sea level. It is 23 km from Miacatlán and has schools.
Places to Visit
Miacatlán has several interesting places to explore.
- Parish Church of Santo Tomas Apóstol: This church is yellow on the outside and white inside. A fun fair is held here on December 21.
- Chapel of the Alma de la Virgen: Located next to the Santo Tomas Parish, this chapel has a festival on February 11.
- Parish of San Juan Bautista: You can find this church in Coatepec.
- Parish of the Purísima Concepción: This church is in Palpan. During the Ash Wednesday fiesta, they have corrida de toros (bull runs).
- Exhacienda de San Salvador: This old farm is now an orphanage called Nuestros Pequeños Hermanos, which means "Our Little Brothers."
- Laguna del Rodeo: This is a lake created by a dam. It's a great place to see different fish, birds, and mammals. There are also restaurants around the lake.
- Laguna de Coatetelco: Another beautiful lake in the area.
- Acueducto del Terreno: An old aqueduct, which is a structure that carries water.
- La presa vieja de la Toma: An old dam.
Coatetelco Archaeological Zone
The Coatetelco archaeological zone is an ancient place located near the Laguna de Coatetelco. It's about two kilometers from Alpuyeca.
Ancient History of Coatetelco
People lived here as far back as 25,000 years ago, starting as nomadic groups. Small farming communities began to settle around 900-500 BCE. Coatetelco was at its peak between 500-150 BCE, with communities of 250 to 500 people. Later, the powerful city of Teotihuacan influenced the area between 450-600 CE.
Later Periods and Discoveries
From 700 to 900 CE, Xochicalco was the main power. After that, Coatetelco became important again. Most of the buildings you see today were built between 1350 and 1521. Many discoveries at the site were made by Raúl Arana.
Structures at the Site
At Coatetelco, you can see a small pyramid, a ball court where ancient games were played, and a round platform. This round platform was built for Ehécatl, the god of wind. The tallest building is the Cuauhtlitzin temple, which has a staircase with arches. A stone figure of a woman, also called Cuauhtlitzin, was found here. There is also a museum at the site where you can learn more about its history.
Culture and Traditions
Miacatlán is rich in culture, with many fiestas, dances, and unique traditions.
Festivals and Celebrations
- Feast of San Juan Bautista: Celebrated on June 24 in Coatetelco. People enjoy traditional dances like los Moros and los Tecuanes, and sometimes Corridas de Toros.
- Feast of Santo Tomás Apóstol: This big celebration happens on December 21 in Miacatlán. It includes fireworks, fun mechanical rides, and Corridas de Toros. There's also a religious festival on February 11.
- Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Held on Ash Wednesday in Palpan. This fiesta also features Corridas de Toros.
Music and Handicrafts
Miacatlán is known for its music. There are four brass bands that play at local fiestas. When it comes to handicrafts, Miacatlán produces beautiful ceramics. In Palpan, people create lovely embroidery.
Local Foods
The region offers delicious traditional foods. You can try barbacoa made from goat or mutton, and cochinitas which is a type of pork dish. In Coatetelco, a special dish is Tamales de Mojarra, made with a type of fish. Palpan is known for its cheese and drinks made with mezcal.
