Zacualpan de Amilpas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Zacualpan Tzakualpan de Amilpas Zacualpan de Amilpas
Town and Municipality
Country	Mexico
State	Morelos
Municipality	1849
Area
• Total	64 km2 (25 sq mi)
Elevation	1,636 m (5,367 ft)
Population  (2015)
• Total	9,370
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central Zone)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (Central Zone)
Area code(s)	731
Website	Official site : https://ayuntamientozacualpandeamilpas.gob.mx/

Zacualpan de Amilpas is a town and municipality in the Mexican state of Morelos. It is located in the northeastern part of Morelos. The town is the main center for the surrounding municipality, sharing the same name.

To the north, you'll find the municipality of Tetela del Volcán. To the south is Temoac. The state of Puebla is to the east, and to the west are Ocuituco and Yecapixtla. In 2015, about 9,370 people lived in the municipality.

The name Zacualpan comes from the Nahuatl language. It means "atop that which is covered." Amilpas refers to 25 settlements once controlled by Moctezuma Ilhuicamina. This name was still used during the time of Spanish rule.

History of Zacualpan

Early History of Zacualpan

Experts believe the Olmecs were the first people to live in Zacualpan de Amilpas. They arrived between 1000 and 900 BCE. Later, the Toltecs came to the area. After them, groups called Chichimecas and Chalcas also settled here. They helped start new communities in places like Totolapan, Tepoztlán, Tlayacapan, and Zacualpan.

Spanish Conquest and Colonial Times

Captain Gonzalo de Sandoval conquered the Amilpas Plain, including Zacualpan, on March 14, 1521. A man named Francisco de Solis received several villages, including Zacualpan. He started farms, growing wheat and corn, and kept beehives.

In 1533, monks arrived to teach Christianity in Zacualpan. Fray Francisco de la Cruz sent Jorge de Ávila and Jerónimo de San Esteban to the region. In 1535, these two monks began building a church and a convent. It was dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary. The building was designed by Fray Juan de la Cruz. He was a skilled architect from the Augustinian order.

The church has a simple, rectangular shape. It features tall arches and strong columns. The side Chapel of the Rosary was added in the 18th century. The front of the church has a semi-circular arch. The monastery and cloister are also very simple. The courtyard has stone walls and arches. The entire complex was built on top of older, pre-Hispanic foundations.

Large farms called haciendas were also started in the 16th century. These included San Nicolás in Zacualpan and Chicomocelo.

19th Century Changes

Zacualpan was originally part of the Puebla region. In 1849, Zacualpan became its own municipality. This happened because it did not want to be controlled by Cuernavaca. When the State of Morelos was created in 1869, Zacualpan became part of the Cuautla District.

Revolution and the 20th Century

During the Mexican Revolution, many men from Zacualpan joined the Zapatistas. They supported Emiliano Zapata and his ideas. Zapata believed in education. He ordered schools to be built in several towns, including Zacualpan. The old church and convent were even used as military bases during the fighting.

In 1937, an earthquake caused cracks in the convent walls. This led to a law being passed in 1939. This law declared colonial convents national monuments. It also provided money to help preserve them.

Later, in 1977, Temoac became a separate municipality. This happened because of disagreements between Zacualpan and its nearby communities.

Zacualpan in the 21st Century

On September 19, 2017, a powerful earthquake hit the region. It caused a lot of damage in Zacualpan. The town was only about 39.3 kilometers (24.4 miles) from the earthquake's center. Sadly, many people in Morelos lost their lives.

In 2018, Roberto Adrian Cazares Gonzalez was elected as the Presidente Municipal (mayor). He was part of the "Morelos First" group.

In 2019, the state of Morelos started its own tourism program. It is called Pueblos Encantados ("Charmed Towns"). Zacualpan de Amilpas was the first town in Morelos to join this program. It helps promote tourism and local culture.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, Zacualpan was unique. For a while, it was the only municipality in Morelos without reported cases. Later, it did report some cases, but it managed the situation well.

Historical Sites and Monuments

Zacualpan de Amilpas is home to several important historical places.

• Convent of the Immaculate Conception: This convent was built by Augustinian monks in the 16th century. It is a very important historical site. In 1994, UNESCO declared it a World Heritage site.
• Hacienda de Chicomocelo: This old farm was built by Jesuits in the 17th century. It is mostly in ruins today.
• Church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción: Another historic church in the area.
• Hacienda of San Nicolás Cuautepec: Jesuit friars built this hacienda in the 16th century. They used its income to fund a school in Mexico City. An aqueduct was built to bring water for the sugar cane fields. Since 1975, a high school has been located at this site.
• Xolozuchitl Museum: This museum is located in Tlacotepec.

Traditions and Culture

Zacualpan de Amilpas has a very old tradition called the barter fair and Tianguis. This tradition dates back to 700 BCE. Every Sunday morning, people from Zacualpan and nearby towns gather. They meet outside the church to trade farm goods, animals, and handmade crafts. This is a unique way for communities to exchange items.

There are also special festivals. A fair takes place in Tlacotepec from August 12 to 16. It celebrates the Assumption of Mary. In Zacualpan, there is a festival on the second Sunday of October. This honors Our Lady of the Rosary. These events often feature brass bands and traditional Chinelos dancers.

Traditional foods from Zacualpan include:

• Green mole of pepita (pipián).
• Tamales de ceniza (ashes tamales).
• Red mole with turkey.
• Cecina (dried meat) with cream, cheese, and green sauce.
• Barbecued goat.

Zacualpan de Amilpas is also known for its aguardiente, a strong alcoholic drink.

Geography

Location, Altitude, and Area

Zacualpan de Amilpas is in the northeast part of Morelos. It is located at 98° 46' West longitude and 18°47' North latitude. The town is about 1,640 meters (5,381 feet) above sea level. The municipality covers an area of about 53.77 square kilometers (20.76 square miles).

Relief and Water Resources

Zacualpan de Amilpas is located in the foothills of the Popocatépetl Volcano. The area has deep, narrow valleys called ravines. The soil here is mostly from volcanic eruptions.

Several streams flow through the area. The Amatzinac River starts near the Popocatépetl volcano. There are also five streams in Tlacotepec. A small dam on the Amatzinac River is located in Zacualpan town.

Climate

The climate in Zacualpan is semi-warm all year. It is also semi-humid in the spring season. The average temperature is about 19.7°C (67.5°F). The area receives about 943 millimeters (37.1 inches) of rain each year.

Plants and Animals

The plants in the municipality are mostly low deciduous forest. This means trees lose their leaves in the dry season. You can find trees like jacarandá, Mexican holdback, casahuate, and seiba. There are also plants like copal (used for incense) and bougainvillea.

The animals include raccoons, Coatis (like raccoons), skunks, and armadillos. You might also see hares, rabbits, coyotes, and wildcats. Birds like the flag bird, chachalaca (a noisy bird), and magpies live here. Buzzards, ravens, owls, and many songbirds are also common.

Economy

Zacualpan de Amilpas is mainly an agricultural area. This means farming is the most important activity. The main crops grown here are sorghum, beans, and corn. Farmers also grow fruits like guava, papaya, and peaches in orchards.

Ranches in the area raise animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses. They also raise fowl like chickens. Other economic activities, like commerce and services, are not as common. Volcanic rocks found in the area are also mined.

See also

In Spanish: Zacualpan de Amilpas para niños