Totontepec Villa de Morelos

Totontepec Villa de Morelos is a small village and municipality, in the Mixe region of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It is located in the mountainous Sierra Norte region of the state, some 1840 metres above sea level and some 326 km from the state capital, Oaxaca de Juárez.In spite of the Mixe influence, the toponym is Nahuatl in origin, meaning "hot hill".

The town

The locals, called Totontepecanos, speak Mexican Spanish and the local dialect of the Mixe language. Each dialect of Mixe is different depending on the village in which it is spoken. According to the 2005 census, the town had a population of 5,626 people.

The town's most notable feature is a rock that can be seen from nearly every location. They call it "La Mitra" (or mitre, in English). It is located at the top of the mountain on which Totontepec is built. The locals will scale this mountain to light prayer candles and get a great view of their town.

The municipality

According to the 2005 Census, the municipality had a total population of 4,780, many of whom were proficient of an indigenous tongue. The municipality covers 318.95 km².

As municipal seat, Totontepec has governing jurisdiction over the following communities:

Chinantequilla, El Duraznal, Patio Grande, Rancho Alejandro Villegas, San Francisco Jayacaxtepec, San Marcos Moctum, San Miguel Metepec, Santa María Huitepec, Santa María Ocotepec, Santa María Tiltepec, Santiago Amatepec, Santiago Jareta, Santiago Tepitongo, and Tierra Caliente (Rancho Uno y Rancho Dos)

Coordinates

*17° 15' N, 96° 02' W.

External links

* [http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/oaxaca/municipios/20554a.htm Totontepec Villa de Morelos] "(Enciclopedia de los Municipios)"
* [http://www.e-oaxaca.gob.mx/?P=Estado&b=Municipio&id=554 Totontepec Villa de Morelos] (oaxaca.gob.mx)