Zapopan
Between 1160 and 1325, groups including Zapotec, Nahua, and Maya peoples migrated into the Zapopan area from the south. They settled around the Profundo Arroyo, a waterway that would shape early life in the region. These migrants intermingled with later arrivals such as the Aztecs. The Tecuexes were the dominant local group, and these individuals are known as "Tecos". The area contained small shrines, called cues, mainly built to worship the sun. Teoplitzintli, associated with maize, was a principal deity. Inhabitants subsisted on maize, beans, fruits, hunting, and fishing. Some historians dispute the existence of a pre-Hispanic settlement at the site of present-day Zapopan, as it is not mentioned in any contemporary documents. This absence contrasts sharply with nearby settlements like Ixcatán, Tesistán, and Tónala, which appear clearly in historical records.
In 1530, the area was conquered by Nuño de Guzmán, however the Spanish did not settle in Zapopan until 1541 due to the Mixtón War. That year, Francisco de Bobadilla, encomendero of Tlatltenango, relocated approximately 130 Indigenous people from his lands to repopulate Zapopan. Accompanying them was a statue of the Virgin Mary. The statue had previously traveled to areas such Zacatecas as part of evangelization efforts. It would eventually take on the name of "Our Lady of Zapopan," and a sanctuary for the statue began construction in 1689. Friar Antonio de Segovia placed an image of the Virgin Mary in the settlement on the 8th of December 1541, which became the patroness of Zapopan. This image reportedly played a central role in stabilizing the settlement. Construction of the present basilica began in 1690 under Juan de Santiago de León Garabito. The foundation of Zapopan is closely linked with the image of the Virgin Mary. During the Spanish conquest, colonial authorities often replaced indigenous religious icons with images of the Virgin.
On the 27th of March 1824, under the Political Division Plan of the State of Jalisco, Zapopan was designated a state department, with the town of Zapopan serving as its administrative center and formally recognized as a villa. On November 18 of the same year, once the Political Constitution of the Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco was promulgated, Zapopan was ratified as a department and attached to the first Canton of the State, with the head office in Guadalajara. A state territorial reform on the 6th of April 1837 incorporated Zapopan into the Guadalajara District. In 1846, a subsequent reorganization reinstated Zapopan as a department within the First Canton of Jalisco, with Guadalajara as its head. This administrative structure remained largely unchanged until 1914, when municipalities became the primary territorial units of Mexico. The 1917 Political Constitution of Jalisco established Zapopan as a free municipality. The status of Zapopan as a municipal seat remained until the 7th of December 1994, when state decree 14358 elevated it from a villa to a ciudad (city). In 1873, General Ramón Corona fought against rebel forces led by Manuel Lozada "El Tigre de Álica" at Rancho de la Mojonera.
The population of Zapopan has grown exponentially since 1950. In 1950 the total population of the municipality of Zapopan amounted to 27,115 inhabitants. In ten years the population of the municipality increased 100% and by the year 1960 reached 54,562 inhabitants. Between 1960 and 1970, the population grew 300% and reached 163,185 inhabitants by 1970. The population increase during the 1970s was 238.5%, which amounted to 389,081 inhabitants in 1980. In 1990, Zapopan had 712,008 inhabitants, and by 2000, the population exceeded one million. Almost 90% of the municipality's population lives in the city proper. Zapopan is the most populous municipality in the state of Jalisco and ranks seventh in Mexico. As municipal seat, the city of Zapopan is the local government for approximately 750 other communities, called localities, which together form a territory of significant size.
Construction of the Basilica of Zapopan began in 1689 and finished in 1892. It has been modified and expanded since then. In front of the structure is a large atrium. The atrium contains bronze statues of Antonio de Segovia, who donated the image of the Virgin in the 16th century and one of Pope John Paul II, with a child dressed as a charro, who represents Jalisco. The facade is Plateresque and the entrances have Ionic columns and coats of arms. The main altar is made of marble from Carrara and Cyprus with the image of the Virgin of Zapopan in a glass case at the top. Another important sculpture is that of the Holy Family, which has been in the church since 1832. It was sculpted by Victoriano Acuña. On Paseo Teopiltzintli, which was the main thoroughfare into the city, is the Arco de Ingreso a Zapopan (Entrance Arch), built by the Spanish founders of the city. It is made of quarried stone and is high. The arch area is decorated with sculptures and the arch itself is topped with large jars and an eagle.
Approximately 75% of the municipality's land is involved in agriculture and livestock, 15% is forested, and the rest are part of the urban area. Principal crops include maize, sorghum, pumpkin, tomato, snap beans, avocado, mango, and plum. cattle, pigs and poultry are also raised. Agriculture employs less than 3% of the population, while around one-third of the population is employed in industry and manufacturing. Major facilities include: Sabritas, Intel, Grupo Bimbo, Flextronics, Motorola, Jaguar Cars and Coca-Cola. Zapopan features shopping malls, private hospitals and highly valued residential areas. As such, Zapopan is considered one of the wealthiest municipalities in Mexico. The municipality has three main archaeological sites. Ixtépete contains a Teotihuacan style pyramid which is long, wide and high. Construction phases of this pyramid date back from the fifth century to the tenth century. El Grillo is located in the Tabachines housing subdivision in the north of the Valley of Atemajac. This site has a series of fourteen tombs arranged along an arroyo which is now dry. La Coronilla is located in an area called La Experiencia.
Common questions
When was Zapopan founded and who established it?
Zapopan was officially settled by the Spanish in 1541 when Friar Antonio de Segovia placed an image of the Virgin Mary in the settlement on the 8th of December 1541. The area had been conquered earlier by Nuño de Guzmán in 1530, but permanent Spanish settlement did not occur until 1541 due to the Mixtón War.
What is the population history of Zapopan from 1950 to 2000?
The total population of the municipality of Zapopan amounted to 27,115 inhabitants in 1950 and exceeded one million by the year 2000. Between 1960 and 1970, the population grew 300% and reached 163,185 inhabitants before rising to 712,008 inhabitants in 1990.
Who are the Tecos and what were their religious practices in Zapopan?
The Tecuexes were the dominant local group known as Tecos who inhabited the area before the Spanish conquest. They built small shrines called cues mainly to worship the sun and revered Teoplitzintli as a principal deity associated with maize.
When was Zapopan elevated from a villa to a city?
State decree 14358 elevated Zapopan from a villa to a ciudad on the 7th of December 1994. This status change followed its establishment as a free municipality under the 1917 Political Constitution of Jalisco.
What are the main archaeological sites found within Zapopan?
Zapopan features three main archaeological sites including Ixtépete which contains a Teotihuacan style pyramid dating from the fifth century to the tenth century. El Grillo is located in the Tabachines housing subdivision and La Coronilla is situated in an area called La Experiencia.