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This article is about the state in Mexico. For the capital city of that state, see Durango, Durango. For other uses, see Durango (disambiguation).
Durango (Spanish pronunciation: [duˈɾaŋɡo]) is one of the constituent states of Mexico, with a population of 1,509,118.[1] It has Mexico's second-lowest population density, after Baja California Sur. The city of Durango is the state's capital.
[edit] HistoryDurango, along with the states of Chihuahua, Sonora and Sinaloa, was the historical and geographical unity of Northern Mexico, for what was the majority of the current millennium; it wasn't until the territories were reorganized after the independence struggle that they emerged as independent entities. This broad area represents the natural corridor that the Sierra Madre Occidental offered to the Toltec and Nahuatlaca tribes, both whom took advantage of the large accidental stone conformations to survive in the wilderness of the territory. The new formations formed as the only security for the tribes that moved among Northern Mexico and the Valley of Anahuac, eventually becoming a home-state for these tribes who then began to form small communities, united by language and region. The Huichol, Cora, and Tarahumara Tepehuanos incorporated perfectly distinct nations, each with evident sedentary purposes, and a strong family structure, all whilst setting aside the bellicose attitude of the Chichimec tribe of the center of the then-current Republic. The exceptions were the Acaxees, Humas, and Xiximes who were constantly at war but always on the look-out for final settlements in the region of the Quebradas. [edit] GeographyThe state of Durango is bordered to the north by Chihuahua, to the north-east by Coahuila, to the south-east by Zacatecas, to the south-west by Nayarit, and to the west by Sinaloa. Most of the state is heavily mountainous and a good part forested; the Sierra Madre Occidental occupies the western and central part of the state. This mountain range contains a good supply of minerals, including the silver that encouraged Spanish occupation of the territory after it was discovered. These mines extend north into Chihuahua and south into the state of Zacatecas. Vast desert basins in the Laguna District are irrigated by the Nazas River. Major crops grown in the area include cotton, wheat, corn, alfalfa, beans, sorghum, and other vegetables. Durango is famous for its scorpions. Mexicans generally refer to the people of Durango as Alacrán de Durango (Scorpions from Durango). The demonym for the natives of Durango is Duranguense(s). The major occupations in Durango are farming, lumbering and ranching. [edit] Arts and culture[edit] The Land of the CinemaDurango is known nationally and even internationally for two reasons: one being that it is "the land of the scorpions" due to the many species of spiders in the state, especially in the colonial areas, and second as "the land of cinema." Durango has among its credits over 120 film productions, both domestic and foreign, and as a result, during the decades of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, had earned that title. Durango has established itself as one of the favorite places of film producers and directors due to its picturesque views and scenic beauty. Film arrived in a train heading to Durango in 1889; when the Mexican Revolution began in 1910, film producer Raoul Walsh recorded the battles of General Francisco Villa. These scenes were included in the film The Life of General Villa produced by D. W. Griffith, and directed by Christy Cabanne in 1914. Hollywood had discovered Durango in the mid-century. In 1954, the film industry officially entered the state; American film art director Jack Smith had flown over Durango and was instantly seduced by the landscape. Subsequently, the first movie filmed in Durango was White Feather, directed by Robert D. Webb. Durango also had close ties with John Wayne. The close friendship between Durango and John Wayne, an American actor and icon of Western movies, started in 1965, and resulted in the making of the films The Sons of Katie Elder, The War Wagon, and Chisum, among many others. Such was the amount of time that Wayne spent in Durango filming that he acquired a ranch in the state.
[edit] CuisineBasque conquerors who founded Durango and began the conquest of the northern territory brought their recipes and the first herds. Among the dishes from Durango, is "caldillo", particulary noted for its antiquity. Made with beef and delicious in all its variations, whether it be with chile verde (green chile), chile colorado (red chile), or chile pasado (dehydrated green chiles). The broth is the first culinary preparation in the long history of culture in Durango, and demonstrates the influence of cultures that have been in the genesis of Durango. Its origin goes back to the days of the Basque Captain Francisco de Ibarra, and in one of their first conceptions, appears in an old manuscript that belonged to wealthy miner and landowner, Joseph del Campo Soberón and Larrea Soberon, the Count of Súchil Valley. Durango is noted for its marmalades and preservers of quince, figs, and peaches, as well as the native pitahaya. Gallina Borracha or 'drunken chicken' is a dish unique to Durango, comprised of mostly Spanish ingredients, such as raisins, sherry and almonds. Traditional drinks include Licor de Membrillo, a liquor made from quince. Durango is also known for its cheeses, in particular queso chihuahua, also called 'queso menonita', a type of cheese made by the state's numerous Mennonite residents. The people from Durango also enjoy traditional Mexican dishes, such as tamales, tacos, cabrito, and enchiladas. [edit] DemographicsAccording to the last census that took place in 2005, Durango, with just over a million and a half inhabitants, occupies the 24th position within the 32 federal entities regarding population, and reports an average growth rate so low that it would take more than 250 years to double its number of inhabitants. Despite the low demographic density it contains, only 12 inhabitants per sq. km., 60% of the population is concentrated in only three of the 39 state municipalities: Durango, Gómez Palacio, and Lerdo. The rest live in small and disperse localities, for as much as 6,258 communities can be found in the state, 82% of which have less than 100 inhabitants. Only 2% of the population over 5 years of age speak a native dialect, 80% of which belong to the Tepehuana ethnic group, a native culture from Durango. Other smaller indigenous groups include the Huicholes and the Mexicaneros, the latter of an unknown descent and who speak the Nahuatl tongue. Some 67% of the population lives in urban areas, below the 76% national average. Even so, the migration of people from the rural zones towards urban environments represents a serious issue for the government of Durango, because it implies satisfying a high demand for public services and utilities. [edit] MunicipalitiesMain article: Municipalities of Durango Durango is divided into 39 municipalities (municipios). Durango has recently experienced an increase in organized crime and vandalism. [edit] Major communities
[edit] Notable people[edit] References
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Coordinates: 24°56′05″N 104°54′43″W / 24.93472°N 104.91194°W | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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