Zapopan History, Mexico

Many of the major cities in Mexico have a familiar history beginning in the 1500s during the Spanish Conquest. However, the interesting part about Zapopan is that it was first inhabited well into the 1100s by a variety of native tribes which have left an impression in the society that remains today. Ancient civilizations that roamed the territory of Zapopan, Mexico include the Totonac, Otomi, Zapotec and Tarascan tribes. Later on, a trace of the Uto Aztecan tribes was detected here through archeological remains and artifacts.

Zapopan was one of the latter areas to fall under the control of the Spanish. This conquest ranged from the late 1520s to 1540. The reason for its conquest was largely made possible by the Spanish’s alliance with the Tlaxcaltec tribes which were great enemies of those who resided on the Zapopan land. In the 1530s, the land was actually deserted but in 1540 it was once again under Spanish control.

Due to its geographical proximity to Monterrey, many locals from Zapopan played a huge role in the Mexican American War battle, the battle of Monterrey. They also participated in a variety of other battles including in San Luis Potosí, Chapultepec, Saltillo, and Churubusco. Those from Zapopan seem to be of soldiers since many also fought for Jalisco against the French, played a role in the Mexican Revolution against the Spanish Crown and in the Cristero War.

Probably due to all of its participation in wars over the years, Zapopan made for the perfect breeding ground for political ideas and parties to rise such as the Partido Acción Nacional or the National Action Party.

Today Zapopan has converted into a huge industrial and political area. The city is adorned with many sky rise buildings as well as textile factories. It has the most profitable and important factories and businesses found within its city limits such as Flextronics Corporation, Jabil Electronics and Empresas Tajín.

Zapopan is also supported by local tourism where a fraction of their economy derives from.