Silao

Silao (official name: Silao de la Victoria) is a city in the west-central part of the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. It is the seat of the municipio with the same name. As of the 2005 census, the city had a population of 147,123, ^[1] making it the seventh-largest community in the state. Silao is a center of agricultural and industrial activity in the area, with a wide variety of farm crops, produce and dairy packing plants and a General Motors truck and SUV assembly plant which currently makes the following models: Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Cadillac Escalade ESV. ^[2]

This city is served by the Bajio Regional Airport. It functions as the central airport for the cities of Irapuato, Guanajuato, León, and Salamanca

Some of the more famous persons in Silao are Maria Villalpando, the brothers Chavez Morado, and Mauricio Ruiz.^{[citation needed]}

1 Toponymy
2 History
3 Geography
4 Population
- 4.1 Ethnic Groups
- 4.2 Religion
5 Historic Monuments
6 Tourist Attractions
7 References
8 External links

[edit] Toponymy

In its original náhuatl, it was called Tzinacua by the Otomi and Tarascan natives. Tzinacua loosely translates into 'place of dense fog', derived from the quantity of thermal waters surrounding the area. In the Otomi language its name is Tsinäkua that also means 'place of dense fog'.

[edit] History

In the place where Silao now sits, there was an Otomí settlement that was conquered by the Tarascan tribe. It then received the name Tzinacua, that in English means "place of dense fog", because in the area of Comanjilla, there were columns of water vapor rising from thermal springs. Later, the name was changed to 'Sinaua' which means 'without water'. Over time, the name gradually changed to 'Silagua' and then 'Silao'.

[edit] Geography

Image:Aeropuerto silao.jpg

Bajio Regional Airport in the municipality of Silao, Guanajuato

Silao is located in the Mexican state of Guanajuato. It is situated 100° 25´ 59´´ longitude west of the Greenwich meridian and 20° 56´ 24´´ latitude north. Its altitude is 1,780 meters above sea level.

The municipality of Silao has an area of 531.41 km², equivalent to 1.76% of the total state area. The city of Guanajuato lies to the east and north of Silao; to the south lies Irapuato; to the southeast is Romita; to the west is León.

[edit] Geology

The territory of Silao is almost planar formed in by the Bajío, between its few important elevations, one can find the 'Cerro del Cubilete' whose altitude is 2,570 meters above sea level and is considered the geographic center of the c

[edit] Hydrography

The Silao River, crosses the major part of the municipal territory. It is fed by the Magueyes, Pascuales, Hondo, and Tigre streams, as well as the Gigante River, which is its major tributary. Within the municipality are some streams of importance, like those of the Agua Zarca, San Francisco, El Paraíso, Pabileros, and Aguas Buenas.

[edit] Climate

The climate of the city is semi-arid in the majority of the territory, with rains in the summer and an average annual temperature of 28°C. Temperatures can rise as high as 34°C in the month of June, and a minimum of 0°C has been reached in the months of December and January. However, in the northeastern zone the climate varies to semi-dry with a temperature predominantly in excess of 28°C. Precipitation varies between 600 and 800 millimeters per year.

[edit] Population

Image:PALACIOMPAL.jpg

Interior del Palacio Municipal

According to the results presented by the second 'Conteo de Población y Vivienda' (census) of 2005, the municipality counts a total of 147,123 habitants.

[edit] Ethnic Groups

The indigenous population of Silao is limited to 203 habitants that represent 0.15% of the total municipal population. The principal native languages are Mazahua and Nahuatl.

According to the second 'Conteo de Población y Vivienda' (Census) of 2005, there are a total of 187 persosn who speak some indigenous language.

The municipality has a density of 250 persons per square kilometer and an average population increase of 1.6%.

[edit] Religion

95.8% of the population of Silao (as of 2000) are Roman Catholic. Approximately 1.8% are Protestants and Evangelicals, and 1.4% are other religions. The last 1% either stated they don't have a religion or it wasn't specified.

[edit] Historic Monuments

- Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol, construction was started in the end of the 17^th century and ended in the year 1728. Its style is neo-classical.

- Templo del Santuario, constructed at the end of the 17^th century.

- Templo de la Casa de Ejercicios, built in 1834.

- Palacio Municipal, formerly functioned as city jail and headquarters.

- Mercado González Obregón, main market in Silao.

- Monument to Cristo Rey (Christ the King), started construction on December 10, 1945 and completed on August 17, 1949. The monument itself stands 20 meters from foot to head and is in the 'cerro del Cubilete', which is considered the geographic center of the country of Mexico.

[edit] Tourist Attractions

Some of the attractions in Silao are:

- Here one can find the 'Cerro del Cubilete' that is considered the geographic center of the country of Mexico. In the highest part of the mountain (at 2,500 meters) stands a monument to 'Cristo Rey' or 'Christ the King'. It represents the unity of the people of México in the Catholic faith. Construction started on December 10, 1945 and was completed on August 17, 1949. The monument itself measures 20 meters from its feet to its head. Its location dominates the scenery of the 'Bajío' region surrounding Silao.

- Museum of the Chávez Morado Brothers (muralists and sculptors).

- Silao has 27 parochial churches and innumerble buildings rich in architecture and history.

- Building of the 'Casa de la Cultura' (House of Culture), previously the military quarters of Silao.

-Restaurant Villalpando

Silao is also central to other cities and towns of interest to tourists. The cities of Guanajuato and Romita are approximately 10 minues by highway. León and Irapuato are about 15 minutes by highway.