Villa Insurgentes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Villa Insurgentes El Calabazal
Town
Villa Insurgentes Location in Zacatecas Show map of Zacatecas Villa Insurgentes Location in Mexico Show map of Mexico
Country	Mexico
Largest City	Villa Insurgentes
Municipalities	39
Admission	1595
Order	17th
Elevation	2,150 m (7,050 ft)
Population  (2010)
• Total	2,837
• Density	16/km2 (40/sq mi)

Villa Insurgentes, also known as El Calabazal, is a town in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. It is part of the Sombrerete municipality. About 2,837 people live here. The town is located high up, at 2,150 meters (about 7,054 feet) above sea level.

The area around Villa Insurgentes is not very crowded. There are only about 16 people per square kilometer. The closest big city is Vicente Guerrero, which is about 14.5 kilometers (9 miles) to the west.

History of Villa Insurgentes

El Calabazal was founded a long time ago, between 1555 and 1595. It was started by a group of people from Spain led by Juan de Salas and Bernardino de Salas. This happened during an important time for the state of Zacatecas. We don't know if Juan and Bernardino were related.

Building the First Church

The first church in the town was built between 1801 and 1818. It was dedicated to Saint Joseph (San José in Spanish). The people of the community worked together to build it. They cut down pine trees from a nearby hill to make the roof. They also created the first cemetery in the Sombrerete area.

In 1975, the San José del Calabazal Parish church was expanded. The archbishop, Antonio López Aviña, made it bigger. He added to the old church instead of tearing it down.

Important Crosses and Celebrations

There is an old cross on top of a hill. It was placed there in 1940. It's called "De la Santa Cruz Misionera" because a missionary priest blessed it. Every year on May 22, people celebrate with traditional dances and music.

Another holy cross was made in 1972 in the La Laguna neighborhood. Masons from the community celebrate it every year on May 2. They have dances, fireworks, and a special mass.

A statue of Christ the King was made on September 20, 1961. A priest named Pablo Aurelio, whose father was a strong believer, helped create it. People celebrate this day every year with music, mass, and rockets.

In 1952, the town's name was changed to Villa Insurgentes. This is the name it still has today. The oldest part of the cemetery in Villa Insurgentes is called Pantheon (Old). The oldest burial there is from December 8, 1910.

Culture and Holidays in Villa Insurgentes

The town celebrates a big festival every year to honor San José. It starts on March 10 and ends on March 22. The celebration begins with nine days of special events. These include parades with decorated floats, dancing, and religious services.

On March 17, a queen is crowned, and there are traditional Mexican rodeo events. On March 19, there are morning songs, more dances, and horseback riding. There are also fireworks, games, and food stalls.

During Holy Week, a traditional viacrucis (Stations of the Cross) takes place. It goes from the San José del Calabazal Parish to the Holy Missionary Cross. This is where the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is remembered.

Since 1993, an image of Santo Niño de Atocha has been in Villa Insurgentes. This image travels from house to house every day of the year. People say a rosary and receive a small souvenir. When it's time for the big festivals in Plateros, the image is taken there. Plateros is a Catholic sanctuary about 5 kilometers (3 miles) from Fresnillo, Zacatecas.

Religion in Villa Insurgentes

San José del Calabazal Parish, a stone building with a cross on top.

Most people in Villa Insurgentes are Catholic. In 2016, about 75% of the community was Catholic. Villa Insurgentes is an important center for the Catholic Church in the area. The main church is the San José del Calabazal Parish Church, located on Moleros Avenue.

Other Religions in the Community

While most people are Catholic, other religions are also present in Villa Insurgentes:

• Baptists: 5%
• Judaism: 2%
• Buddhists: 3%
• Jehovah's Witnesses: 5%
• No beliefs: 3%
• Other religions: 7%

Climate in Villa Insurgentes

The weather in Villa Insurgentes, also known as El Calabazal, is cool for most of the year.

In spring (March and April), temperatures are usually between 7°C and 26°C. The first months of summer can get hot, up to 35°C. In July and August, when it rains more (around 750 mm), temperatures are between 13°C and 28°C.

In autumn, temperatures range from 8°C to 20°C. Winters are cold, with temperatures from 0°C to 18°C. In 2006, it even dropped to -6°C. The coldest temperatures are in December and January. This cold weather is because the town is high up, at 2,300 meters (about 7,546 feet). The highest parts of Cerro El Papantón can get as cold as -10°C.

May is the warmest month, with an average of over 24°C. January is the coldest, with an average of 12°C. The town gets about 608 mm of rain each year. September is the rainiest month (150 mm), and March is the driest (1 mm).

Water Sources in Villa Insurgentes

The main water source for the town is Arroyo Grande. There are also smaller streams like Las Cañadas and Arroyo Barbecho.

Plants and Animals of Villa Insurgentes

Villa Insurgentes is located in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. This area is a safe place for many animal species, including some found only here. The plants and animals are typical of pine forests in the higher areas. In lower parts, you'll find grasslands and dry weather plants. The Sierra de Órganos National Park is close by, about 27.59 kilometers (17 miles) from Villa Insurgentes.

Plant Life in the Region

Many types of trees grow in Villa Insurgentes, such as:

• Pine trees
• Oak trees

Other plants and trees you can find include:

• Palm trees
• Huizache
• Maguey (a type of agave)
• Nopal duraznillo (a type of cactus)
• Nopal cap (another type of cactus)
• Brush
• Oregano
• Manzanita
• Gatuño
• Jarilla
• Sotol
• Biznaga (a barrel cactus)
• Guayabillo
• Capulín (Mexican cherry)
• Tepozán
• Chives

Animal Life and Reproduction

Many animals live in this region, and some are unique to the area. Common animals you might see include:

• Dura scorpion
• Field mouse
• Rattlesnake
• Alicante snake
• Bats
• Hare
• Paloma huilota (mourning dove)
• Scaled quail
• White-winged pigeon
• Calandria (lark)
• Raccoon
• Wild boar
• Gray fox
• Rabbit
• Coyote
• Tlacuache (opossum)
• Badger
• Wildcat
• Skunk
• Spotted owl
• Lizards
• Spiders

You can also find many insects like:

• Dragonflies
• Damselflies
• Grasshoppers
• Crickets
• Butterflies
• Flies
• Mosquitoes
• Mantis
• Ladybugs
• Bees
• Wasps
• Ants
• Moisture mealybugs
• Centipedes

Domestic Animals

Domestic animals are those that humans have tamed and raised for a long time. They live with people and reproduce under human care. People keep them for work, food (like meat and eggs), and other services. These animals include:

• Horses
• Bulls
• Cows
• Sheep
• Goats
• Cats
• Dogs
• Hens
• Pigs
• Donkeys

Communities and Economy

The area around Villa Insurgentes is made up of several smaller towns and communities. These include Ojo de Agua, Santa Rita, Salas Pérez, and many others. The Sierra de Órganos National Park is also part of this area.

Communities Started by Villa Insurgentes Residents

Some communities were founded by people who originally came from Villa Insurgentes (El Calabazal):

• The Jewel, Dgo
• Child Gunner, Zac
• Salas Pérez, Zac
• Saint Joseph of the Currents, Dgo
• Santa Rita, Zac
• Eye of Water, Zac

Economic Activities in Villa Insurgentes

The main ways people make a living in Villa Insurgentes are:

• Farming (growing crops)
• Livestock (raising animals)
• Commerce (buying and selling goods)

Since January 13, 2018, a traditional market (tianguis) has been held in the center of Villa Insurgentes every Saturday. It's very popular with both local people and those from nearby communities. You can buy fruits, vegetables, clothes, Mexican snacks, sweets, and music there. This market helps the local economy.

Education in Villa Insurgentes

In Villa Insurgentes, there are 70 people aged 15 and older who cannot read or write. Also, 16 children between 6 and 14 years old do not go to school. Of the adults (15 years and older), 72 have no schooling at all, and 706 have not finished school. 165 people have a basic education, and 134 have gone beyond basic education.

About 71 young people, aged 15 to 24, have attended school. On average, people in the town have about 6 years of schooling.

The town has several schools:

• Gabino Barreda Kindergarten (since 1980)
• La Corregidora rural primary school
• Technical Secondary School No. 30 Moisés Sanz
• A distance learning high school/baccalaureate program from the State of Zacatecas. This program is connected to the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

Population Details

In Villa Insurgentes, there are 629 men and 726 women. For every 100 women, there are about 86.6 men. On average, women have about 3.19 children. About 26.35% of the people living in the town originally came from outside the state of Zacatecas.

About 3.54% of the people cannot read or write. This includes 3.82% of men and 3.31% of women. The average level of schooling for the population is 6.46 years. For men, it's 6.71 years, and for women, it's 6.24 years.

Very few people (0.00%) in Villa Insurgentes are indigenous. Only 0.01% of the population speaks an indigenous language and does not speak Spanish. About 26.94% of the people over 12 years old are working or looking for work. This includes 48.01% of men and 8.68% of women.

Town Delegates

These are the people who have served as delegates for Villa Insurgentes:

Places to Visit in Villa Insurgentes

If you visit Villa Insurgentes, here are some interesting places and events:

• San José del Calabazal Parish (the church)
• Employer Fair (FPVI) - a big annual fair
• Holy Week celebrations
• Holy Missionary Cross on the hill
• Christ the King statue
• Santa Cruz Masons celebration
• Plaza El Salvador (a town square)
• Humberto Serrano Ibarra Public Library
• Pantheon (Old) - the historic cemetery

Queens of the Villa Insurgentes Fair (FPVI)

Here are the queens who have been crowned at the Villa Insurgentes Fair:

Important People from Villa Insurgentes

• Juan De Salas: One of the founders of Villa Insurgentes (El Calabazal) between 1555 and 1595.
• Bernandino De Salas: Also a founder of Villa Insurgentes (El Calabazal) between 1555 and 1595.
• Antonio López Aviña: He was an archbishop who helped rebuild the San José del Calabazal Parish on December 21, 1975.

Media in Villa Insurgentes

Television Channels

Here are some TV channels you can watch in Villa Insurgentes:

Radio Stations

You can listen to these radio stations in Villa Insurgentes:

AM Radio

FM Radio

Roads and Transportation

Main Roads in Villa Insurgentes

The town has several important roads, including:

• Federal Highway 45
• López Mateos
• Constitution
• Corrector
• Cesar Lopez de Lara Boulevard
• Moleros
• Zarco
• Principal

Public Services in the Town

Here's a look at the public services available in Villa Insurgentes:

Ways to Get Around

Villa Insurgentes has two city buses that travel through its main streets. They also connect to nearby communities like Ojo de Agua, Santa Rita, and Salas Pérez.

• Route 1: This bus runs from 7:00 AM to 8:30 AM and from 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. On Saturdays and Sundays, it runs from 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM and 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. This bus helps people go shopping in the nearby town of Vicente Guerrero. It also helps students get to High School Cobaed and Cebetis.

• Route 2: This bus leaves around 6:30 AM to 7:00 AM and returns at 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday. It goes to the neighboring municipality of Sombrerete. This route is useful for students attending High School Cobaso and for shoppers.

Taxis are sometimes available, but it's best to check local schedules for current times.

See also

In Spanish: Villa Insurgentes para niños