Zapotlanejo
Encyclopedia
Zapotlanejo is a town and municipality in the Mexican state of Jalisco
.
According to the 2005 census, there were 55,827 inhabitants in the municipality. The municipality has a territorial extension of 643.02 km2.
and half Spanish
. The Nahuatl word "tzapotlán" (place of abundant toad
s) is composed of two morphemes: "zapotl" (toad) and "tlan" (place). In addition, the name of the municipality includes the Spanish ending indicating locality "ejo."
s, alluding to the name of its pre-Hispanic inhabitants, the Tecuexes, who established themselves in the area about 1218.
Spanish settlement in the area began around 1523. The area's Spanish settlers were subject to continuous attacks by Chichimec forces during the early colonial period.
The municipality's famous Bridge of Calderón was constructed during the government of Francisco Calderón Romero (1670–1672). The bridge was the site of the Battle of the Bridge of Calderón in 1811, which was a key battle in the Mexican War of Independence
.
In 1860, republican troops led by General Ignacio Zaragoza
defeated Leonardo Márquez
near the town as he fled from Tepatitlán.
In 1824, Zapotlanejo was made capital of the Department of Tonalá
. In 1825, the town was made part of the first canton of Jalisco (Guadalajara
). In 1887, Zapotlanejo was part of the fourth department of the first canton of the state. The community was afforded status as a municipality by decree of April 8, 1844.
Jalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
.
According to the 2005 census, there were 55,827 inhabitants in the municipality. The municipality has a territorial extension of 643.02 km2.
Toponomy
Zapotlanejo is a hybrid word, half NahuatlNahuatl
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...
and half Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
. The Nahuatl word "tzapotlán" (place of abundant toad
Toad
A toad is any of a number of species of amphibians in the order Anura characterized by dry, leathery skin , short legs, and snoat-like parotoid glands...
s) is composed of two morphemes: "zapotl" (toad) and "tlan" (place). In addition, the name of the municipality includes the Spanish ending indicating locality "ejo."
History
The town of Zapotlán was previously known as Zapotlán de los TecuexeTecuexe
The Tecuexe were an indigenous group found in the eastern part of present day Guadalajara, Mexico-History:It is believed that the Tecuexe derived from the dispersion of Zacateco groups from La Quemada. Like the Zacatecos, the Tecuexe were a tribe belonging to the generic "Chichimeca" peoples...
s, alluding to the name of its pre-Hispanic inhabitants, the Tecuexes, who established themselves in the area about 1218.
Spanish settlement in the area began around 1523. The area's Spanish settlers were subject to continuous attacks by Chichimec forces during the early colonial period.
The municipality's famous Bridge of Calderón was constructed during the government of Francisco Calderón Romero (1670–1672). The bridge was the site of the Battle of the Bridge of Calderón in 1811, which was a key battle in the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
.
In 1860, republican troops led by General Ignacio Zaragoza
Ignacio Zaragoza
Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín was a general in the Mexican army, best known for defeating invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 ....
defeated Leonardo Márquez
Leonardo Marquez
Leonardo Márquez was a Mexican general. He fought against the United States in the Intervention of 1846-1848 and was a prominent supporter of Antonio López de Santa Anna in the revolutionary movement of 1849...
near the town as he fled from Tepatitlán.
In 1824, Zapotlanejo was made capital of the Department of Tonalá
Tonalá, Jalisco
Tonalá is a city and its surrounding municipality within the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area in the state of Jalisco in Mexico.The city had a 2005 census population of 374,258 and the municipality had a population of 408,729 and an area of 119.58 km² . The municipality lies adjacent to the east...
. In 1825, the town was made part of the first canton of Jalisco (Guadalajara
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,564,514 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality...
). In 1887, Zapotlanejo was part of the fourth department of the first canton of the state. The community was afforded status as a municipality by decree of April 8, 1844.