State of Mexico
State of Mexico
Estado de México | |
|---|---|
 Flag Coat of arms of State of Mexico Coat of arms | |
 Location within Mexico | |
| Country |  Mexico |
| Capital | Toluca |
| Municipalities | 126 |
| Largest City | Ecatepec |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Enrique Peña Nieto (PRI) |
| • Federal Deputies | PRI: 7 PAN: 11 PRD: 20 Convergencia: 2 |
| • Federal Senators | Yeidckol Polevnsky (PRD) Héctor Bautista (PRD) Ulises Ramírez (PAN) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 21,355 km2 (8,245 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 14,007,495(Ranked 1st) |
| HDI (2004) | 0.7789 - medium Ranked 18th |
| ISO 3166-2 | MX-MEX |
| Postal abbr. | Mex. |
| Website | State of Mexico Government |
The State of México (often abbreviated to "Edomex" from Estado de México in Spanish) is a state in the center of the nation of Mexico. The State's capital is the city of Toluca.
The Pre-Columbian ruins of the city of Teotihuacan are located in the State of México.
Geography
The State of Mexico is located in the central part of the Mexican Republic between 18’ 21’ 29’’ and 20’ 17’ 20’’ north, and 98’35’50’’ and 100’36’3” west, with an altitude that varies from 1,330 meters above sea level to 2,800. The state has a surface of 22,499.95 km2 (8,687.28 sq mi), which represents 1.1% of Mexican territory.[1]
Political geography
Borders
The State of México is bounded to the north by Hidalgo and Querétaro, to the east by Tlaxcala and Puebla, to the south by Morelos and Guerrero, and to the west by Michoacán. It surrounds to the east, north and west of the Mexican Federal District and capital Mexico City and has an area of 1,479 km2 (571 sq mi), which is not in the state of Mexico, but borders it to the west, north and east of the District.[2]
Political division
It is integrated by 121 municipalities grouped into 8 socioeconomic regions:
- Toluca, which has 24 municipalities
- Zumpango, which has 30 municipalities
- Texcoco, which has 25 municipalities
- Tejupilco, which has 5 municipalities
- Atlacomulco, which has 9 municipalities
- Coatepec Hatinas, which has 12 municipalities
- Valle de Bravo, which has 9 municipalities
- Jilotepec, which has 7 municipalities[1]
Natural geography
Features
Its surface total is 2,249,978.9 hectares (8,687.2 sq mi). It is used for agriculture, forest and livestock. 14% of the territory is urban, water and industrial zones.[3]
Biosphere
Characterized for its big planes. To the north is a region called "Los Llanos", its vegetation is conformed by mezquites, pirules and nopales. In the State of Mexico, there are oak trees and holm oak like in Cuzdha and El Rosal in San Miguel Calpulalpan. Toluca and Lerma are in the central valleys, where industries are the main income. In the surrounding hills, the vegetation is formed by pines and holm oaks. There are "cedros blancos" at the Bncheves National Park. Ocotes are very common in "El Oro". In the central valley are industries and cultive lands. In the surrounding hills, the vegetation is conformed by pines. In the hot land, the vegetation is like in the low jungle. It is found capl, guajes, papelillos, acacias, palo de Brasil, guacima and amate.[4]
Mountains and valleys
The state is divided by two unequal parts: the Cross-sectional Volcanic Axis, which is formed with summits, level and the Mountain Range of Queretaro and Hidalgo, and the Mountain Range Mother of the South, which comes from the depression of the Balsas river, in addition to valleys from Guerrero. Inside this system are included the Sierra de Ajusco and Montes de las Cruces, which form a wooded ridge across it from east to west, with a general elevation of about 3000 meters above sea-level, or about 800 meters above the plateau level. These ranges are part of a broken irregular chain which sometimes bears the name of Anahuac.[1]
The most important summits are the Snowed Mountain Range, Mountain Range of the Crosses, “Nevado de Toluca” and the valleys of Toluca-Lerma and Cuautitlan- Texcoco.[3]
Lakes and rivers
A considerable part of the northern plateau consists of a broad plain, once the bed of a great lake but now covered with swamps, sodden meadows and lakes. The surrounding country drains into this depression, but an artificial outlet has been created by the opening of the Tequixquiac tunnel. Beyond its margin, the plateau drains westward to the Pacific Ocean through the Lerma River that has a surface of 6,147.49 km2 (2,373.56 sq mi), and north-east to the Gulf of South of the Sierra de Ajusco, the country is roughly mountainous and drains to the Pacific through tributaries of the Balsas River that has 8,372.14 km2 (3,232.50 sq mi) through the San Juan and Panuco river that has a surface of 7,980.32 km2 (3,081.22 sq mi).[4]
Within the lacustrine depression of the north are the lakes of Zumpango, San Cristobal, Xaltocan, Chalco, Xochimilco and Texcoco, the latter three lying partly or wholly in the Federal District.
Weather
They are predominated the tempering climates: tempering-humid and tempering- sub humid, that occupy about 60% of the surface of the state. The annual average temperature in the south-east is about 20 °C (68 °F), and the north is about 13 °C (55 °F). The annual rainfall rate is between 600 and 1800 mm.[4]
History
Pre-Hispanic
There were several Aztec codices about history, religion, tribute’s administration, cartography (maps) from the 16th century. The pre-Columbian codices differ from European codices in that they are largely pictorial; they were not meant to symbolize spoken or written narratives.[5] The colonial era codices not only contain Aztec pictograms, but also Classical Nahuatl (in the Latin alphabet), Spanish, and occasionally Latin. Examples of these Aztec codices include:as Tlacotepec, Xilotepec codex, Tezcoco-Acampan codex.
There were different ethnic groups including the Otomi, Mazahua, Matlatzinca and Chichimeca.
Toluca was conquered by the Mexicas. The Mexicas had to fight against Azcapotzalco.
Some of the more important Aztec emperors were Cuauhtitlan, Tezozomoc, Azcapotzalco, Tlalmanalco, Opochihuacan and Xaltocan.
The State of Mexico is part of a cultural area called Mesoamerica characterized by homogeneous cultural elements despite the presence of multiple linguistic groups.[6]
Colonial period
The first incursions of Spaniards to the State of Mexico were led by Andrés de Tapia who destroyed the population of Malinalco in 1521. Later, Gonzálo de Sandoval arrived in Toluca Valley and defeated the Matlazincas who were allied with the Aztecs. After the fall of the Aztec empire, some Mazahuas were taken to rebuild Mexico City. Evangelization began in 1523 in Texcoco by Brother Pedro de Gante, who funded the Padua school. In 1524, the first religious order formed by the Franciscans came.
When Cortez arrived, the conditions of the political situation were on his side. The heirs of the Tetzcoco crown were having a conflict. Cortez took advantage of and conquered what is now the State of Mexico. The Colonial period was when the original inhabitants formed a new world. They established new values, structures and created what now is known as the State of Mexico. This period began with the creation of small villages, territory delimitation, and the most important characteristic: the establishment of the original authority. Since this period, religion has been a very important of Mexican culture. The influence of the Dominicans and Augustinians was as greatimportant as that of the Franciscans” left. Education was well organized until “Jesus Company” arrived. In the 17th century, the native communities’ culture started to fall apart.
In 1799, the town of Toluca was declared a city by Carlos V.
At the beginning of the independence movement in 1810, Miguel Hidalgo visited Mexico City. On his way there, he passed through many towns of Toluca, gathering supporters among the people of Toluca. On October 24, 1810, Hidalgo fought against Agustin de Iturbe and won. On October 28, Hidalgo entered Toluca with his army and put the army of Torcuato Trujillo to flight.[7]
From the Revolution to 1990
In this period, State of Mexico’s population increased considerably; to around 12 million inhabitants, and became the state with the largest population. Two cities from the state, Mexico and Toluca, became the centers of many important industrial activities, not only for the state, but also for the country.
The State of Mexico's economic transformation during this period produced a dual society; an urban one and a rural one. The urban society was known as the rich group from the state, which considerably had the highest incomes of the country in comparison to other urban groups from other states. The rural society is characterized of being a population where the presence of poverty is really marked.
One of this period’s consequences is the partition of land. The State of Mexico gained from the 50’s land partition, after the Mexican Revolution, about 800,000 ha (3,088.8 sq mi). In spite of new land for the state, it did not help to decrease the poverty rate.
The period is also known for a big transformation of the economic activities of the State of Mexico. The first type of industrial investment was done during this period. The State of Mexico with a stock-breeder history, transformed itself into an industrial economic Mexican place.[6] The manufactory industry became the major economic activity and the reason of an economic progress for the state.[8]
Demographics
In the 2005 census, the state had a population of about 14,007,495 people. (The population in 1900 was 934,468-largely Native American.) The majority of the present-day population in the state is located within the Greater Mexico City metropolitan area surrounding the Distrito Federal. The state's population is rapidly increasing due to urbanization. The Mexico State is the most populated state in The Mexican Republic.[9]
The migration is one of the most important problems in the society. The State of Mexico has a very high level of migration to The United States it´s about 75.7% of the total population that migrates. The three places with a higher population density in Mexico are: Mexico City (5799 hab/km^2), State of Mexico (586 hab/km^2) and Morelos (318 hab/km^2).[9]
The most important indigenous groups in State of Mexico are Mazahuas, Otomis and Nahuats. Approximately 1.6% of the entire population is constituted by these cultural groups. But there are more cultures that can be found in the state. There is a 2.2% of native population distributed among the entire state.[9]
According to the data from the 2005 census, the rate of growth in State of Mexico is 1.2%. In contrast with past decades, this means that the population growth in the state has decreased considerably, although the state is one of the most populated entities. This is a consequence of the states that are near by the region, as a lot of people migrate to Mexico City because of work and end of living in Mexico.[9]
Economy
Outside of the urban areas, the principal industries of the state are agricultural, and principal products are cereals, sugar, maguey (from which pulque is made), coffee and fruit. Stock-raising has also had a profitable development, owing to the proximity of the national capital. The manufacturing industries are important; among the manufactures (1900) are cotton and woollen fabrics, flour, dairy products, glass-ware, pottery, bricks, wines and spirits. To contrast, in 1900, the making of pulque from the sap of the maguey plant (Agave americana) was the chief industry of the state, and the product is exported in large quantities to the national capital.
In 1900, the state was traversed by the Central, National, Mexican International and Interoceanic railways, and by short lines from the national capital to neighbouring towns.
Today, the auto industry is a major industry in the state.
The Principal Productive Activities are manufacturing, construction, commercial activities, restaurants and hotels, financial and non-financial services. The State of Mexico is a leader in metal products, food, clothes, and chemical products industry. There are eleven industrial parks and its Gross Internal Product is 49,463,122.23 USD. (2001)[10]
Some of the most principal companies in the State of Mexico are Alpura, Bacardi y CIA., Bic, Bimbo, BMW, Central de Abastos, Comercial Mexicana, Daimler Chrysler, Holiday Inn, Jugos Del Valle, Nestlé, Nextel, Panasonic, Robert Bosch, Telemark and Yakult.[10]
Crisp26 21:34, 18 October 2007 (UTC)
Tourism
The State of Mexico is divided into eight regions: Toluca, Zumpango, Texcoco, Tejupilco, Atlacomulco, Coatepec Harinas, Valle de Bravo and Jilotepec.[11]
The State of Mexico offers an enormous set of tourist attractions. Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy the most variable landscapes, warm climate; fertile and green valleys; lakes, forest and Great Mountains. The most outstanding tourist sites are the colorful Valle de Bravo and Ixtapan de la Sal.
Other tourist attractions are the pre-Hispanic monuments of Teotihuacan, a civic and religious center. Malinalco with its archeological zone carved over the mountain rocks and the archeological zone of Teotenango “El lugar de la muralla sagrada” (The place of the sacred wall).[11]
Valle de Bravo
This beautiful place originally named Temascaltepec and San Francisco del Valle de Temascaltepec later, nowadays is known as a great place where life flows peacefully. The peculiar urban physiognomy of this place is given by typical houses of white walls with “guardapolvos” of rust color, wide rooftops and portals and balconies. The sloping streets and cobblestone alleys, reach "Plaza Principal" or beautiful neighborhoods like "Santa Maria" and "El Santuario". Art production in Valle de Bravo is based on ceramic and fabric. Valle de Bravo since four decades has become one of the most important tourist places in Mexico. In Valle de Bravo, one can practice golf, equitation, tennis, sky-diving, skiing and fishing.[11]
Ixtapan de la Sal
Ixtapan de la Sal is located 66 km from Toluca and 120 km from Mexico City. Its original name means "over the salt" and it is 1,900 meters above sea level. Its principal attractions are thermal springs and water parks with indoor pools and other services like private pools and spa. The Church of El señor del Perdón (Lord of Forgiveness) complements the tourist attractions having kept its original facade from the 16th century. 16 km away are located the Grutas de la Estrella (Caves of the Star).[11]
Government and politics
The Constitution of the State of Mexico provides that the government of the State of Mexico, like the government of every other state in Mexico, consists of three powers: the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.
Executive power rests in the Governor of the State of Mexico, who is directly elected by the citizens, using a secret ballot, to a 6-year term with no possibility of reelection. Legislative power rests in the Congress of the State of México which is a unicameral legislature. Judicial power is invested in the Superior Court of Justice of the State of México.
Municipalities
The State of Mexico is divided into 125 municipalities, each headed by a municipal president (mayor). Most municipalities are named after the city that serves as municipal seat; e.g. the municipal seat of the Municipality of Nezahualcóyotl is the City of Nezahualcóyotl (aka Ciudad Neza). Typically, the city contains the majority of the population within the municipality.
Major communities
- Chimalhuacán
- Ciudad López Mateos (Atizapán de Zaragoza)
- Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl
- Cuautitlán Izcalli
- Ecatepec de Morelos
- Ixtapaluca
- Los Reyes Acaquilpan (Los Reyes La Paz)
- Naucalpan (Naucalpan de Juárez)
- San Francisco Coacalco
- Tlalnepantla (Tlalnepantla de Baz)
- Toluca (Toluca de Lerdo)
- Villa Nicolás Romero
- Xico
- Valle de Bravo
References
- ^ a b c Gobierno del Estado de Mexico (1994). Perfil socioeconomico del Estado de Mexico (in Spanish). Mexico: Gobierno del Estado de Mexico. ISBN 27279.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: length (help) - ^ Salgado, J. (1993). Estado de Mexico: Evolucion Socioeconomica (in Spanish). Mexico: UAEM. ISBN 058318.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: length (help) - ^ a b CONAPO (1999). Situacion demografica del Estado de Mexico (in Spanish). Mexico: Consejo Nacional de Poblacion. ISBN 26645.
{{cite book}}: Check|isbn=value: length (help) - ^ a b c Enciclopedia Universal de Mexico (2001). Enciclopedia Universal de Mexico (in Spanish). Mexico: EuroMexico.
- ^ Elizabeth Hill Boone, "Pictorial Documents and Visual Thinking in Postconquest Mexico". p. 158.
- ^ a b El Colegio Mexiquense, A.C. (1998). Historia General del Estado de México. México: Corporación Editorial Mac. ISBN 970-669-002-6.
- ^ Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática. (2001). Estado de México Guía Turistica. México. ISBN 9701335597.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática. (2001). Estado de México Guía Turistica. México. ISBN 970669000X.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d INEGI. "Estadísticas Sociodemográficas" (in Spanish).
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|accessmonthday=ignored (help); Unknown parameter|accessyear=ignored (|access-date=suggested) (help) - ^ a b Estructura Socioeconómica de México (2004). Mexico: Editorial Limusa. ISBN 9681854071.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ a b c d INEGI, Instituto Nacional de Etadistica Geografia e Informatica (2001). Estado de Mexico/Guia Turistica Estatal. Mexico: INEGI. ISBN 970-13-3559-7.
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