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San Mateo del Mar facts for kids

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San Mateo del Mar
Municipality and town
San Mateo del Mar is located in Mexico
San Mateo del Mar
San Mateo del Mar
Location in Mexico
Country  Mexico
State Oaxaca
Area
 • Total 75.2 km2 (29.0 sq mi)
Population
 (2005)
 • Total 12,667
Time zone UTC-6 (Central Standard Time)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time)

San Mateo del Mar is a town and municipality located on the coast in Oaxaca, a state in south-western Mexico. It is part of the Tehuantepec District in the western part of the Istmo Region. San Mateo del Mar is the largest of four towns where the Huave live. The other three towns are San Dionisio del Mar, San Francisco del Mar, and Santa María del Mar.

In 2005, the total population of the municipality was 12,667 people.

Geography and Climate of San Mateo del Mar

The municipality covers an area of 75.2 square kilometers. It is right on the coast, next to the Pacific Ocean.

Weather in San Mateo del Mar

San Mateo del Mar has a warm climate. Most of its rain falls during the summer and early autumn months.

Plants and Animals of San Mateo del Mar

History of San Mateo del Mar

San Mateo del Mar was founded a long time ago, in the year 1606.

In July 2020, the town experienced some serious disagreements among groups of people. These conflicts were related to local elections and caused a lot of trouble. Leaders from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tehuantepec asked everyone to work towards peace and understanding.

People and Culture in San Mateo del Mar

According to the 2005 Census, San Mateo del Mar had 12,667 residents. There were 2,352 homes in the area.

Language Spoken in San Mateo del Mar

Most people in San Mateo del Mar speak a special language called Ikoot. A survey from 1990 showed that about 1,800 of these Ikoot speakers only spoke Ikoot and no other language.

Religion in San Mateo del Mar

The main religion in San Mateo del Mar is Christianity. This includes both Catholic and evangelical Christian followers.

The first church building in San Mateo del Mar was built between 1591 and 1620. Spanish priests helped oversee its construction. Local stories say that four men were buried at each corner of the church's foundation when it was being built.

Community Facilities in San Mateo del Mar

Utilities and Services

About 90% of the town's homes have easy access to clean drinking water.

Education for Kids

The municipality has several schools for children and teenagers:

  • 3 kindergartens
  • 2 primary schools
  • 1 high school

Sports and Fun Activities

San Mateo del Mar has places for people to play sports. You can find facilities for basketball, baseball, and volleyball.

Interesting Places to Visit

There is a museum in San Mateo del Mar called 'La Casa del Pueblo' (The People's House). It has exhibits that teach visitors about the unique Ikoot culture.

Economy and Jobs in San Mateo del Mar

The main ways people earn a living in San Mateo del Mar are through fishing and farming.

  • Fishing: Shrimp is the most common seafood caught and sold. Fishermen also catch fish like bass and bream.
  • Agriculture: Farmers grow crops such as corn and various vegetables. They also raise animals like cattle, pigs, and goats.

Besides fishing and farming, some people in the town create beautiful crafts. Traditional crafts include making baskets, pottery, and other earthenware items.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: San Mateo del Mar para niños

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