|map_caption =
|coordinates_region = MX
|subdivision_type = Country
|subdivision_name =
|subdivision_type1 =
State
|subdivision_name1 =
Guanajuato
|leader_title = Mayor
|leader_name =
Juan Roberto Tovar
|established_title = Founded
|established_date = February 3, 1833
|area_magnitude = 1 E9
|unit_pref= Metric
|area_total_km2 =
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_km2 =
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_km2 =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|population_as_of = 2005
|population_metro =
|population_total = 147,123
|population_density_km2 =
|population_density_sq_mi =
|timezone =
CST
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST =
CDT
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|latd = 20 |latm = 56 |lats = 52 |latNS = N
|longd = 100 |longm = 25 |longs = 41 |longEW = W
|elevation_m = 1780
|elevation_ft = 5840
|website = www.silao.gob.mx
|postal_code_type =
Mexican Postal Code
|postal_code = 36100
|area_code = 472
|footnotes =
}}
:
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, 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 and GMC Pickups, Cadillac Escalade EXT and the Chevrolet Avalanche.
This city is served by the Del Bajío International Airport. It functions as the central airport for the cities of Irapuato, Guanajuato, León, and Salamanca.
Toponymy
In its original
Nahuatl, 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'.
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'.
Geography
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.
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 country.
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.
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.
Population
According to the results presented by the second 'Conteo de Población y Vivienda' (census)
of 2005, the municipality counts a total of 147,123 inhabitants.
Ethnic Groups
The indigenous population of Silao is limited to 203 inhabitants 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 persons who speak some indigenous language.
The municipality has a density of 250 persons per square kilometer and an average population increase of 1.6%.
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.
Historic Monuments
Parroquia de Santiago Apóstol, construction was started in the end of the 17th century and ended in the year 1728. Its style is neo-classical.
Templo del Santuario, constructed at the end of the 17th 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.
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. 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 minutes by highway. León and Irapuato are about 15 minutes by highway.
References
External links
Official website of the comerce of Silao, Guanajuato (Español)
Ayuntamiento de Silao Official website of the municipality of Silao (Español)
Guanajuato Encyclopedia of the Municipalities of Mexico (Español)
Official website of the municipality of Silao, Guanajuato (Español)
Periodico de Sociales Gente&Stilo; de Silao, Guanajuato (Español)
Enciclopedia de los Munincipios de Guanajuato (Español)
Category:Populated places in Guanajuato
