Hidalgo

Mexican State

Area: 20,870sq.km/8058sq.mi

Population: 2,112,500

The state of Hidalgo, most of which lies in the central Mexican highlands, is bounded on the north by the states of San Luis Potosí and Veracruz, on the west by Querétaro, on the south by México state and Tlaxcala, and on the east by Puebla. The northern and eastern parts of the state are very mountainous, while to the south and west lies a relatively flat plateau. The population consists of whites, mestizos and a considerable proportion of Indians - Otomí, Nahua and Huastecs.

Archaeological Sites

In addition to the great Toltec site of Tula Hidalgo has a number of archaeological sites which are being newly excavated at Tepeapulco, Tepeyahualco and Huapacalco. History

In pre-Columbian times the Hidalgo area was mainly under the influence of Teotihuacán and to a lesser degre El Tajín cultures during the Classic period. Later the city of Tula (Tollán) became the centre of the Toltec culture (ad 968-1175). The Otomí and Huastecs, who settled here after the departure of the Toltecs, fell under the dominance of the Aztecs in the second half of the 15th c. The history of Hidalgo during the colonial period was for the most part that of its capital, Pachuca. Under the Republic it was part of México state until 1869, when it became an independent state under the name of the hero of Mexican independence, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla (1753-1811).

Economy

In terms of mineral resources Hidalgo is one of the richest states in Mexico, with mines yielding silver, gold, mercury, copper, iron, lead, zinc and antimony. Its agriculture and forestry produce wheat, coffee, agaves, tobacco, mahogany and ebony. In the south of the state is a considerable concentration of industry (textiles, cement, goods wagons, motor vehicles, machinery). Hidalgo also boasts a large oil refinery. Tourism is making an increasing contribution to the economy.

Sights

Places of interest in Hidalgo include the archaeological sites already mentioned, the state capital of Pachuca, Actopán, Ixmiquilpan and Zimapán and Tepejí del Río.