Cuautla (Nahuatl pronunciation: [ˈkʷaʍt͡ɬa], meaning "where the eagles roam"), officially La heroica e histórica Cuautla, Morelos (The Heroic and Historic Cuautla, Morelos) or H. H. Cuautla, Morelos, is a city and municipality in the Mexican stateofMorelos, about 104 kilometers south of Mexico City. In the 2010 census the city population was 154,358.[3] The municipality covers 153.651 km2 (59.325 sq mi). Cuautla is the third most populous city in the state, after Cuernavaca and Jiutepec. The city was founded on April 4, 1829.[4] The 2020 population figures were 187,118 inhabitants for the municipality and 157,336 inhabitants for the city of Cuatula.[2]
Cuautla
Heroic and Historic Cuautla
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Municipal and rural
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Cuautla from the Morelos Museum
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  Cuautla Show map of Morelos  Cuautla Show map of Mexico | |
| Coordinates: 18°48′44″N 98°57′21″W / 18.81222°N 98.95583°W / 18.81222; -98.95583 | |
| Country |  Mexico |
| State | Morelos |
| Cuautla de las Ampilas | 1585 |
| Cuautla | April 4, 1829 |
| Government | |
| • President | Jesús Corona Damián (Juntos Haremos Historia) |
| Area | |
| • Municipal and rural | 153.651 km2 (59.325 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 1,037.30 km2 (12 sq mi) |
| Population
(2020)[2]
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| • Municipal and rural | 157,336 (city) 187,118 (municipality) |
| • Metro | 434,187[1] |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central) |
| Area code | 735 |
| Website | http://www.cuautla.gob.mx |
The Cuautla Metropolitan Area, the second largest in Morelos, comprises the municipalities of Cuautla, Yautepec, Ayala, Yecapixtla, Atlatlahucan, and Tlayacapan. It covers 1,037.30 km2 (400.50 sq mi), which represents 21.26% of the state's total area. The metropolitan population (2010) is 434,187.[5]
The Olmec group who lived in Chalcatzingo (southeast of Cuautla) founded settlements in Cuautla, Tepalcingo, Jonacatepec (Las Pilas), Olintepec, Atlihuayan, Huaxtepec, Gualupita de Cuernavaca, Tlayacapan, etc. (Piña Chan y Plancarte).
Five years after the conquest of Cuahunahuác (Cuernavaca) in (1379 CE),[6] Moctezuma Ilhuicamina conquered Huaxtepec (Oaxtepec), Yautepec, Tlayacapan and other towns of Morelos and Guerrero. With Huaxtepec, which was the prehispanic and colonial capital of the peoples of the Plan de Amilpas, its 25-human settlements including Cuauhtlán, had to pay a tribute of 400 cotton blankets, 400 two-color valances, 400 bedspreads, 800 thin cotton blankets, 400 pairs of shorts (patees), 200 women's shirts, and 1,200 veils (mantillas) every 80 days. In addition, they were required to contribute labor.
The Plan de Amilpas including Cuautla was conquered by Captain Gonzalo de Sandoval on March 14, 1521. In 1543 New Spain was organized into four provinces: Michoacán, México, Coatzacoalcos, and Las Mixtecas; the present territory of Morelos was part of the Mexico province.[6]
The church and monastery of San Diego were built between 1560 and 1580. The church is relatively small and austere, although there is a beautiful cupola on the south side. The façade of the church is made of pink granite with well-defined bases, columns, and cornices. The small, two-level belltower is square and simple. The monetary is high and formal; it may have been built after the church. The church is unique in that it faces the east, there is no real atrium, and there are neither capillas posas nor an open chapel.[7] Construction of the church of Santo Domingo also began in the middle of the 16th century, but there is little information on it.[7]
After the conquest, Indigenous lands were confiscated, mostly for sugar cane plantations and mills (trapiches). Despite Indigenous protests, Viceroy Gaspar de Zúñiga ruled in favor of the colonists on July 5, 1603. In 1646 the province of México became the Real Audiencia; Cuautla became an alcaldia (mayoralty) belonging to the Intendencia of Puebla.[6]
After a number of successful battles, General José María Morelos arrived in Cuautla in December 1811. On February 19, 1812, Spanish General Félix María Calleja began the 72-day Siege of Cuautla. Morelos was accompanied by Leonardo Bravo, Mariano Matamoros, Hermenegildo Galeana, Nicolás Bravo, and Manuel de Ordiera. 12-year-old Narciso Mendoza, known as the Niño Artillero (Child Gunner) is remembered for stopping an advance of royalist troops by setting off a cannon.[8] Morelos and his army were able to break out on May 2, 1812.
Cuautla was designated a Heroic City (Heroica Ciudad de Morelos) on April 4, 1829, while Felipe B. Montero was Presidente Municipal (mayor).[4]
An 1865 photograph shows the construction of the second floor of the Palacio Municipal (city hall) in 1865. The building was burned during the Revolution.[9]
The railroad station was opened on June 18, 1881, next to the Convento de San Diego.[9] Tourist trains continue to operate along the line.[10]
As a young man, Emiliano Zapata was concerned about land seizures in Anenecuilco, his hometown. In May 1911 he answered Francisco I. Madero's call to arms against President Porfirio Díaz. After minor battles in Chietla, Izúcar, Metepec Atlixco, Yautepec, and Jonacatepec, he arrived at Cuautla on May 11, 1911. With 4,000 or 5,000 troops he surrounded the city, and the week-long Battle of Cuautla (1911) began. The battle was a major turning point in the Mexican Revolution, as Porfirio Díaz said the battle convinced him to sign the Treaty of Ciudad Juárez and resign.[11]
Nearly seven years later, in April 1919, Colonel Jesus Guajardo assassinated Zapata, apparently under orders of President Venustiano CarranzainHacienda Chinameca, Ayala. His body was placed on a mule and left on the street before he was brought to Cuautla for burial.[11]
The city hall was burned during the Battle of Cuautla in 1911; the bell Nuestra Señora de Dolores was transferred from the Church of Guadalupita on February 19, 2017 when the city hall was restored.[4]
Six people, including an 11-year-old child, were killed in the September 17, 2017 Puebla earthquake.[12]
Jesus Corona Damian of Juntos Haremos Historia (Together we will make history coalition) was elected Presidente Municipal (mayor) in the election of July 1, 2018.[13]
Tetelcingo was scheduled to become an autonomous municipality on January 1, 2019,[14] but Cuautla authorities objected.[15][16]
As of May 4, 2020, there were 505 infections and 59 deaths in the state of Morelos and 62 confirmed infections from the COVID-19 pandemic in Cuautla.[17] Schools and many businesses were closed from mid March until June 1.[18] On June 2, Cuautla reported 224 confirmed cases and 34 deaths from the virus; the reopening of the state was pushed back until at least June 13.[19] Cuautla reported an increase of 137 new cases from January 12 to 14, 2021, making 1,602 cases in all, second highest in the state.[20] On March 8 Cuautla became the third municipality in Morelos to vaccinate senior citizens (60+).[21]
Irving Eduardo Solano Vera ("El Profe"), said to be the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), was arrested in Colonia Santa Rosa on February 18, 2021.[22]
Rich stews with green or red guacamole, the green mole of pipián with tamales, and cecina. Also huitlacoche, molotes, a squash flower soup (sopa de flor de calabaza), or a mushroom cream soup, or sopa Azteca. Also available is Pollo Morelense, chicken with peanut sauce, flower pancakes, and broken beans (frijoles quebrados).[9]
Motivos sobre el agua, (Motifs on water) is a fresco painted by Olga Costa and José Chávez Morado, hidden inside the Agua Hedionda Spa. There is a group of plump mermaids playing musical instruments at the bottom of the sea. One carries the zither, another the cello, and one a type of shell or tambourine. They are surrounded by fish, shells, corals, and starfish. It was made in 1952.[9]
Las Tetelcingas is a traditional dance dance from the indigenous town of Tetelcingo.[9]
Typical dress: the authentic suit is that of Tetelcinga, which consists of a huipil (tunic) and a tangle of thick dark blue cloth, tied at the waist with wide folds by means of a blue and red sash, a blue skirt, sandals, with a headband made of flowers. The women's hair is worn long, either loose or braided.[29] Eliseo Aragón said that half a century ago some women used to color their hair blue, red, or green, in the Olmec style. It is also said that drinking cups were used on the head as an ornament.[citation needed] The men's costume consists of white cotton pants tied with a red sash, a long-sleeved cotton shirt, a straw sombrero (hat), a bandana, and sandals; however, there are photographs in which the natives of Tetelcingo wear a kind of jorongo (sleeveless poncho) and short leather pants.[citation needed]
Among the most important activities in Cuautla you will find:[30]
The Cuautla Industrial Park, located in Ayala, covers 130 hectares (320 acres) and is the second largest in Morelos. Most of the companies are related to the automotive industry. The largest employers are Saint-Gobainl, (glass), Sekurit (windshields), and Temic (industrial parts).[31][32]
Local buses or combis serve Cuautla and nearby municipalities. Taxis and ride sharing are available.
Cuautla has several bus terminals for long-distance travel:
There is no regularly scheduled train service. A tourist train, a remnant of the Interoceanic Railway of Mexico, runs occasionally.
Cuautla does not have an airport; flights are available at Cuernavaca Airport, Mexico City International Airport, and Puebla International Airport.
As of 2014–2015, there are 24 daycare centers with 508 children, 110 preschools with 533 teachers and 7,545 pupils, 101 elementary schools (grades 1–6) with 1,225 teachers and 22,754 pupils, and 42 middle schools (grades 7–9) with 641 teachers and 11,354 pupils[41]
The area is a tourist-friendly region with abundant hot springs and health spas/resorts. It features many archeological sites such as Chalcatzingo and Indigenous communities such as the Tepoztlán and Tetelcingo among others.
The vast majority of buildings in Cuautla are made of brick or cinder blocks, framed by reinforced concrete posts which in turn support reinforced concrete beams, reinforced concrete floors and roofs. Also, many homes in this city, are made with only cinder blocks, cement, and a tin roof. Many of these homes also lack electricity and running water. Nearly all homes have a "tinaco",[47] which is a large plastic water tank on the roof as well as a concrete cisterna below ground. Both are refilled regularly at the same time by the city. When necessary the water is pumped from the cisterna to the Tinaco. These 1,100-liter (290 U.S. gal; 240 imp gal)[48] water tanks let water out into pipes which have valves that are opened as needed to wash clothes and dishes or to bathe or flush the toilet. A single valve is located at the tinacoto be closed if necessary.
Cuautla is located in the eastern Morelos, with the geographic coordinates 18°49'N and 99°01'E and an altitude of 1,294 meters (4,245 feet) above sea level.[49] Cuautla borders the municipalities of Atlatlahucan, Ayala, Yautepec, and Yecapixtla.[41]
Cuautla covers roughly 153.651 km2 (59.325 square miles), which is about 3% of the overall size of Morelos.[53][better source needed][41]
The city is quite warm year-round. In the winter, there is a slight decrease in both the daytime and nighttime temperatures, and because of Cuautla's relative proximity south of the Tropic of Cancer and its altitude (about 4,500 feet or 1,400 meters above sea level), the nighttime temperatures year-round usually average about 57 °F (14 °C). On the other hand, because Cuautla is somewhat close to the Equator, temperatures year-round tend to reach into the mid-80s to lower 90s°F (upper 20s°C to the lower 30s°C) even during the winter, and in spring on many days the daytime temperatures may reach well into the upper 90s°F (lower 30s°C).[54]
| Climate data for Cuautla, Morelos (1981–2010, extremes 1927−2016) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 41.0 (105.8) |
44.0 (111.2) |
44.0 (111.2) |
46.0 (114.8) |
45.0 (113.0) |
46.0 (114.8) |
44.0 (111.2) |
44.0 (111.2) |
44.0 (111.2) |
44.0 (111.2) |
43.0 (109.4) |
40.2 (104.4) |
46.0 (114.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 27.0 (80.6) |
29.2 (84.6) |
32.0 (89.6) |
33.4 (92.1) |
33.2 (91.8) |
29.6 (85.3) |
27.8 (82.0) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.6 (81.7) |
28.1 (82.6) |
27.7 (81.9) |
26.7 (80.1) |
29.2 (84.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 18.7 (65.7) |
20.7 (69.3) |
22.8 (73.0) |
24.7 (76.5) |
25.5 (77.9) |
23.9 (75.0) |
22.4 (72.3) |
22.6 (72.7) |
22.2 (72.0) |
21.8 (71.2) |
20.4 (68.7) |
18.8 (65.8) |
22.0 (71.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10.4 (50.7) |
12.1 (53.8) |
13.7 (56.7) |
16.0 (60.8) |
17.8 (64.0) |
18.3 (64.9) |
17.1 (62.8) |
17.0 (62.6) |
16.7 (62.1) |
15.5 (59.9) |
13.2 (55.8) |
11.0 (51.8) |
14.9 (58.8) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 1.0 (33.8) |
5.0 (41.0) |
5.0 (41.0) |
8.0 (46.4) |
9.0 (48.2) |
10.0 (50.0) |
9.0 (48.2) |
11.0 (51.8) |
8.0 (46.4) |
6.2 (43.2) |
1.5 (34.7) |
5.0 (41.0) |
1.0 (33.8) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 10.6 (0.42) |
4.7 (0.19) |
3.9 (0.15) |
12.3 (0.48) |
44.2 (1.74) |
197.1 (7.76) |
168.7 (6.64) |
163.0 (6.42) |
172.4 (6.79) |
65.3 (2.57) |
17.1 (0.67) |
3.2 (0.13) |
862.5 (33.96) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.1 mm) | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 1.7 | 5.7 | 15.5 | 14.8 | 15.8 | 13.9 | 6.4 | 1.6 | 0.5 | 78.3 |
| Source: Servicio Meteorológico Nacional[55][56] | |||||||||||||
The dominant religion in Cuautla is Roman Catholicism. There are 22 registered churches in the municipal area.[53]