Irapuato

Amor esquina con Tolerancia

Irapuato is a Mexican city (and municipality) located at the foot of the Arandas Hill (in Spanish: Cerro de Arandas), in the central region of the state of Guanajuato. It lies between the Silao River and the Guanajuato River, a tributary of the Lerma River, at above sea level. It is located at . The city is the second-largest in the state (only behind León), with a population of 342,561 according to the 2005 census, while its municipality has a population of 529,440. The municipality has an area of and includes numerous smaller outlying communities. Although it is now an important center for regional trade and transportation center as well the site of several automotive and chemical manufacturing plants, the city's main industry has historically been agriculture and it has long been known for its strawberries and the raising of pigs and cattle. The fruits and flowers of Irapuato's luxurious gardens are well known throughout Mexico.

History

Prehispanic era

In the pre-Hispanic era, the site was inhabited by the Chichimecas (c. 1200 AD), a group of semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. Later on, the Purépechas conquered the region and initiated the establishment of a permanent settlement. They constructed buildings in the Purépecha architectural style, produced pottery, and practiced agriculture. They called the settlement Xiriquitzio (or Iriquitzio), which the Spanish conquerors pronounced "Jiricuato" (or Jiricuicho), which meant "the place with houses (or low dwellings)". The initial growth period, however, was short-lived. The downfall of the Purépecha Empire led to the abandonment of the settlement, at which point it was once again inhabited by the Chichimecas.

Conquest

In the 16th century, vasts amounts of silver ore were discovered at the present day site of the capital city of Guanajuato. This discovery led to a massive migration of Spanish settlers to the area.

Flood

On 18 August 1973, thousands of homes were destroyed and an estimated 200 or 300 people killed when a dam burst, sending a high wall of water crashing into the city. Many people were left stranded on roofs and high places for days before they were rescued.

Massacres

Mass shootings occurred at drug rehabilitation centers on 6 June and 1 July 2020.

Notable people

Don Fernando Barba Amezcua – Philanthropist dedicated to the preservation of indigenous traditions and cultures through the Pacha Moma Cultural Space
Amalia Macías – singer and actress who toured Europe
Enrique del Moral – architect.
Silvia Navarro – actress.
Natalia Guerrero – actress.
Carolina Miranda - actress.
Carlos Cordero – athlete for Mexico at the 2012 London Olympics.
Samuel Ruiz – Catholic prelate.
Mario Castañeda – Mexican voice actor.
Chucho Navarro – founding member of the Trio Los Panchos.
Miguel Ángel Chico Herrera – president of PRI from 2005 to 2009.
Roberto Alvarado – professional soccer player who plays for Cruz Azul in the Liga MX, and the Mexico National Team.
Claudio González – professional soccer player who plays for Club Leon in the Liga MX.
Óscar Razo – professional soccer player who played for Club Atlas in the Liga MX.
Francisco Rotllán – professional soccer player who played for Mexico at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
Sergio Ávila – professional soccer player who played for Chivas de Guadalajara and the Mexico U-23 national team.
José Antonio Patlán – professional soccer player who played for Chivas de Guadalajara in 2006
Juan Zaragoza – soccer player