Salamanca, Guanajuato facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Salamanca Xidoo "Place of Tepetate"
City and municipality
Clockwise from upper left: Presidencia Municipal, Parroquia Antigua, Santuario de Guadalupe , Refinería de Salamanca, Jardin de Salamanca, Ignacio Allende, and the Church of San Agustin.
Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  Spanish: Ciudad Petrolera (English: Oil/Petroleum City)
Salamanca, Guanajuato Location in Guanajuato Show map of Guanajuato Salamanca, Guanajuato Location in Mexico Show map of Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Guanajuato
Foundation	January 1, 1603
Area
• City	36.11 km2 (13.94 sq mi)
• Municipality	755.6 km2 (291.7 sq mi)
Elevation	1,721 m (5,646 ft)
Population  (2020 census)
• City	160,682
• Density	4,449.8/km2 (11,524.9/sq mi)
• Municipality	273,417
• Municipality density	361.854/km2 (937.20/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Salmantino (a)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
Area code(s)	464

Salamanca (Otomi: Xidoo meaning "Place of Tepetate") is a city and a local government area (called a municipality) in the Mexican state of Guanajuato.

The city was started on January 1, 1603. It was named 'Villa de Salamanca' by Viceroy Gaspar de Zúñiga. He was from a city also called Salamanca in Spain. The town was built in an area called the Bajío. Before it was founded, cattle ranchers, farmers, and small groups of Otomis already lived there.

In recent years, many oil refineries and factories have opened in Salamanca. This has made the city grow quickly. It is now an important place for making goods and offering services in the region. The University of Guanajuato also helps by creating new farming and factory technologies. This boosts local businesses.

In 2020, about 160,682 people lived in Salamanca. It is the fourth largest city in Guanajuato state. Only León, Irapuato, and Celaya are bigger. It is also the largest of four places named "Salamanca" in Mexico.

Delicious Food in Salamanca

Salamanca has many different kinds of food. This is because people from all over Mexico have moved there to work in the oil refinery. They come from cities like Veracruz, Oaxaca, and Mexico City.

Each of these cities has its own special dishes. So, in Salamanca, you can find many tasty options. These include enchiladas, wheat gorditas, pambazo, and hamburgers. You can also try its famous carnitas (pulled pork), arrachera (skirt steak), cabrito (goat), birria (spicy stew), and barbecue. Other choices are cecina (thinly sliced dried meat) and pizza.

You will find food stands on almost every street corner. Many types of local ice pops and ice cream are also very popular.

Industries and Jobs

The main industry in Salamanca is the petrochemical industry. This means making products from oil and natural gas. This industry has led to many companies and bus services for workers. The goal was to create an "industrial corridor" in the Bajio region.

The biggest Pemex oil refinery in Mexico is in Salamanca. It is also the 11th largest crude oil refinery in the world.

Another important employer is CFE Thermoelectric. This company provides many jobs in the area.

In February 2014, the car company Mazda opened a factory near Salamanca. When it is fully running, the factory plans to make up to 240,000 cars each year. It will also employ over 4,600 workers. About 30 percent of the cars sold in the United States will come from this factory.

Getting Around Salamanca

Roads and Highways

Section of the Salamanca-León highway

You can reach Salamanca using Mexican Federal Highway 45. This highway connects cities like Querétaro, Celaya, Irapuato, Silao, and León. You can also get to Mexico City using Mexican Federal Highway 57. Mexican Federal Highway 43 goes south to cities like Morelia and Lázaro Cárdenas.

Air Travel

Salamanca itself does not have an airport. However, you can use the Bajío International Airport (BJX). This airport serves the entire state of Guanajuato. The airport is about 50 kilometers (about 31 miles) away from the city.

Train Travel

Mexico has not had long-distance passenger train service since 2000. There is one tourist train line in the northwest. There are plans to build a statewide train system. It would connect the same cities linked by Highway 45. This project has been on hold for at least 10 years.

TV and Radio

There are four AM radio stations in Salamanca: XEMAS, XEEMM, XEZH, and XESAG. There is also one local TV channel available for people who subscribe to local cable.

Culture and Arts

Salamanca is known for its rich craft industry. Artists here make beautiful statues from wax, bronze, and pewter. The city is also home to the main office of the Center for the Arts of Guanajuato.

Important historical buildings in the city include the former convent of San Juan de Sahagún. Its church has 12 amazing altarpieces carved with 24-carat gold-plated sheets. The former parish of St. Bartolomé Apostle is also located here.

Higher Education Opportunities

Salamanca offers several places for students to continue their education after high school:

• University of Guanajuato, Engineering Division, Irapuato-Salamanca Campus (DICIS)
• Technological University of Salamanca (UTS)
• Centro de Estudios Profesionales de Salamanca (CEPSA)
• University of Salamanca University of La Salle Bajio
• University of Salamanca University of Leon
• School of Engineering and Architecture of Bajio ESIABAC

Sports Teams

Salamanca has a soccer team called Petroleros de Salamanca C.F.C.. They are also known as the Oilers. The team plays in Liga Premier.

Climate in Salamanca

Famous People from Salamanca

• Guillermina Jiménez Chabolla "Flor Silvestre" – A famous singer, actress, and horse rider. She honored Salamanca in one of her early songs, "Adoro mi tierra" (1950).
• Enriqueta Jiménez Chabolla "La Prieta Linda" – A well-known singer and actress.

See also

In Spanish: Salamanca (Guanajuato) para niños