Azcapotzalco

Azcapotzalco ("Place of the ants" in Nahuatl) is one of the 16 delegaciones (boroughs) into which Mexico's Federal District is divided.

Azcapotzalco is in the northwestern part of Mexico City. It was a town of its own until it was swallowed up by the burgeoning conurbation of Mexico City.

Today, Azcapotzalco is divided into many "colonias" (neighborhoods), including Nueva Santa María, Clavería, San Rafael, El Rosario, Villas de Azcapotzalco, El Recreo, and Santa Cruz Acayucan.

History

Pre-Columbian Period

Founded by the Tepanec, Azcapotzalco rose to prominence in the late 14th century. This city-state was one of those who allied to drive the Mexica out of Chapultepec. Between 1371 and 1426, it was led by Tezozomoc. Under Tezozomoc, Azapotzalco became the preeminent power in the Valley of Mexico and beyond. He was succeeded by his son Maxtla, who lost both Azcapotzalco and his life to the newly formed Triple Alliance in 1428.

Spanish Influence

Much of the Spanish Colonial Style architecture is still in use in Azcapotzalco; of particular note is the Church of St. James and St. Philip with its the chapel of the Virgin of Rosario and the associated Dominican monastery.

The chapel contains the following altarpieces:

The Santa Ana altarpieces, signed by Juan Correa (17th century)
The San Jose altarpiece.
The Virgin of Guadalupe altarpiece, and
And the central altarpiece dedicated to the Virgen del Rosario.

The chapel of the Virgin of Rosario often is compared to the chapels of Puebla and Oaxaca as the best examples of Spanish colonial church architecture and decoration.

The Porfirian era

Between 1910 and1920, Mexico City's character was largely influenced by President Porfirio Díaz. During this period, several of the city's suburbs were known by different names, for example: The American Suburb (now Zona Rosa), Centro Suburb (now Historic Centre), Roma Suburb (Colonia Roma), Chapultepec Forest Area (now Bosque de Chapultepec and Lomas de Chapultepec), San Angel (now San Angel Inn), Hacienda de los Morales (now Polanco) and Azcapotzalco (now Azcapotzalco) were considered glamorous and luxurious areas.

On Azcapotzalco Avenue, elegant French architecture houses were built, and a very European atmosphere existed (still present to some extent today). President Díaz enjoyed visiting the suburb because, as he would say, "Azcapotzalco is the place where I have a still day". During this period, Azcapotzalco was known as Porfirio Díaz's Azcapotzalco.

Modern day

Azcapotzalco changed dramatically in the 20th century. Urban sprawl led to many of Mexico City's suburbs becoming absorbed into the city proper. Mexico's state-owned oil monopoly, PEMEX, built an oil refinery there and Azcapotzalco developed a middle-class reputation.

Now Azcapotzalco have a new period of economic increase. With the TecnoParque Azcapotzalco, the first technological park and of Mexico City businesses is an innovator and only designed concept to satisfy the demand of offices for national or multinational companies and institutions that require modern spaces, efficient, in an atmosphere of exceptional work.

The geographic location, in the heart of the metropolitan Mexico City area's, and design of the buildings of TecnoParque carefully has been planned to foment the productivity and the comfort of the users. In this highly competitive world, TecnoParque is the ideal alternative to locate to private companies and governmental institutions, that more and more are forced to think about how they work and how they can improve his performance, reducing his expenses and increasing the productivity and employees satisfaction's.

External links

Delegación Azcapotzalco official site