Rayón, Sonora facts for kids

Rayón is a small town located in the middle of the Mexican state of Sonora. It is about 110 kilometers (about 68 miles) away from Hermosillo, which is the capital city of Sonora. The town is surrounded by its own local area, called the Rayón Municipality.

About Rayón

The town of Rayón is located at a height of 618 meters (about 2,028 feet) above sea level. In the year 2000, about 1,273 people lived in the main part of the town.

Getting Around Rayón

Rayón has roads that connect it to other nearby towns. You can travel by highway to Ures, which is 41 kilometers (about 25 miles) away. It's also connected to Carbó, which is 48 kilometers (about 30 miles) away, and Opodepe, which is 26 kilometers (about 16 miles) away.

The History of Rayón

Rayón was started a long time ago, in 1638. A Jesuit missionary named Pedro Pantoja founded the town. A missionary is someone who travels to spread their religious beliefs. He first named the town Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Nacameri. Before that, the area was home to a group of native people called the Pima Bajos.

Later, in 1825, the town's name was changed to Rayón. This was done to honor a brave general named Ignacio López Rayón. He was an important leader in Mexico's fight for independence.

In 1850, Rayón was given the title of "villa," which means it became a town with certain rights. In the mid-1800s, it also became a "municipality," meaning it had its own local government. An important building in Rayón is its church, which was started a long time ago and is still used today.

What People Do for Work

The main way people in Rayón make a living is by raising cattle. Cattle are cows and bulls raised for meat or milk. In 2000, there were more than 18,000 cattle counted in the area, showing how important this activity is to the town's economy.

See also

In Spanish: Rayón (Sonora) para niños