Iguala

Geography

The city of Iguala stands on Federal Highway 95 about 130 km SSW of Mexico City. Iguala is the municipal seat of the Municipality of Iguala de la Independencia, located in the north-central part of the state.

The city had a 2005 census population of 110,390 and the municipality 128,444. The area of the municipality is 567.1 km2. The city is the third-largest community in Guerrero, after Acapulco and Chilpancingo.

History

General Vicente Guerrero was the first military leader to swear allegiance to the Mexican flag in Acatempan, on March 12, 1821. On February 24, the Plan de Iguala had been signed by Agustín de Iturbide and Vicente Guerrero, ending the long Mexican War of Independence.

Gaining independence from Spain was represented by the first national flag, known as the Flag of the Three Guarantees, which was made by José Magdaleno Ocampo. Thus, Iguala is called the birthplace of the Flag of Mexico.

Iguala mass kidnapping

Main article: 2014 Iguala mass kidnapping

On 26 September 2014, 43 students from the Raúl Isidro Burgos Rural Teachers' College in Ayotzinapa were kidnapped, disappeared, and likely murdered, provoking ongoing national protests and international attention. Mexican Federal Police and Iguala's police department and former mayor were implicated in the students' kidnapping and disappearance; members of the Guerreros Unidos drug cartel in the mass murder. The governor of Guerrero state, Ángel Aguirre Rivero, resigned amid the scandal.

Features

The San Francisco Church (Iglesia de San Francisco) is a landmark in the city, built in the 19th century in the Neoclassical style. It is surrounded by tamarind trees, and for them Iguala is known as "la Ciudad Tamarindera" (the Tamarindo city).

The Lagoon of Tuxpan (Laguna de Tuxpan), is a lake in the outskirts of the city, located in the small town of Tuxpan. It is known for its beauty, and popular seafood restaurants. Natives of Tuxpan have worked hard to maintain the popular lagoon healthy for the locals and the city people that visit every weekend.

Events

The Iguala Flag Fair is held in late February annually. It is one of the most important annual festivities for the people of Iguala. It is celebrated with a parade of floats, cockfights, and Mexican handcrafts and folk art exhibitions. Iguala's local artisans create gold and silver jewelry.

Government

Main article: List of municipal presidents of Iguala

Sister City

• USA Montebello, California (1971)
• USA Aurora (2007)

References

References

1. [http://www.tourbymexico.com/guerrero/iguala/iguala.htmTour By Mexico: Iguala City in Guerrero State, Mexico]{{dead link. (November 2017)
2. {{in lang. es—[http://www.e-local.gob.mx/wb2/ELOCAL/EMM_guerrero Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México: Municipios en Guerrero] {{webarchive. link. (2012-03-06)
3. [http://www.inegi.gob.mx/est/contenidos/espanol/sistemas/conteo2005/localidad/iter/ INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática: Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005] {{webarchive. link. (2007-03-28)
4. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/05/mass-grave-found-mexican-town-43-students-missing The Guardian: Mass grave found in Mexican town] {{webarchive. link. (2014-10-12 ; 5 October 2014.)
5. {{in lang. es—[http://www.jornada.unam.mx/2014/10/02/politica/011n1pol Jornada.unam.mx: Cano opinion] {{webarchive. link. (2014-10-05 ; 2 October 2014)
6. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/10/11/in-mexico-mass-kidnapping-and-slaying-of-students-in-iguala-brings-outrage-and-protests-against-gangs-and-government/ The Washington Post: "Mass kidnapping of students in Iguala, Mexico, brings outrage and protests"] {{webarchive. link. (2015-06-27 ; 11 October 2014; accessed 10.11.2014.)
7. [http://www.borderlandbeat.com/2014/10/guerreros-unidos-narco-banners-appear.html Borderlandbeat.com: "Guerreros Unidos narco banners appear"] {{webarchive. link. (2014-10-21 ; posted October 2014.)
8. {{in lang. es—[http://www.jornada.unam.mx/ultimas/2014/10/06/gendarmeria-y-ejercito-controlan-seguridad-en-iguala-anuncia-rubido-8035.html Jornada.unam.mx: Pérez Silva opinion] {{webarchive. link. (2014-10-28 ; 6 October 2014.)
9. {{in lang. es—[http://www.sinembargo.mx/opinion/06-10-2014/27853 SinEmbargo.mx: Martínez opinion] {{webarchive. link. (2014-10-07 ; 6 October 2014.)
10. [http://www.elmundo.es/internacional/2014/10/05/543195e6e2704e065f8b4578.html Elmundo.es: Garcia opinion] {{webarchive. link. (2014-10-14 ; 5 October 2014.)
11. (13 Dec 2014). "Iguala: la historia no oficial".
12. (16 Dec 2014). "Iguala, Guerrero, Mexico: Unofficial Story Involves Federal Police and Army in Attack on Ayotzinapa Students".
13. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/07/gang-suspected-43-mexican-students The Guardian: "Mexican gang suspected of killing 43 students admits to mass murder"] {{webarchive. link. (2014-11-10 ; 7 November 2014; accessed 10 November 2014.)
14. [https://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2014/11/08/362487729/mexican-authorities-drug-traffickers-confess-to-killing-43-students NPR: "Mexican Authorities: Drug Traffickers Confess To Killing 43 Students"] {{webarchive. link. (2015-04-29 ; 8 November 2014; accessed 11.11.2014.)
15. [http://www.latimes.com/world/mexico-americas/la-fg-mexico-governor-steps-down-missing-students-20141023-story.html Los Angeles Times: Mexico governor steps down over missing students"] {{webarchive. link. (2014-10-24 ; 23 October 2014; accessed 11.11.2014.)
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