Toluca
In 1473, the Aztec emperor Axayacatl renamed the settlement Tollocan after destroying its rival city Calixtlahuaca. The name derives from the god Tolo and the locative suffix can, meaning place of Tolo. Before this renaming, the Matlatzincas called the land Nepintahihui, which translates to land of corn. Archaeologists have not yet located a major Postclassic settlement within the modern city limits. A small site was discovered on the hill called Tolochi in the north, but remains there seem too insubstantial to be a provincial capital. The tree known as Las Manitas Rojas, or little red hands, was planted before the Spanish Conquest inside what is now the monastery of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. This botanical garden proves that Toluca held enough importance for the Aztecs to cultivate plants there. In 1861, the city adopted the official name Toluca de Lerdo to honor President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada.
Gonzalo de Sandoval led Spanish troops into the Valley of Toluca in 1521 during the conquest. Pedro Cortés Coyotzin became the first governor of the newly conquered territory. Fray Andrés Castro arrived in 1524 to begin evangelization efforts and learned the native Matlatzincan language. He protected indigenous people from colonial injustices and earned their love through his work. A plaza bearing his name includes a sculpture depicting him today. A Spanish community formed in 1530, though Toluca did not become an official town until 1677. King Carlos IV named it a city on the 12th of September 1799. During the War of Independence, Miguel Hidalgo stayed in Toluca for several days in 1810 while traveling toward the Battle of Monte de las Cruces. Royalist forces executed over one hundred prisoners in the main square after the Battle of Tenango Hill. The Plaza of the Martyrs now marks where these executions took place. A monument to Father Miguel Hidalgo stands in the center of that square, created by Rivalta in Florence in 1899.
Chrysler began manufacturing automobiles at its Toluca Car Assembly plant in 1968. That complex employs 2300 people today. Mercedes-Benz produces C-Class, E-Class, G-Class vehicles there and upgrades GL-Class, S-Class, and CLS-Class models into armored vehicles. BMW manufactures its 3, 5, 7, and X5 series along with armored variants within the same industrial zone. Five major industrial parks surround the city including Parque Industrial Exportec I and Parque Industrial El Coecillo. The industrial base employs over 33% of the municipality's population and 6% of the entire state's population. Licenciado Adolfo López Mateos International Airport received an investment of almost 3,200 million U.S. dollars in the last two years. This airport has created 4,500 jobs and serves as an overflow facility for Mexico City. The El Insurgente interurban train will connect Toluca with Mexico City at speeds up to 160 kilometers per hour. Its first section opened on the 15th of September 2023, spanning from Zincatepec to Lerna. A public bike share system launched in 2015 with 27 stations and 350 bicycles.
Toluca sits at 2600 meters above sea level making it the highest capital city in North America. Average temperatures range between 6 and 25 degrees Celsius during spring and summer months. Winter nights can drop below minus 5 degrees Celsius. Freezing temperatures are common throughout the winter season. Nevado de Toluca volcano lies southwest of the city and contains two lagoons accessible by automobile. It is the only volcano in Mexico where visitors can drive directly into the crater. The area was converted into a national park in January 1936 covering about 80 square kilometers. Forest land includes pines and obeto trees while animals like camp rats, teporingos, squirrels, tlacuaches, lizards, snakes, and eagles inhabit the region. Air pollution from industrial emissions creates health risks for outdoor exercise despite the high altitude favoring sports training. Global warming raises fears that the snow cap will disappear completely within decades. Almost nine-tenths of annual rainfall occurs between June and September creating extended dry periods especially in winter.
Los Portales consist of three sets of arches extending on three sides of a city block behind the main cathedral. The eastern side has 37 arches called 20 de Noviembre or Constitución while the southern side holds 44 arches named Madero. The western side features 35 arches known as Reforma. José María González Arratia completed the eastern and southern arches in 1836. Cosmovitral opened in 1980 and was fully completed in 1990. This botanical garden contains more than 400 species of plants from around the world. Its stained glass ceiling measures 1,500 square meters with over 30 thousand pieces and half a million glass fragments in 28 different colors. Artists sourced materials from Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Japan, Canada, and the United States. The Museo de Bellas Artes founded in 1945 by ex-governor Isidro Fabela displays art by José Juarez and Cristóbal de Villalpando. A catafalque dating from the mid-18th century is one of its most valuable pieces since such artifacts were almost always burned by Church authorities.
Deportivo Toluca Fútbol Club was founded on the 12th of February 1917 making it the largest sports institution in the city. Their stadium Estadio Nemesio Diez officially opened on the 8th of August 1935 with capacity for 30,000 spectators. The men's club has participated in Liga MX since 1954 while the women's team joined Liga MX Femenil in 2017. Famous boxers including Julio César Chávez and Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Vazquez use Toluca as a training center. Professional wrestler Tito Santana is billed from Toluca though he actually originates from Mission Texas. The Alfeñique Fair celebrates the annual Day of the Dead festival with traditional sugar skull decorations. The Toluca International Film Festival draws cinema enthusiasts each year. Silent processions take place every Holy Friday when Catholic congregations gather in the city center to honor Jesus Christ's sacrifice. The State Orchestra and Municipal Orchestra perform regularly alongside youth marching bands like Eagles of Anahuac formed about 35 years ago.
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Common questions
When was Toluca founded and what was its original name?
The settlement known as Toluca was renamed Tollocan by the Aztec emperor Axayacatl in 1473 after destroying Calixtlahuaca. Before this renaming, the Matlatzincas called the land Nepintahihui which translates to land of corn.
Who named Toluca de Lerdo and when did it become a city?
King Carlos IV named Toluca a city on the 12th of September 1799. The city adopted the official name Toluca de Lerdo in 1861 to honor President Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada.
What is the highest capital city in North America and how high is it?
Toluca sits at 2600 meters above sea level making it the highest capital city in North America. Average temperatures range between 6 and 25 degrees Celsius during spring and summer months while winter nights can drop below minus 5 degrees Celsius.
Which car manufacturers operate plants in Toluca today?
Chrysler began manufacturing automobiles at its Toluca Car Assembly plant in 1968 and that complex employs 2300 people today. Mercedes-Benz produces C-Class E-Class G-Class vehicles there and BMW manufactures its 3 5 7 and X5 series along with armored variants within the same industrial zone.
When was Nevado de Toluca converted into a national park and what does it contain?
The area was converted into a national park in January 1936 covering about 80 square kilometers. Nevado de Toluca volcano lies southwest of the city and contains two lagoons accessible by automobile.