Irapuato

Irapuato is a Mexican city and municipality located at the foot of the Arandas Hill (in Spanish: Cerro de Arandas), in the central region of the state of Guanajuato. It lies between the Silao River and the Guanajuato River, a tributary of the Lerma River, at 1,724 m (5,656 ft) above sea level. It is located at 20°40′N 101°21′W﻿ / ﻿20.667°N 101.350°W﻿ / 20.667; -101.350. The city is the second-largest in the state (only behind León), with a population of 342,561 according to the 2005 census, while its municipality has a population of 529,440. The municipality has an area of 851 km (329 sq mi) and includes numerous smaller outlying communities. Although it is now an important center for regional trade and transportation center as well the site of several automotive and chemical manufacturing plants, the city's main industry has historically been agriculture and it has long been known for its strawberries and industry of refried beans, also the raising of pigs and cattle. The fruits and flowers of Irapuato's luxurious gardens are well known throughout Mexico.
In the pre-Hispanic era, the site was inhabited by the Chichimecas (c. 1200 AD), a group of semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers. Later on, the Purépechas conquered the region and initiated the establishment of a permanent settlement. They constructed buildings in the Purépecha architectural style, produced pottery, and practiced agriculture. They called the settlement Xiriquitzio (or Iriquitzio), which the Spanish conquerors pronounced "Jiricuato" (or Jiricuicho), which meant "the place with houses (or low dwellings)". The initial growth period, however, was short-lived. The downfall of the Purépecha Empire led to the abandonment of the settlement, at which point it was once again inhabited by the Chichimecas.
In the 16th century, vasts amounts of silver ore were discovered at the present day site of the capital city of Guanajuato. This discovery led to a massive migration of Spanish settlers to the area.
On 18 August 1973, thousands of homes were destroyed and an estimated 200 or 300 people killed when a dam burst, sending a seven-foot (2.1 m) high wall of water crashing into the city. Many people were left stranded on roofs and high places for days before they were rescued.
Mass shootings occurred at drug rehabilitation centers on 6 June and 1 July 2020.
It has a humid subtropical climate (Cwa in the Köppen climate classification) with an average temperature of 20 °C (68 °F). The large majority of rainfall occurs from June - September. It is at an altitude above sea level of 1,724 meters (5,656 ft).
Irapuato is a 2 or 3 hour flight from cities including Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, among others. Located just 25 minutes from the city of Irapuato the Del Bajío International Airport (officially, Guanajuato International Airport) (IATA: BJX) is an international airport located in Silao, close to Irapuato, Guanajuato, Mexico. It handles national and international air traffic of the area that includes the cities of León, Irapuato, and the state capital, Guanajuato. Guanajuato International Airport is an important connecting point for some flights from Mexico City to the United States.
Major highways in Irapuato and their starting and ending points:
The city of Irapuato is home to some private universities including a branch of the University of the Incarnate Word, a Catholic university based in the United States, and a single public university, the Higher Technological Institute of Irapuato (ITESI).
The city is also home to a research center of the Center for Advanced Research and Studies (CINVESTAV) specializing in plant biotechnology and genetics and the newly created National Center of Plant Genomics.
The local football team is Irapuato FC, also known as La Trinca.