Toluca facts for kids

Quick facts for kids

Toluca, Mexico

State Capital

Toluca de Lerdo

Flag	Coat of arms

Location of Toluca in the State of Mexico

Country

Mexico

State

Mexico

Region

Toluca

Metro area

Greater Toluca

Municipality

Toluca

Municipal Status

December 13, 1812

Municipal Seat

Toluca de Lerdo

Government

• Type

Ayuntamiento

Area

• City

452.37 km² (174.66 sq mi)

• Water

7.30 km² (2.82 sq mi)

Elevation

(of seat)

2,660 m (8,730 ft)

Population

(2020 Census)

• City

223,876

• Urban

2,476,689

• Metro

2,353,924

GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)

• Year

2023

• Total (Metro area)

$35.6 billion

• Per capita

$13,600

Time zone

UTC-6 (Central (US Central))

• Summer (DST)

UTC-5 (Central)

Postal code (of seat)

50000

Area code(s)

722 / 729

Demonym

Toluqueño (a)

Toluca, officially Toluca de Lerdo, is a big city in Mexico. It is the capital city of the State of Mexico. Toluca is home to over 910,000 people. It is also the center of a larger area called Greater Toluca, which has over 2.3 million people. This makes it the fifth largest city area in Mexico.

Toluca is about 63 kilometers (39 miles) southwest of Mexico City. It has grown quickly because it is so close to the capital. It is mostly an industrial city, meaning it has many factories. It is next to Metepec, which is one of the richest towns in the country.

The Toluca Valley has good roads and services. Its airport is important for helping with flights from Mexico City. A new train, "El Insurgente", will soon connect Toluca with Mexico City. This train will travel up to 160 kilometers per hour (100 mph).

People in Toluca have worked to make urban cycling popular. They want bicycles to be a way to get around the city.

Toluca has many cool places to visit. These include old buildings, the Cosmovitral botanical garden, parks, and museums. The city also hosts fun events like the Alfeñique Fair for Day of the Dead. There is also the Toluca International Film Festival.

Toluca is very high up, about 2,600 meters (8,530 feet) above sea level. This makes it the highest capital city in Mexico and North America. The weather is mild all year. Temperatures are usually between 6 and 25 degrees Celsius (43-77°F) in spring and summer. In winter, they range from -5 to 20 degrees Celsius (23-68°F). It rains mostly in the summer.

The high altitude is great for sports. However, Toluca is also one of the most polluted cities. This is due to factories and public transportation. So, exercising outdoors can sometimes be risky for health.

The Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club is the city's main sports team. It was started on February 12, 1917. Their stadium, Estadio Nemesio Diez, opened in 1954. It can hold 30,000 fans. The men's team has played in Liga MX since 1954. There is also a women's team, Deportivo Toluca Femenil, which started in 2017. They also play at the Estadio Nemesio Diez.

What's in a Name? The History of Toluca's Name

When the Matlatzinca people first built Toluca, they called it Nepintahihui. This means "land of corn." Later, in 1473, the Aztecs renamed the area. They used the Náhuatl word tollocan. This word comes from the god Tolo and means "place of Tolo." Some old Aztec books also call it Tolutépetl, which means "hill of the god, Tolo." This refers to the nearby volcano. In 1861, the city was named Toluca de Lerdo. This was to honor President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada.

Toluca's Past: A Look at Its History

Ancient Times: Before the Spanish Arrived

The Toluca Valley was once called Matlatzinco Valley. Four different language groups lived there: Matlatzinca, Otomi, Mazahua, and Nahua. A powerful city called Calixtlahuaca ruled the valley. Its ruins are just north of modern Toluca.

In 1478, the Mexica emperor Axayacatl conquered the Toluca Valley. Calixtlahuaca lost its power. The Aztecs made Tollocan, a smaller city, their new capital in the area. Towns in the valley, including Calixtlahuaca, paid taxes to the Aztec Empire through Tollocan. After the Spanish arrived, Tollocan became Toluca.

Archaeologists haven't found a large ancient city under modern Toluca. It might have been destroyed or is located outside the current city. A small ancient site was found on Tolochi hill. An important tree, "Las Manitas Rojas" (Little Red Hands), was planted before the Spanish arrived. This shows that Toluca was important enough for the Aztecs to have a special garden.

Colonial Period: Spanish Rule in Toluca

In 1521, the Spanish took control of the Toluca Valley. Gonzalo de Sandoval, one of Cortes' leaders, led the troops. Pedro Cortés Coyotzin became Toluca's first governor. The area was given to Hernán Cortés by King Carlos V of Spain.

In 1524, Christian missionaries came to Toluca. Fray Andrés Castro was a very important friar. He made many improvements to the city. He was also the first to learn the native Matlatzincan language. The Matlatzinca people loved him because he protected them from unfair treatment. A plaza in Toluca is named after him, with a statue.

A Spanish community was set up in 1530. But Toluca was not called a town until 1677. In 1793, work began on a road to Mexico City. Toluca was officially named a city by King Carlos IV of Spain on September 12, 1799.

Independence and Modern Times: Toluca's Growth

In 1810, the independence movement began. Miguel Hidalgo stayed in Toluca for a few days. In 1811, Spanish soldiers killed many native people. The place where this happened is now called "Plaza of the Martires" (Plaza of the Martyrs). In 1812, Toluca got its first city council. Local leaders declared independence in 1821.

After the State of Mexico was created in 1825, its capital moved several times. In 1830, Toluca became the official capital. In 1832, the famous "Los Portales" buildings were started downtown. In 1847, the Institute of Literature opened. This was thanks to Ignacio Ramírez.

In the late 1800s, Toluca became more modern. The railroad opened in 1881. The first bank bills in Mexico were made by the Bank of State of Mexico. In 1882, the Teachers College was founded. In 1910, people celebrated 100 years of independence.

Exploring Toluca's Geography and Natural Beauty

The area of Toluca, called a municipality, covers about 420 square kilometers (162 square miles). It includes many smaller towns. The Lerma River flows through the middle of the municipality. It goes west towards Lake Chapala.

The Nevado de Toluca volcano is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of the city. Ancient people believed the god Tolo lived in its crater. Its original name was Xinantecatl, meaning "naked man." This is because its shape looks like a sleeping person. The Spanish later called it Nevado, meaning "snow-covered."

The Nevado de Toluca is a popular place for sports like mountain biking and climbing. It is the only volcano in Mexico where you can drive into the crater. It also has two lagoons inside. People can go scuba-diving and fishing there. The area became the Nevado de Toluca National Park in 1936. It has pine and fir trees. You can find animals like squirrels and eagles there.

Sierra Morelos Park is about 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) from central Toluca. It is a reforested area with a small lake, picnic spots, and a playground.

Toluca's Climate: Weather Patterns

Toluca has a subtropical highland climate. This means it has cool, dry winters and mild, wet summers. Because it is so high up (2,680 meters or 8,793 feet above sea level), Toluca is the coolest large city in Mexico. Winter nights are cold, and temperatures can drop below 0°C (32°F). Throughout the year, it rarely goes below -3°C (27°F) or above 27°C (81°F).

Most of the rain falls between June and September. The areas outside the city have forests with oak, pine, and fir trees.

Toluca's Economy: How the City Makes Money

In the past, Toluca was known for smoked meats, especially chorizo sausage. Today, Toluca's economy is much bigger. It is one of the most industrialized areas in Mexico. Its location in the center of the country and close to Mexico City helps it grow.

Toluca started growing in the 1940s. But the biggest growth happened from the 1950s to the 1980s. Many international companies have factories here. They produce food, metals, paper, and cars. Over 33% of the people in Toluca's city area work in industries.

Outside the main city, people still work in farming and raising animals. They grow corn, wheat, beans, and potatoes. Raising cattle, pigs, and chickens is also important. Tourism, especially to the Nevado de Toluca volcano and the Calixtlahuaca ruins, brings in money. These places make up about 50% of the state's tourism income.

Industrial Zone: Factories and Jobs

Toluca is a key economic center in Mexico. It has many industries that make drinks, food, textiles, cars, and electronics. Since 1944, many companies have chosen Toluca for their factories. In 1965, the Toluca-Lerma-Tianguistenco industrial zone began to attract even more businesses.

Today, Toluca has five major industrial parks. Big companies like Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Coca-Cola, Nissan, Nestlé, and Pfizer have facilities here. Chrysler's Toluca Car Assembly has made cars since 1968. It employs 2,300 people. Many of these companies have complete manufacturing and research centers in Toluca.

Getting Around Toluca: Transportation Options

Roads and Highways

Toluca has good highways that connect it to other major cities in Mexico. The Libramiento (bypass) Toluca helps traffic go around the city. This makes it easier to get to the airport.

Highways connecting Toluca to Mexico City and Guadalajara are being improved. This is part of the "Mexiquese Outer Loop" project. It aims to make major highways better.

Rail Travel

A new train line, the Toluca–Mexico City commuter rail, will connect Toluca to Mexico City. It is expected to open soon.

Airport Access

Toluca is served by Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport. The airport has a 4,200-meter (13,780-foot) runway. It is 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Toluca and 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Mexico City. It helps handle extra flights for Mexico City.

This airport has grown a lot. It has created 4,500 jobs. Many people from Mexico City now use the Toluca airport. In 2007, 2.2 million passengers used it. It is expected to reach five million travelers soon. This would make it the 4th busiest airport in Mexico.

Bike Sharing

Toluca has a public bike sharing system called Huizi. It started in 2015 with 27 stations and 350 bicycles.

Learning in Toluca: Education and Schools

As the capital of the State of Mexico, Toluca has many important schools. The main public university is the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (UAEM). There are also private universities like Universidad Tecnológica de México (UNITEC) and Tecnológico de Monterrey (ITESM).

Toluca has 574 schools and about 8,320 teachers. The UAEM started as the Literary Institute in 1828. Many famous people studied there. The university became independent in 1956. Its main campus, "Ciudad Universitaria" (University City), is built around a hill.

Exploring Toluca's Famous Landmarks

The center of Toluca is the Zócalo, also called Plaza de los Mártires (Plaza of the Martyrs). It has important buildings like the State Government Palace. The square is named after an event during the Mexican War of Independence. Over a hundred Mexican rebels were killed there by Spanish soldiers. A monument to Father Miguel Hidalgo, a hero of Mexican independence, stands in the center.

The central plaza is surrounded by government buildings. The state court building and the municipal palace are from the 19th century. The Chamber of Deputies building has murals by Leopoldo Flores. These murals show people building things and growing as individuals.

The Temple of La Merced is one of the oldest churches. It shows different building styles from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Inside, it has beautiful paintings.

Los Portales are famous arches that surround a city block. They are a social and shopping area. There are three sets of arches: the eastern (37 arches), southern (44 arches), and western (35 arches). Some of the city's oldest shops are located near Los Portales.

The Plaza de Fray Andrés de Castro is next to Los Portales. It was once part of an old monastery. Today, it has traditional shops selling candies and regional foods.

The main cathedral was designed by Ramon Rodriguez Arangoiti. It has a mix of styles from different building periods. The outside has columns and statues of saints. The dome is topped with a bronze statue of Saint Joseph, who is the patron saint of Toluca.

The Tercer Orden Temple is next to the main cathedral. It has a popular indigenous Baroque style. It was once the main church for the bishop.

The Cosmovitral is a botanical garden inside a large building. It was built in 1910 as a market. Now, it has over 400 types of plants from around the world. It is also famous for its huge stained-glass windows, which are considered the largest in the world. Artist Leopoldo Flores created them. The stained-glass ceiling shows the Milky Way galaxy. It has more than 30,000 pieces of glass in 28 different colors.

Sierra Morelos Park is a large green area in Toluca. It covers 302 hectares (746 acres) and has many pine and oak trees.

The Santa Veracruz Temple holds a famous image called "Our Lord of the Holy Cross," or "Black Christ." This image was so popular that a special church was built for it.

Museums: Exploring Art and History

Toluca has many important museums, second only to Mexico City. They honor famous Mexican artists.

The Museo de Bellas Artes (Museum of Fine Arts) is Toluca's oldest museum, founded in 1945. It shows art from the 18th century. It is in an old convent building.
The Museo de Ciencias Naturales (Museum of Natural Sciences) is in Matlatzinca Park. It has exhibits about natural sciences. It also has collections of butterflies and other animals.
The Museo de la Estampa (Print Museum) opened in 1987. It shows different types of graphic art by famous artists.
The Museo de la Acuarela (Watercolor Museum) was founded in 1993. It is one of the few museums in the world dedicated to watercolors. It features works by Mexican artists.
The Museo de la Numismática (Numismatics Museum) opened in 1987. It shows Mexico's history through coins from ancient times to today. It is unique in Latin America.
The Museo José María Velasco (José María Velasco Museum) honors a famous 19th-century landscape artist. It has about 40 of his paintings.
The Museo Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez (Felipe Santiago Gutiérrez Museum) also has 19th-century Mexican paintings. It shows 225 of Gutiérrez's works.
The Museo-Taller Luis Nishizawa (Luis Nishizawa Workshop-Museum) opened in 1992. It is in one of Toluca's oldest mansions.
The Centro Cultural Mexiquense has three museums:
- The Museo de Arte Moderno (Museum of Modern Art) has a great collection of Mexican paintings from the 20th and 21st centuries.
- The Museo de Culturas Populares (Museum of Popular Cultures) displays many crafts. These include items made of wood, glass, textiles, and traditional toys.
- The Museo de Antropología e Historia (Museum of Anthropology and History) has over 1,000 items. It covers Mexico's history and geography.
The Museo de Sitio (Site Museum) at Calixtlahuaca is just north of Toluca. It has items found at the ancient Calixtlahuaca site.
The CASART or Casa de Artesanias (House of Handcrafts) sells crafts from the Toluca Valley area. You can find sweaters, shawls, rugs, and pottery.
The Modelo Museum of Science and Industry is a science museum. It is run by Grupo Modelo, a big company in the brewing industry.

Toluca's Culture: Traditions and Arts

Toluca has many traditional celebrations. One is the "silent procession" on Holy Friday. People gather in the city center to show respect for Jesus Christ.

The city has two official orchestras: a State orchestra and a Municipal one. Many schools have marching bands. There are also dance schools, like the Instituto Mexiquense de Cultura.

Toluca also has a youth marching band called "Eagles of Anahuac." It was the first youth marching band in Mexico, started about 35 years ago.

Delicious Toluca: Food and Drink

Mexican food mixes European and ancient Mesoamerican styles. In Toluca, the most famous food is chorizo. This is a regional sausage made from ground pork and spices. Other popular dishes include "tacos de carnitas" (pork tacos) and "tacos de plaza." These tacos are made with different meats, vegetables, and chili sauce.

Traditional foods also include local vegetables like "quelites" and "huazontles."

Toluca has many traditional candies. These include "alegrías" (a sweet made with amaranth), "jamoncillos" (candy bars), and "cocadas" (coconut candies).

For drinks, "mosquito" is popular. It is made by soaking fruit in alcohol. "Tepache," a fermented pineapple drink, is also common.

Sports in Toluca: Home of Champions

Toluca is home to several professional sports teams.

Club	Sport	Founded	League	Venue	Opened
Deportivo Toluca F.C.	Football	1917	Liga MX	Estadio Nemesio Díez	1954
Deportivo Toluca F.C. Femenil	Football	2017	Liga MX Femenil	Estadio Nemesio Díez	1954

The Deportivo Toluca football club is very famous. Their home stadium, the Estadio Nemesio Díez, is a city landmark. It is nicknamed "La Bombonera" (The Bonbon Box).

Many famous boxers use Toluca as a training center. These include Julio César Chávez.