Metepec

Metepec ( español: [ meteˈpek ])^Metepec es unmunicipiodelEstado de México,México, ubicado directamente al este de la capital estatal,Toluca, a una altitud de2635 metros (8645pies)sobre el nivel del mar. El centro de la Ciudad de Méxicose encuentra a unos 50km más al este. La ciudad de Metepec también forma parte delGran Toluca. El nombre Metepec proviene delnáhuatly significa«colina de lasplantas de agave ». Sin embargo, también se la conoce enlengua matlatzincacomo «Nepinta-Tuhi», que significa «gente de la tierra del maíz», y enlengua otomícomo «Ntaguada». ^{[ 1 ]}  

El centro de la ciudad se ubica al pie de la colina que da nombre a la ciudad y al municipio. Ha habido una comunidad aquí desde que los otomíes y matlatzincas se asentaron en esta parte del Valle de Toluca: los matlatzincas alcanzaron su apogeo cultural entre los años 1120 y 1450 d. C. como parte de la cultura teotihuacana . Los aztecas conquistaron esta comunidad, junto con el resto del área, hacia el año 1470 d. C. por el tlatoani (cacique) llamado Axáyacatl . Los españoles llegaron aquí en el año 1526 d. C., construyendo una iglesia en el "cerro de maguey", ahora llamado Ex-convento de San Juan . Los españoles renombraron el área como San Juan Bautista Metepec . Según el Códice de Metepec , la ciudad española fue fundada ese mismo año. ^{[ 2 ]}

El Ex-convento de San Juan es la principal estructura religiosa de la localidad y data del siglo XVI; sin embargo, otras iglesias que vale la pena visitar incluyen Las Capillas de El Calvario, La Santa Cruz, del Espíritu Santo, San Bartolomé, de San Salvador, de Santa María Magdalena y la Parroquia de San Mateo. El 24 de junio es la fiesta del santo patrón de Metepec, Juan Bautista . Además, desde 1990 la ciudad cuenta con un festival internacional de arte y cultura llamado Quimera , que se realiza en octubre.

The Cerro de Maguey (Maguey Hill) has a number of small caves with names like "La cueva del diablo" (The Devil's Cave) that can be explored. While most of the food in Metepec is typical of the region (with dishes such as barbacoa, tamales, and huaraches) it does have a unique drink called "Garañona". It is made from 15 herbs and is a strong, sweet drink. The only place that sells and distributes this drink is a bar called the "2 de Abril", located in the city centre.^[3]

Economic activities

Metepec is known for its pottery items and it is still of economic importance. The artisans of this area have organized into the Asociación de Artesanos de Metepec y la Unión de Alfareros de Metepec, A.C. (Association of Artisans of Metepec and the Union of Potters of Metepec). Principal crafts include objects made from clay, glass and includes saddlemaking. The city has about 300 craftsmen as well as 275 family workshops. The craft Metepec is best known for is the Arbol de la vida ("Tree of Life") which is a traditional pottery representation of the tree from which Adam and Eve ate in the Biblical story. Monday is market day in the city centre, called plaza, where merchants go to sell fruit, vegetables and even a few electronic items. In recent years, the municipality has increased its economic importance with the construction of shopping malls, commercial plazas and automobile agencies etc.^[1]

According to INEGI 2005 census figures, the city had a population of 164,182, while the municipality had a population of 206,005 inhabitants. The municipality covers an area of 70.43 km² (27.19 sq mi) and includes several smaller communities besides Metepec. Most commercial activity occurs in the city of Metepec proper and has grown considerably in the past years, along with its population.^[1]

As municipal seat, the city of Metepec has governing jurisdiction over the following communities: Barrio Santiaguito, Colonia Álvaro Obregón, Colonia Llano Grande (El Salitre), Rancho el Carmen Progreso, San Bartolomé Tlaltelulco, San Gaspar Tlahuelilpan, San Lorenzo Coacalco (San Lorenzo), San Lucas Tunco (San Lucas), San Miguel Totocuitlapilco, San Sebastián, Santa María Magdalena Ocotitlán, and Tepoluli.

The municipality borders with the municipalities of San Mateo Atenco, Santiago Tianguistenco, Toluca, Chapultepec, Mexicaltzingo and Calimaya and has a territory of 70.43 square kilometers. Due to its altitude, average temperatures here vary between 14 and 30 °C with cold spells down to -5 °C that can occur as late as March or April.^[1]

Economic activities

Outside of the city of Metepec, the main economic activity is still agriculture, with 5,271.59 hectares devoted to crops. Fish farms comprise 208.18 hectares, with urban areas totaling only 1,193.16 hectares. Livestock raising includes cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats, rabbits and various fowl such as turkeys and chickens. Most is raised for autoconsumption and for nearby localities. However, industrial activities have grown in importance with enterprises dedicated to food-processing, bottling, tobacco, clothing, paper products, construction materials, as well as machinery and other equipment.^[1]

Private schools include:

• Instituto Universitario Verdad y Ciencia
• Instituto Cumbres
• Colegio Nuevo Continente - Campus Metepec
• Universidad del Valle de Mexico Campus Toluca
• Instituto Cenca S.C.
• Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México
• Instituto Tecnológico de Toluca
• Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (Campus Estado de México)
• Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (PrepaTec Metepec)
• Colegio Argos
• Colegio Aristos ^[4]
• Colegio Buena Tierra ^[5]
• Liceo del Valle de Toluca

The original village of Metepec regards the Tree of Life as representative of this municipality and some local workshops still produce this brightly painted pottery artifact. The album cover of the Beatles' 1967 record Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band features a Metepec Tree of Life.

Metepec is twinned with:

• Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico
• Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
• Trujillo, La Libertad, Peru

• Ayuntamiento de Metepec Official website (in Spanish)
• Quimera website(in Spanish)
• Trees of Life (folk art pottery)