Otzoloapan
Encyclopedia
Otzoloapan is a town and municipality located at the southeast of the State of Mexico. The name is from the Náhuatl
'Oceloapan' which means "river of lynx
es". It is located in the southwest part of the state bordering the state of Michoacán
.
when Axayácatl
conquered Matlazinca lands. After the Spanish conquest, the land in the area was redistributed among the Spaniards, with Juana Gamboa getting Tejupilco and Otzoloapan. The he build a sugar mill here to process the cane growing in the surrounding area. The area was probably first evangelized by the Franciscans, and the parish of Otzoloapan was founded by Juan Marqués del Aguila, in 1560 by order of Hernán Cortés
. This is considered to be the beginning of the town.
The village had a population as of 2005 of 1, 586.
Otzoloapan contains 160.48 km2 that represent the 71% of state territory. It is composed of 42 towns and is at an altitude of 1314 meters above sea levelThe total municipality has and in 2005 had a population of 4,748. It borders the municipalities of Santo Tomás de los Plátanos
, Zacazonapan
, Tejupilco, Temascaltepec, and Valle de Bravo
and with state of Michoacán
. The municipality was founded in 1894.
In the higher elevations pine trees, holm oak
s and oak trees can be found. In the warmer, lower elevations, there are pines, holm oaks, tepehuaje, huizache, truenos, and ash tree
s, among others. Communities in the higher elevations depend on the forests economically.
Agriculture is the most important economic activity in the municipality, mostly growing seasonal crops like corn, with some production of vegetables and fruit. The municipality lacks an industrial base. While the area does have mountains and forests, these have not yet been exploited touristically.
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
'Oceloapan' which means "river of lynx
Lynx
A lynx is any of the four Lynx genus species of medium-sized wildcats. The name "lynx" originated in Middle English via Latin from Greek word "λύγξ", derived from the Indo-European root "*leuk-", meaning "light, brightness", in reference to the luminescence of its reflective eyes...
es". It is located in the southwest part of the state bordering the state of Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
.
The town
The area was first settled by the Matlazincas in the pre-Hispanic era. In 1476, it became subject to the Aztec Triple AllianceAztec Triple Alliance
The Aztec Triple Alliance, or Aztec Empire began as an alliance of three Nahua city-states or "altepeme": Tenochtitlan, Texcoco, and Tlacopan...
when Axayácatl
Axayacatl
Axayacatl was the sixth Aztec Emperor, a ruler of the Postclassic Mesoamerican Aztec Empire and city of Tenochtitlan, who reigned from 1469 to 1481.He is chiefly remembered for subjugating Tlatelolco, Tenochtitlan's sister city, in 1473....
conquered Matlazinca lands. After the Spanish conquest, the land in the area was redistributed among the Spaniards, with Juana Gamboa getting Tejupilco and Otzoloapan. The he build a sugar mill here to process the cane growing in the surrounding area. The area was probably first evangelized by the Franciscans, and the parish of Otzoloapan was founded by Juan Marqués del Aguila, in 1560 by order of Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century...
. This is considered to be the beginning of the town.
The village had a population as of 2005 of 1, 586.
- There is a chapel called "Zuluapan" that is located in the plaza principal. It is the community gathering center and most important site of the village. From the 7th to the 11th of November, the village honors its patron saint, San Martin Obispo.
- An underground jail cell used to imprison rebellious indigenous people can still be seen here.
The municipality
As municipal seat, Otzoloapan has governing jurisdiction over the following communities: Agua Zarca de Abajo, Agua Zarca (Agua Zarca de Arriba), El Calvario (San José el Calvario), Carranza, La Carrera, Cruz Blanca, Estancia Chica, El Grajenal, Llano Grande (El Órgano), Pinal del Marquesado, Puerto del Tigre, San Miguel Piru (El Piru), Terreros, El Zapote (La Parota), Zuluapan, La Punta Tingambato (Tingambato del Sur), San Miguel de la Campana (San Miguel), Burrusqueta, El Pedregal, El Limón 1, La Lumbrera, Las Paredes, El Quinto, El Marquesado de Llano Grande, Mesa del Zapote, La Presa (La Compuerta), La Palma, La Presa del Padre, Rancho Viejo (Manzana del Calvario), El Rodeo, Barrio de Guadalupe (Los Lotes), El Limón 2, La Mora, and El Rincón de Mesa.Otzoloapan contains 160.48 km2 that represent the 71% of state territory. It is composed of 42 towns and is at an altitude of 1314 meters above sea levelThe total municipality has and in 2005 had a population of 4,748. It borders the municipalities of Santo Tomás de los Plátanos
Santo Tomás de los Plátanos
Santo Tomás de los Platanos is a town and governmental seat of the municipality of Santo Tomás, located in the center-west of Mexico State, in Mexico...
, Zacazonapan
Zacazonapan
Zacazonapan is a village and municipality near Mexico City. The name comes from Náhuatl and roughly translates to "in water of the meadows"-The village:...
, Tejupilco, Temascaltepec, and Valle de Bravo
Valle de Bravo
Valle de Bravo is a town and municipality located in Mexico State, Mexico. It is located on the shore of Lake Avándaro, approximately 156 km southwest of Mexico City and west of Toluca on highways 15, 134 or 1...
and with state of Michoacán
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
. The municipality was founded in 1894.
In the higher elevations pine trees, holm oak
Holm Oak
Quercus ilex, the Holm Oak or Holly Oak is a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. It takes its name from holm, an ancient name for holly...
s and oak trees can be found. In the warmer, lower elevations, there are pines, holm oaks, tepehuaje, huizache, truenos, and ash tree
Ash tree
Fraxinus is a genus flowering plants in the olive and lilac family, Oleaceae. It contains 45-65 species of usually medium to large trees, mostly deciduous though a few subtropical species are evergreen. The tree's common English name, ash, goes back to the Old English æsc, while the generic name...
s, among others. Communities in the higher elevations depend on the forests economically.
Agriculture is the most important economic activity in the municipality, mostly growing seasonal crops like corn, with some production of vegetables and fruit. The municipality lacks an industrial base. While the area does have mountains and forests, these have not yet been exploited touristically.