Uruapan

Uruapan is the second largest city in the Mexican state of Michoacán. It is located at the western edge of the Purépecha highlands, just to the east of the Tierra Caliente region. Since the colonial period, it has been an important city economically due its location. The city was conquered by the Spanish in 1522, when the last Purépecha ruler fled the Pátzcuaro area to here. The modern city was laid out in 1534 by Friar Juan de San Miguel. It played an important role in the War of Independence, and was the capital of Michoacán during the French Intervention. Today it is the center of Mexico's avocado growing region, with most of the crop distributed from here nationally and internationally. With a population of over 356,700, [3] the city is the second most populous and the second in economic importance in the state of Michoacán.[4][5] The city is located at the western edge of the Purépecha highlands of the state at 1,620 meters above sea level.[6] The city's center has colonial architecture which contain Plateresque and Moorish elements.[4] There are six historic neighborhoods of the city: San Miguel, San Pedro, San Francisco, Santa Maria Magdalena, San Juan Bautista and Santiago, all of which have colonial-era chapels in their centers.[7] Each of these neighborhoods have their own festival: San José on March 19, El Vergel on the third Friday in June, San Juan Quemado on June 24, San Pedro on June 29, La Magdalena on July 22, Santiago on July 25, San Miguel on September 29, San Francisco de Asis on October 4.[8] The patron saints' days of these neighborhoods are celebrated with colorful dances such as Los Negritos.[9]