Tecolotlán is located in the midwest of the state at an altitude of 1285 meters above sea level. The municipality, which covers an area of 795.55 square kilometres is bordered on the north by the municipalities of
Atengo,
Ameca and
San Martín de Hidalgo, to the east by the municipalities of
San Martín de Hidalgo,
Cocula,
Atemajac de Brizuela and
Chiquilistlan, to the south by the municipalities of
Chiquilistlan,
Juchitlán and
Tenamaxtlán and to the west by the municipalities of
Tenamaxtlán and
Atengo. The municipality contains 47 localities, the most important being Tecolotlán (the capital),
Tamazulita,
Quila,
Ayotitlán and
Cofradía de Duendes.
Topography The municipal area is in a valley between hills to the north and southeast, ranging from 1,200 to 2,400 meters. The hills include El Huehuentón (at 2000 metres), El Pichacho (at 1,700 metres), and others such as Cerro del Colotepec, Salto Colorado, El Tecolote, El Carrizal, La Coronilla, La Ventana. Cuchillos, Prieto, and Picachitos.
Hydrography A seasonally dry segment of the Tecolotlán river flows through the town of Tecolotlán. The largest river in the district is the
Ferrería River, which has a number of tributary streams such as El Jabalí, Gallinero, Tamazula, Tecolotlán, Las Canoas, Colorado, Cofradía, Sauz and the Amarillo. The
San Pedro Dam is located to the south of the municipality. Other water features include the El Pochote dam, Tecolotán waterfall, Salto de Santa Rosa, Salto de La Campana, Salto del Venado, Salto Seco and Salto de La Disciplina.
Flora and Fauna The municipality is covered with 30,900 hectares of pine and oak forests with some fruit trees. In the Sierra de Quila near the towns of Tenamaxtlan, Ameca, Atengo and San Martin Hidalgo, there is a tree named the Arbol de la Lira (Lyre Tree) which is approximately 600 years old. It is protected by the state environmental agency. The forest that surrounds the tree covers about 15,000 hectares and is guarded 24 hours a day. This forest is also home to the Cienega spring, which is surrounded by vegetation and has a monitoring station nearby. Animals that inhabit this region are
deer,
badger,
raccoon,
wolves,
foxes,
coyotes,
rabbit and some small reptiles and a variety of birds.
Protected Areas Protected areas include the La Ciénega spring, Las Juntas, Las Piedras de Quila and Sierra de Quila. There is also a notable palaeontological site at
Gliptodonte; many unearthed artifacts are located within the "Museo Comunitario" in the main town.
Climate The climate is moderately warm and semi-dry, and dry in the autumn and winter with an average annual temperature is 23 °C., with a maximum of 31 °C. and minimum of 15 °C. The rainfall falls heaviest in June and July, and a total of 773.1 mm is received annually on average. Prevailing winds approach from the south.
Transportation The main road in the municipality for transportation is via the
Guadalajara-
Barra de Navidad, 107 kilometres from the state capital. Private vehicles are the primary method of travel in the region.
Attractions The area does not have a highly developed tourist industry, but opportunities for ecotourism activies such as mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping are available. The Sierra de Quila and other natural features provide scenic landscapes and views. There are two principle dams with manmade lakes, the Presa del Ahogado and the Presa del Pochote. Both have facilities for camping and picnicking as well as docks for boating and fishing. The Presa del Pochote is particularly popular with residents of the nearby city of Guadalajara.
Religion The main religion is
Roman Catholicism, and notable churches within the municipality include the Parroquia del Sagrado Corazón, Santuario de la Purísima, Capilla de San José, Ermita de San Genaro, Capilla de la Cruz Verde, Capilla del Señor del Socorro, Capilla de San José María Robles, Parroquia de la Virgencita. == Economy ==