GUANAJUATO POPULATION: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The population of Guanajuato was 5,853,677 people by 2015, according to the latest official data. This represents 4.9% of the total in the Mexican Republic.

Regarding the distribution of its population, 70% is urban, while the rest live in rural areas. On the other hand, 2 out of every 1000 people 3 years of age or older speak an indigenous language.

In another vein, the first human settlements in Guanajuato date back to 500 BC. Its first settlers left important cultural, religious and traditional contributions.

Later, in the 16th century, the discovery of silver mines helped promote Spanish settlements, beginning the process of miscegenation ever since.

You may also be interested in the ethnic groups of Guanajuato or their traditions and customs.

Demographic data

The following demographic data of the population of Guanajuato correspond to official figures from 2015 (INEGUI).

-Capital: Guanajuato

-Governor: Miguel Márquez Márquez

-Area in km2: 30,608

-Population: 5,853,677

-Population density per km2: 191.24

-Most populated municipalities: León (1,277,700)

-Irapuato (397,700)

-Celaya (352,100)

-Indigenous language speakers: 14,835

Socioeconomic situation of the population of Guanajuato

95.6% of the total economically active population (12 years or more) is employed. Of them, 94.6% are men and 97.6% women.

On the other hand, half of the Guanajuato population that is not economically active is made up of people dedicated to housework and almost a third are students.

With regard to economic activities, commerce occupies the first place with 15.4%. Afterwards, the sector that ranks second is that of real estate services and rental of movable and intangible assets (11.5%).

These are followed by construction, the manufacture of machinery and equipment, the manufacture of petroleum and coal products, the chemical industry, the plastics and rubber industry, and the food industry.

Original settlers

Although the current population of Guanajuato, as in almost all of Mexico, lived a deep process of miscegenation, this territory was home to several indigenous tribes when the Spanish arrived.

Thus, the Guachichiles occupied the western end of present-day Guanajuato. For their part, the guamares were centered in the Sierras, but some groups extended to the east of the state of Querétaro.

The pames were located mainly in the central north and east. In addition, the Otomi and Tarascan Indians inhabited small portions of the state.

Customs and traditions

Many of the customs and traditions of the Guanajuato population are of religious origin.

For example, a week before Good Friday, the residents celebrate the Friday of Dolores (Virgen de Dolores) with altars, flowers and a popular festival in the Jardin de la Unión, the main square of the city of Guanajuato.

From May 22 to 31, the Festival of Our Lady of Guanajuato takes place with fireworks and old folk dances.

On the day of San Ignacio de Loyola, July 31, they go to some caves in the mountain west of Bufa for picnics.

Likewise, among the non-religious traditions are swimming and diving competitions every first Monday in July to celebrate the opening of the doors of the De la Olla reservoir.

It also highlights the representation of the famous Battle of Alhóndiga on September 28 in the Santa Rosa neighborhood.

References

1. National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Mexico). (2016). Statistical and geographic yearbook of Guanajuato 2016. Mexico: INEGI.
2. National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Mexico). (2016). Sociodemographic Panorama of Guanajuato 2015. Mexico: INEGI.
3. Guanajuato. (s / f). In Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from nationsencyclopedia.com.
4. Ministry of Economy. Mexico. (s / f). Economic and state information

   Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from gob.mx.

5. National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Mexico). (s / f). Mexico in figures. Guanajuato. Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from beta.inegi.org.mx.
6. Schmal, JP (s / f). The indigenous ancestors of Guanajuato: A Look into Guanajuato's Past. Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from houstonculture.org.
7. Guanajuato, Mexico, Festivities & Folk Traditions. (s / f). Retrieved on November 4, 2017, from ruelsa.com.