Nueva Italia, Michoacán facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nueva Italia de Ruiz
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 Nueva Italia, Michoacán
Location in Michoacán
Nueva Italia, Michoacán
Location in Mexico
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| Country | Mexico |
| State | Michoacán |
| Municipality | Múgica |
| Foundation | November 19, 1909 |
| Elevation | 420 m (1,377 ft) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 32,467 |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central Standard Time) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time) |
| Zip code |
61760
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Nueva Italia (which means "New Italy") is a city in the Mexican state of Michoacán. It is located in a warm region called the Tierra Caliente Michoacana.
Contents
Discovering Nueva Italia's Past
Nueva Italia was founded in 1909 by an Italian named Dante Cusi. His goal was to make it a top producer of crops like cotton, rice, melon, and maize (corn) in all of Mexico.
How Nueva Italia Grew
To make the dry land fertile, water from the Rio del Marquez was brought in. The Rio Cupatitzio, with its channels and traps, created one of the biggest irrigation systems in Latin America. This helped the farms grow a lot. The arrival of the railroad also made it possible for children from Italy to come and live there.
Changes in Local Government
On February 3, 1942, Nueva Italia became separate from the municipality of Parácuaro. It formed a new municipality called Zaragoza. Later, in 1969, the municipality's name was changed to "Múgica."
Population Growth and Ejido Land
Because of the new farming opportunities, Nueva Italia's population grew quickly. Many people came from other parts of Michoacán, especially Parácuaro and Apatzingán. People also moved here from other Mexican states, like Sinaloa and Guerrero.
An interesting fact is that Nueva Italia has the largest ejido (a type of community-owned land) in all of Mexico. It covers more than 22,000 hectares, which is a huge area!
Geography and Climate
Nueva Italia is located in the center of the state of Michoacán. Its exact location is 19° 01' north latitude and 102° 06' west longitude. It sits about 420 meters (1,377 feet) above sea level.
Surrounding Areas
- To the north, it borders the town of Lombardía.
- To the west, it's near the town of La Huacana.
- To the east, you'll find the town of Parácuaro and the city of Apatzingán.
- To the south, there are villages like El Letrero and Gambara, which are in the same municipality.
Landforms and Weather
The area's landscape includes the Depresión del Balsas (Balsas Depression) and the Cerro Nueva Italia hill.
The climate in Nueva Italia is temperate, meaning it's mild. It gets rain during the summer. Temperatures throughout the year usually range from 17 °C (63 °F) to 44 °C (111 °F).
Population Trends
According to a 2010 census, the city's population was 32,467 people. Before that, the population had changed quite a bit. In 2000, there were 30,345 residents, and in 2005, it dropped to 28,343. This showed a loss of over 3,800 people in that decade. However, the 2010 census showed a good increase of 4,124 inhabitants, bringing the population back up.
Local Cuisine
The food in Nueva Italia is delicious and varied. Some popular dishes include:
- Morisqueta: A rice dish.
- Enchiladas: Tortillas filled with ingredients and covered in chili sauce.
- Soups
- Mole: A rich sauce often served with meat.
- Perch: A type of fish.
- Roast: Especially roasted goat, which has been a favorite for 40 years! Raul Sandoval Mejia brought this dish to the area in 1985.
For snacks, people enjoy huchepos and corundas, which are types of tamales.
Economy and Services
The economy of Nueva Italia mainly relies on agriculture. Farmers grow crops like corn, lemon, cucumber, and mango.
Livestock and Trade
Livestock farming is also important, with animals like cattle, pigs, and poultry (like chickens). There are also hives for beekeeping. Trade is active, with fruits and vegetables being bought and sold.
Available Services
Nueva Italia has many services for its residents. You can find several shopping centers, including well-known stores like Elektra and Bodega Aurrerá. There are also banks like Bancomer, Banamex, and Banco Azteca.
For transportation, there are taxi and bus services. Communication services include cable telephony from companies like Telmex, Telcel, and Movistar. The city also has two municipal markets and two sports halls. There's even a small stadium with seats for 1,450 people.
Sister Cities
Nueva Italia has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities":
Nueva Italia
Corvione di Gámbara
Colón
See also
In Spanish: Nueva Italia de Ruiz para niños
