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Hidalgo (state)

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Hidalgo is a state in east-central Mexico.

RelojPachucaAtardecer
RelojPachucaAtardecer

It is one of 32 federal entities in the country. The state sits near many other places. It borders San Luis Potosí and Veracruz to the north. Puebla is to the east. Tlaxcala and the State of Mexico are to the south. Querétaro is to the west.

ZocaloActopan
ZocaloActopan

The land is mostly made of mountains. However, some parts sit on a flat coastal plain. The state is one of the smaller states in Mexico. It covers about 20,813 square km and has 2.858 million people.

History in this land goes back a very long time.

Pinturas Rupestres en Huichapan
Pinturas Rupestres en Huichapan

People lived in these areas as far back as 14,000 B.C.E. The Olmec groups were among the first settlers. They looked for jade and serpentine in the earth. Later, the Toltecs settled in places like Xochicoatlán. They eventually built a capital called Tollan, which we now call Tula.

Los atlantes de Tula
Los atlantes de Tula

You can still see the ruins of Tula today. The Aztecs also arrived and took over the southern part of the state. They joined the land into the Aztec Empire.

Spanish explorers arrived after the Aztec Empire fell.

2008 08 17 Pachuca(2)
2008 08 17 Pachuca(2)

They took control of many natural resources. Mining became a huge part of how people lived. People dug for silver and gold in the Pachuca area. This work was the backbone of the economy for a long time. In the 1800s, British companies came to help. They brought steam-powered machines to the mines.

PlazaRealdelMonte
PlazaRealdelMonte

They also brought miners from Cornwall in England. These miners left behind new foods like the "paste."

BakedPastes
BakedPastes

You can still find these snacks in the state today.

Creating the state of Hidalgo was a slow process.

Miguel Hidalgo con estandarte
Miguel Hidalgo con estandarte

It was originally part of a much larger territory. In 1869, Benito Juárez officially created the state. He named it after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. Hidalgo was a leader in the Mexican War of Independence. Pachuca was named the capital city. The name "de Soto" was added to the capital later. This was to honor a man who helped create the state.

MainGrottoTolantongo
MainGrottoTolantongo

The state has 84 different municipalities.

Today, Hidalgo is a place of many cultures.

LordsPrayerOtomiIxmi
LordsPrayerOtomiIxmi

The Otomi people still keep much of their traditional culture. There are also descendants of Italian and Jewish families. Many people visit for ecotourism and history. You can see old haciendas or visit natural hot water springs.

Prismas Basalticos (Hidalgo)
Prismas Basalticos (Hidalgo)

Some people visit the Huasteca area for its beauty. The state also has many archaeological sites to explore. It is a land where old traditions meet new ways of living.

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🖼️ Images & Media (44)
File:Morena_Party_(Mexico).svg
Morena_Party_(Mexico).svg
File:PRI logo (Mexico).svg
PRI logo (Mexico).svg
File:PAN (Mexico).svg
PAN (Mexico).svg
File:Pinturas Rupestres en Huichapan.JPG
Pinturas Rupestres en Huichapan.JPG
File:Los atlantes de Tula.JPG
Los atlantes de Tula.JPG
File:2008 08 17 Pachuca(2).JPG
2008 08 17 Pachuca(2).JPG
File:Miguel Hidalgo con estandarte.jpg
Miguel Hidalgo con estandarte.jpg
File:LordsPrayerOtomiIxmi.JPG
LordsPrayerOtomiIxmi.JPG
File:BakedPastes.JPG
BakedPastes.JPG
File:Diana Cazadora Ixmiquilpan2.jpg
Diana Cazadora Ixmiquilpan2.jpg
File:ZocaloIxmiq.jpg
ZocaloIxmiq.jpg
File:KioskHuasca.JPG
KioskHuasca.JPG

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