Teotihuacán de Arista

Infobox Settlement
name = Teotihuacán de Arista/San Juan Teotihuacán
settlement_type = Municipality
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Mexico
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = State of Mexico
image_shield =


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population_as_of=
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population_density_km2=auto
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leader_title = Municipal president
leader_name = Adriana Reyes Castañeda (2006-2009)
leader_party =
subdivision_type2 = Municipal seat
subdivision_name2 = Teotihuacán de Arista
subdivision_type3 = Largest city
subdivision_name3 = Teotihuacán de Arista
blank_name =
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timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd =19 | latm =41 | lats =23 | latNS =N
longd =98 | longm=51 | longs=39 | longEW =W
website=es icon
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Teotihuacán de Arista is the modern-day town and seat of the municipality San Juan Teotihuacán in the State of Mexico in Mexico; however both are generally referred to simply as Teotihuacán. It is located northeast of Mexico City right next to the famous archeological site of Teotihuacán, a World Heritage Site. Teotihuacán means "place where the gods reside in Náhuatl as the Aztecs believed the place was created by the sun and the moon. cite web |url= http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/mexico/mpios/15092a.htm |title= Enciclopedia de los Municipios de Mexico Estado de Mexico Teotihuacán |accessdate= 2008-03-22 ]

The town of Teotihuacán de Arista

The modern town is right next to the ancient city and archeological site of Teotihuacán, which has existed at least since 500 B.C. as one of the earlist civilizations in Mesoamerica. During the Aztec Empire, the area belonged to the lords of Texcoco forming part of the Aztec Triple Alliance. The Pyramid of the Sun in the ancient ruins was explored and restored by Leopoldo Batres around 1905. In the mid 1960's, much excavation work was carried out as well as a highway constructed to facilitate travel to the area, and declaring the area an archeological zone. The site contributes greatly to the economy of the town in the way of tourism.

The current population of the town is 21,577 and is at an atitude of 2270 meters above sea level.cite web |url=http://www.inegi.gob.mx/est/contenidos/espanol/sistemas/conteo2005/localidad/iter/default.asp?s=est&c=10395 |title=Principales resultados por localidad 2005 (ITER) |accessdate=2008-03-24 ]

From about 2001 to 2004, controversy erupted over a proposed Wal-mart store to be built in the town because of its proximity to the ruins. Wal-mart eventually won the right to build its store more than 2 miles away from the archeological zone. cite web |url= http://www.univision.com/content/content.jhtml?cid=494389 |title= Wal-Mart gana batalla en Teotihuacán |accessdate= 2008-03-24 ]

The municipality

As municipal seat the town of Teotihuacàn de Arista has governing jurisdiction over the following communities: Ampliación San Francisco, Atlatongo, Colonia Azteca, Colonia el Cayahual, Ejido Atlatongo, Ejido de Oxtoyáhuatl (Barrio Purificación), Ejido de San Lorenzo, Ejido de San Sebastián, Ejido de Santa María Coatlán, El Palomar (La Garita), El Potrero (Ejido Purificación), Granja Avícola Tecorral, Granja el Teniente, Granja San José, Granja San Martín, Granja Teniscaluca, Loma del Cerro Colorado, Metepec (Estación Metepec), Rancho de los Chopos, Rancho de Nuestra Señora de la Luz, Rancho Marte, Rancho San Juan (Rancho PEMEX), San Agustín Actipac, San Francisco Mazapa, San Isidro del Progreso, San Lorenzo Tlalmimilolpan, San Sebastián Xolalpa, Santiago Zacualuca, and Tercera Sección de Atlatongo (Cerro Ocuilán).

The municipality is bordered by the municipalities of Temascalapa, Acolman, Otumba, San Martín de las Pirámides and Tecámac. It has a territory of 82.65 km². The total municipal population is 46,779.

Outside of the municipal seat and away from the ruins, most economic activity is based on agriculture and livestock raising. However, some manufacturing in food processing, textiles, plastic and metal products.

References