Aculco

Aculco was founded approximately in 1110 AD by the Otomies, despite the fact that its name comes from Nahuatl. After being a village inhabited by Otomies for long time, it became a region dominated by the Mexicas, who lived there many years before the founding of Tenochtitlan.[5]

With the arrival of the Spanish in 1540, construction on the church and the convent of San Jeronimo began. In November 1810, Miguel Hidalgo and his contingent, who began the Mexican War of Independence, arrived in the region. Aculco was also where insurgents, led by Don Miguel Hidalgo, lost a battle against the troops of Felix Ma. Calleja.[5]

During the nineteenth century, the town hall and the first primary school in the region were constructed. Public baths and a municipal pool were also built.

On February 19, 1825, it became a municipality. In 1914 and 1915, Aculco was the scene of clashes led by the revolutionaries’ carrancistas, villistas and Zapatistas.[5]

Concepción waterfall.

The municipality of Aculco has a geographical extent of 484.7 square kilometres (187.1 sq mi). That represents 2.18% of Mexico State, of which it is a part of.[5] Aculco borders Polotitlán in the north, Querétaro in the south, and Acambay and Timilpan in the south.[6] It is approximately 100 kilometers away from or over 1 hour from Toluca, Toluca.

Flora and fauna

Black phoebe, a native bird.

There is a diversity in plants and animals of temperate climate and semi-arid climate (Mezquital Valley).

Native animals include: cacomistle, skunk, gopher, Virginia opossum, rabbit, Mexican gray squirrel, turkey, colibri, turkey vulture, northern mockingbird, rattlesnake, pine snake, black phoebe, rufous-crowned sparrow, great horned owl, axolotl, frog, toad, red ant, bee, and others.

The main economic activity of Aculco is the ranching of animals like pigs and sheep. The municipality's principal products include milk, fur, wool and egg. Aculco's inner commerce principally occurs at the municipal market, while its outer commerce is with Toluca, Mexico City and Querétaro.

Another major economic activity of Aculco is the exploitation of natural resources like sand, with quarries present in the region.[9] The municipality is also home to a metal structure manufacturing company.[5]

Aculco is famous for the dairy products it produces. In 2019, Aculco has about 60 artisan workshops for cheese and dairy production.[10]

According to INEGI, in 2005, Aculco has a population of over 40,000. The ethnic composition is mainly Otomi.[5]

Over 16,000 people in the region are illiterate.[11]

The foundation of the Aculco municipality is celebrated on February 19.[13] In March and April, the municipality holds a scenic performance of Semana Mayor that starts on Holy Thursday, in honor of Señor Nenthé.[13] There is a festival to the Saint Patron Saint Jerome on September 30, including regional fairs, dances, and food.[13]

• Fernando Altamirano (baptized 1848 in Aculco),[14] physician, botanist and naturalist
• Mauro Máximo de Jesús (born 1957 in Aculco),[15] - athlete
• Ignacio Espinoza Martínez[5]
• Lucas Magos Bárcenas y Cornejo
• Alfonso Díaz de la Vega
• Pablo de San Antonio Indio
• Juan García, Juan Nicolás
• Sotero González Mena
• Juan Maldonado Chemiso
• José Rafael Polo
• José Trinidad Polo
• Manuel Polo

• Camino Real de Tierra Adentro