Río Frío de Juárez facts for kids
Río Frío de Juárez is a small town in Mexico. It is located in the State of Mexico, very close to the border with the State of Puebla. This town sits high up in the mountains, about 3,000 meters (almost 10,000 feet) above sea level! It is on the main highway that connects Mexico City to Puebla de Zaragoza. Because it is so high, Río Frío de Juárez is known for its cool weather and beautiful mountain views. In 2005, about 5,272 people lived here.
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A Stop on the Royal Road
Río Frío started a long time ago because of an important road. This road, called the Camino Real (Royal Road), connected Mexico City to Veracruz. It was used a lot during the time Mexico was a Spanish colony. Later, it was called the Camino Nacional (National Road).
The town was built at the highest point of the mountain pass. It was surrounded by thick pine forests. Travelers on the road often needed to stop here overnight. Río Frío provided food and a place to sleep for the many people and goods moving along this busy route.
Bandits and Brave Stories
In the early years after Mexico became independent, the area around Río Frío became famous for bandits. These groups would rob travelers passing through. The government at the time found it hard to protect the roads.
The stories of these bandits became very well known. A famous novel called Los bandidos de Río Frío (The Bandits of Río Frío) was written by Manuel Payno. This book even became a TV show in 1976! The bandit problem finally ended when Porfirio Díaz became president. His government used a group called the Guardia Rural to make the roads safe again.
A War-Time Post
During the Mexican–American War, Río Frío was an important military post. American soldiers from the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry stayed here. They helped protect the supply lines for the American army, which stretched from Mexico City to Veracruz.
Nature and Adventure
Río Frío is a popular spot for people who love hiking and climbing. It is the main way to get into the Zoquiapan National Forest. This forest has huge areas of high mountain trees and several volcanoes. Some of these volcanoes include Iztaccíhuatl, Telapón, mount Tlaloc, and Cerro Gordo.
The Ancient Site of Tlaloc
From the northwest side of town, old trails lead to the top of Mount Tlaloc. This is an extinct volcano. On its summit, there is an ancient ceremonial site. At 4,120 meters (about 13,500 feet), it is the highest ancient site in the Americas!
Long ago, before Europeans arrived, people would make pilgrimages to this site. They went there to worship Tlaloc, the Mesoamerican rain god. Some people today still follow these traditions. They believe the site is Tlalocan, a mythical paradise mentioned in old Aztec stories. In these stories, Tlalocan was the home of the god Tlaloc.
Alpine Charm
The town is also known for its unique alpine-style buildings. It has one of the coldest average temperatures in central Mexico. The areas around the town are famous for many weekend cabins and farms built in a similar alpine style. You can also find many food stands along the main roads that sell delicious high-mountain food.
See also
In Spanish: Río Frío de Juárez para niños
