Santa Cruz Atizapán facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Santa Cruz Atizapán
Municipality And City
Santa Cruz Atizapán Location in Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Mexico (state)
Area
• Total	8.42 km2 (3.25 sq mi)
Population  (2020)
• Total	12 984 - 16 800
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central Standard Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (Central Daylight Time)
Area code(s)	713 / 722
Website	.

Santa Cruz Atizapán is a city and municipality located in Mexico State, Mexico. Its name comes from the Nahuatl language. It means "in the white water" or "on the white land." The municipality covers a small area of about 8.42 square kilometers.

As of 2020, the city was home to around 16,800 people.

History of Santa Cruz Atizapán

Ancient Settlements and Early Life

Long ago, in pre-Hispanic times, Atizapán was known as Tepozoco. This name means "round hill of porous stone." Archeological finds show that people lived here about 200,000 years ago.

Ancient groups like the Otomíes, Matlatzincas, and Mazahuas lived in the Toluca Valley. The Matlatzincas, sometimes called "the grandparents," built four pyramids in Tepozoco, Atizapán.

These early people were skilled at many things. They fished and used reeds (tule) to make mats and other household items. They were also expert farmers. They created chinampas (floating gardens) and grew crops like corn, beans, and squash. They were also good at using bows and arrows. Around the year 640, some Matlatzincas settled near the waters of Atizapán.

Aztec Conquest and Spanish Arrival

In 1476, the Aztec ruler Axayácatl conquered many towns in the Toluca Valley, including Atizapán. It became part of the area controlled by Tlacupan (Tacuba). Axayácatl moved Aztec families to Atizapán to show their power and spread their culture. This is why Atizapán was called a "town of Mexicans."

In July 1521, Hernán Cortés sent Gonzalo de Sandoval to conquer the towns in the Matlatzinco Valley. Atizapán was among the towns that were conquered. After the Spanish conquest, a group of Charenses, who had been forced out of Michoacán, came to Atizapán.

Colonial Times and Land Ownership

Hernán Cortés was rewarded by the Spanish crown for conquering New Spain. He became the Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca. This gave him control over a large area, including towns in the Toluca Valley like Atizapán.

On November 19, 1528, Cortés appointed Juan Gutiérrez Altamirano as the first governor of the Toluca region. He was given lands from Atizapán to Toluca. For a few years (1530-1536), Atizapán was managed by the Gutiérrez Altamirano family and others.

In 1542, a friar named Andrés de Castro gave the town the name Santa Cruz Atizapán. He made the Lorraine or Patriarchal Cross its patron symbol. In 1552, Mr. Gutiérrez Altamirano built the huge Atenco hacienda (a large estate). This was the first cattle ranch in Latin America and was known for raising fighting bulls.

In 1592, the Spanish Crown officially recognized Santa Cruz Atizapán. Bartolomé Miguel, the town's chief, received important titles for his town from the Viceroy. During the time of Spanish rule, there were many disagreements with nearby towns over land and water rights in Santa Cruz Atizapán.

Path to Independence and Municipality Status

On October 29, 1810, during the Mexican War of Independence, Atizapán played an important role. Miguel Hidalgo's army passed through the Atenco bridge in Atizapán. This helped them reach Las Cruces Mountain. Many people from Atizapán joined Hidalgo's army. They fought in a major battle, which Hidalgo's army won.

Later, during the French Intervention, the people of Atizapán faced unfair treatment from authorities. They were given harsh punishments for small offenses. These events made the people of Atizapán want their town to become its own municipality.

At that time, Benito Juárez was being pursued by conservatives. When he passed through Atizapán, the locals welcomed him. They told him about their problems, and he encouraged them to work towards becoming a municipality.

On October 18, 1870, Santa Cruz Atizapán officially became a municipality of the State of Mexico.

Mexican Revolution and Local Heroes

During the Mexican Revolution, Tenango del Valle was a main base for the Carrancistas, who fought against the Zapatistas. Antonio Hernández Mejía, from Atizapán, joined General Emiliano Zapata's troops. Along with other citizens, he helped protect the town from the federal army.

After the revolution, peace returned. However, Atizapán did not receive land from the Atenco hacienda to form its own ejido (communal land). To this day, the lands are still considered communal, just as they were under the Aztecs.

Notable People from Atizapán

• Antonio Hernández Mejía: Born around 1860 in Santa Cruz Atizapán, he was a strong supporter of the Zapatista movement. He bravely defended his town, preventing federal troops from entering and causing harm. He was known as the "defender of Atizapán" and was highly respected by his community.

• María Magdalena Monroy Rosel: Born on July 22, 1912, she greatly admired rural people. She worked in the League of Agrarian Communities in Toluca. She often helped farmers in the region.

• Professor María Ruiz Zetina: Born on April 25, 1931, she was a respected leader who supported education and social work. Thanks to her efforts, the "General Lázaro Cárdenas" Kindergarten was built over 50 years ago. She also helped train women for work.

Economy of Santa Cruz Atizapán

Main Economic Activities

In 1991, the area had a lot of farmland. About 231,685 hectares were used for growing crops. Farmers produced things like forage oats, beans, and corn. There were also many animals, including cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, and chickens. Beekeeping was also practiced.

In 1992, the total value of goods and services produced in the area was 91,038 million pesos.

How People Earn a Living

In 1990, out of 3,626 people over 12 years old, 1,465 had jobs. Many worked in different areas:

• Primary sector: 345 people worked in farming and livestock.
• Secondary sector: 724 people worked in industries like manufacturing.
• Tertiary sector: 339 people worked in services.

Many people were employees, day laborers, or self-employed. A main economic activity in the area is sewing.

Historical Monuments and Landmarks

Ancient Sites

One important historical site is the archaeological zone called "Sitio 110 La Campana Tepozoco." It is a mound that holds ancient remains. It was built with adobe bricks laid in layers. On the northern part of the hill, there is a building where two circular pyramids dedicated to Ehecatl (the Aztec god of wind) were found. This archaeological area includes La Campana, the Santa Clara ranch, and the Tepozoco, Pantépetl, and Tepiololco hills.

Buildings and Art

The church of Santa Cruz Atizapán is a notable architectural monument. It was built in the 19th century in a neoclassical style. It features an impressive Lorraine or patriarchal Cross on its main front and another on the main altar.

Many buildings in Atizapán show Mexican colonial art. They are often made of adobe with clay tile roofs. Other historical monuments include busts of important figures like Hidalgo, Juárez, and Emiliano Zapata. There is also an arch and obelisk dedicated to José María Morelos y Pavón.

Religious buildings include the Pantépetl chapel, built on March 17, 1879, and the Santo Niño chapel from 1863. The paintings inside these temples are also significant.

See also

In Spanish: Santa Cruz Atizapán para niños