Tlalmanalco

According to archeological findings, there was a village stronghold in the area from about 3,100 to 600 B.C. Groups such as the Xochteca, Cocolca, Olmec-Xicallanca and Quiyahuizteca populated the area between the 10th and 13th centuries. However, these groups were later driven from here by the Toltecs and the Chichimecas. A subgroup of these two tribes, called the Nonohualcas, arrived to the area in the 13th century and formed a city-state in what is now Tlalmanalco in 1336. This city-state formed an alliance with ethnically-related populations such as those in Amaquemecan, Chimalhuacan and Tenango Tepopollan. This area was one of the last to be conquered by the Aztecs, but after 100 years of fighting, the alliance succumbed in 1465. Tlalmanalco suffered the forced indentured servitude of the native population from 1550 to 1633, when this practice was abolished. Attempts to industrialize the rural, farming economy began in 1858, when a copper smelting operation and various textile mills were introduced, as well as a railroad line. One of the more important factories by the turn of the century was the San Rafael y Anexas, S.A. paper mill, located in the nearby village of San Rafael. This mill elevated the area economically, and was considered one of the most important industries in Mexico from 1930 to 1970. ==Notable sites==

The Temple of San Luis Obispo, with the adjoining Capilla Abierta (Open Chapel) were built in the 16th century by the Franciscans as part of the Monastery of San Luis. The first church was built by Friar Juan de Rivas which opened in 1532. In the open chapel was where mass was offered to natives who would not enter the dark confines of the typical church. however, this piece is in the Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City. ==Culture==

Gastronomy Dishes of the area include mixiote, tlacoyos with fava beans, pinto beans and requeson, cecina, green mole with chicken or pork, and pork in chile mulato but a very local specialty is tamales with capulins (a type of cherry) and corn. The major annual celebrations revolve around the town's patron saints, especially Saint Louis, the Bishop and the Archangel Raphael. The feast of Saint Louis, the Bishop is on 20 August and the feast of the Archangel Raphael is 29 September. They are celebrated with processions, fireworks and local dances including “Los Doce Pares de Francia”, “Marotas” and “Chinelos.” ==The municipality==

As municipal seat, the town of Tlalmanalco has governing jurisdiction for the following communities: San Antonio Tlaltecahuacán, San Lorenzo Tlalmimilolpan, San Rafael, Santo Tomás Atzingo, Ranchería San José Zavaleta, La Ladrillera, Rancho Santa Cruz, Rancho Cuautenampa (La Quebradora), La Escondida, Rancho la Mesa, Santa María, Restaurante el Arenal (Familia Carbajal), El Brasero, Gavillero (Rancho el Gavillero), Lomas del Pedregal, Santiago (Kilómetro Cincuenta y Ocho y Medio), Fraccionamiento Valle Plateado, Villa Rincón de las Montañas, La Presa, Ejido San Lorenzo (La Cañada), Rancho de la Huerta, El Durazno, Rancho Santa Rita, Terreno San Luis (La Nopalera), Rancho la Joya (La Rosa), Vista Hermosa, Fraccionamiento Vergel de la Sierra, El Trapiche (Xacalco), Rancho Alfa y Omega, Colonia Ejidal (San Juan Atzacoaloya), El Faro, El Capulín, Tiro de las Palomas, Colonia el Magueyal Dos, Rancho Carvajal, Rancho San Luis, Rancho Fernando de la Machorra, Rancho la Encumbre, Colonia la Esperanza, Tepopotal and Fraccionamiento las Palomas. Together, the municipality has a total area of The major river here is called La Compañía, which has nine arroyos, one lake and seven aqueducts associated with it in the municipality. Much of the water flowing from this system comes from the Ayolotepito glacier. The most important community in the municipality outside of the seat is San Rafael, located about 5 km east of the town of Tlalmanalco at the foot of the Iztaccihuatl volcano The town essentially was created due to the placement of the San Rafael paper mill, which reached its height of production between 1930 and 1970. Its old cinema and casino are still standing but empty, and there are a number of older houses that show the French influence that was popular in Mexico between the 19th and 20th centuries. The town is nearly surrounded by pine forest and there are many unpaved roads leading into it, most of which were cut by the paper mill. The municipality has a number of elevations, including Teyotl, a 4700 meters and Tlatlachelo at 3175 meters. The latter has some Toltec-era shrines at its peak. ==References==