Irapuato

History

Prehispanic era

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.

Conquest

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.

Flood

On 18 August 1973, thousands of homes were destroyed and an estimated 200 or 300 people killed when a dam burst, sending a 7 ft high wall of water crashing into the city. Many people were left stranded on roofs and high places for days before they were rescued.

Massacres

Mass shootings occurred at drug rehabilitation centers on 6 June and 1 July 2020. In 2025, mass shootings occurred at drug rehabilitation centres.

Geography

Climate

It has a hot semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification: BSh) bordering on a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification: Cwa) with an average temperature of 20 °C. The large majority of rainfall occurs from June - September. It is at an altitude above sea level of 1724 m.

|Jan record high C = 32.0 |Feb record high C = 35.5 |Mar record high C = 36.5 |Apr record high C = 38.0 |May record high C = 42.1 |Jun record high C = 38.0 |Jul record high C = 35.0 |Aug record high C = 33.0 |Sep record high C = 34.0 |Oct record high C = 34.0 |Nov record high C = 33.0 |Dec record high C = 32.5 |Jan record low C = -3.0 |Feb record low C = -2.5 |Mar record low C = 0.0 |Apr record low C = 4.0 |May record low C = 5.0 |Jun record low C = 9.5 |Jul record low C = 6.5 |Aug record low C = 9.0 |Sep record low C = 4.8 |Oct record low C = 2.0 |Nov record low C = 0.0 |Dec record low C = -2.0 | access-date = 30 October 2025}}{{cite web | access-date = 30 October 2025

Transportation

Airport

Main article: Del Bajío International Airport

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

Major highways in Irapuato and their starting and ending points:

• [[File:Carretera federal 45.svg|25px]] Mexican Federal Highway 45 Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua - Panales, Hidalgo
• [[File:Carretera federal 90.svg|25px]] Mexican Federal Highway 90 Irapuato, Guanajuato - Zapotlanejo, Jalisco
• [[File:Carretera federal 43.svg|25px]] Mexican Federal Highway 43 Salamanca, Guanajuato - Morelia, Michoacán
• [[File:Carretera federal 110.svg|25px]] Mexican Federal Highway 110 Armería, Colima - Xoconostle, Guanajuato

Education

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.

Sport

The local football team is Irapuato FC, also known as La Trinca.

Stadiums and arenas

• Estadio Sergio Leon Chavez
• Plaza de Toros
• Parque Irekua
• Golf Club Santa Margarita

Notable people

• Amalia Macías – singer and actress who toured Europe
• Enrique del Moral – architect.
• Silvia Navarro – actress.
• Natalia Guerrero – actress.
• Carolina Miranda - actress.
• Carlos Cordero – athlete for Mexico at the 2012 London Olympics.
• Samuel Ruiz – Catholic prelate.
• Mario Castañeda – Mexican voice actor.
• Chucho Navarro – founding member of the Trio Los Panchos.
• Miguel Ángel Chico Herrera – president of PRI from 2005 to 2009.
• Roberto Alvarado – professional soccer player who plays for Cruz Azul in the Liga MX, and the Mexico National Team.
• Claudio González – professional soccer player who plays for Club Leon in the Liga MX.
• Óscar Razo – professional soccer player who played for Club Atlas in the Liga MX.
• Francisco Rotllán – professional soccer player who played for Mexico at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona.
• Sergio Ávila – professional soccer player who played for Chivas de Guadalajara and the Mexico U-23 national team.
• José Antonio Patlán – professional soccer player who played for Chivas de Guadalajara in 2006
• Juan Zaragoza – soccer player

Images

File:MiguelHidalgoMural.jpg|Mural depicting Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and the Mexican Independence movement. File:TemplodelHospitalito.jpg|Hospitalito Church File:IrapuatoMural.jpg|Mural depicting Irapuato's Purépecha and Spanish history File:AguasDanzarinas.JPG|Aguas Danzarinas Fountain File:Irapuato Plaza Principal.jpg|Irapuato's Hidalgo Garden File:Templo de la Soledad.jpg|Templo de la Soledad File:IrapuatoCentroHistorico.jpg|Plaza de Los Fundadores File:Irapuato 1907.jpg|Tercera Orden's Church, circa 1907. Photo courtesy SMU

Sister cities

• [[File:Flag of Mexico.svg|20px]] Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico
• [[File:Flag of the United States.svg|20px]] Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States
• [[File:Flag of the United States.svg|20px]] Houston, Texas, United States
• [[File:Flag of the United States.svg|20px]] Chula Vista, California, United States
• [[File:Flag of the United States.svg|20px]] Laredo, Texas, United States
• [[File:Flag of Cuba.svg|20px]] Marianao, Havana, Cuba
• [[File:Flag of the United States.svg|20px]] McAllen, Texas, United States
• [[File:Flag of Spain.svg|20px]] Murcia, Murcia, Spain

References

References

1. "Historia de Irapuato". Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México.
2. [http://www.citypopulation.de/en/mexico/admin/guanajuato/11017__irapuato/ Citypopulation.de] Population of Irapuato municipality with localities
3. "2005 Census". INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática.
4. "Irapuato History". irapuato.gob.mx.
5. "Historia de la Conquista". irapuato.gob.mx.
6. [https://www.britishpathe.com/video/VLVAATORNXT4GAGQ0ILVMT5QXJ960-MEXICO-200-FEARED-DEAD-IN-DEVASTATED-FLOOD-TOWN-OF-IRAPUATO/query/FEARED 200 feared dead]
7. [https://tvnews.vanderbilt.edu/broadcasts/472200 300 feared dead]
8. (2020-07-03). "The killing of 26 people at a drug rehab center in Mexico thought to be part of a gang war".
9. (7 June 2020). "Ten shot dead in attack on Irapuato drug rehab center - San Miguel Times".