Toluca de Lerdo, official name of the capital of Mexico State, is a beautiful contemporary city and the main industrial center in the country. Located 65 kilometers to the west of Mexico City, it is guarded by the Nevado de Toluca Volcano, which measures over 14,800 feet high. The city is situated in the Matlazinco Valley where the Matlazintli tribe, who used to inhabit this region, fished in the lagoons and the Lerma River.
Some historians say that Toluca was founded on March 19th, 1522 by Christian missionaries. Toluca is a rich and diverse territory thanks to its location in the center of the country, where the ground is fertile, the landscapes are stunning and the history and traditions of the people are fascinating.
Description
Toluca is the highest city in Mexico, located 8,800 feet above sea level and it has an average temperature of around 55.4 degrees Fahrenheit, making for a generally cold and dry climate. Despite the weather, Toluca is a fantastic city to stroll around and enjoy the many restaurants, bars, discos, museums, markets, hotels, zoo and large recreational parks.
Toluca is often referred to as ''La Bella'' (the beautiful one) primarily because of its French and neoclassical architectural style, seen predominantly in the city houses. Modernity and history converge here resulting in a fantastic blend of industrial buildings intertwined with relics of a time gone by. Buildings such as the Cathedral and Los Portales are considered two of the most important artistic expressions of colonial times and should definitely be on your list of places to visit. Toluca provides its visitors with the ideal environment to enjoy so many different activities, from watching a beautiful sunset from the Mirador (lookout point) to admiring the architectural beauty of the city's stunning buildings, and so much more.
Toluca has several beautiful buildings to explore that include fantastic examples of baroque, neoclassical, modernist and contemporary architecture. The city attracts all types of visitors, from business people to vacationers and has an impressive hotel infrastructure ranging from budget hostels to luxury hotels. Toluca is one of the most important industrial centers in Mexico, and it serves as the headquarters for many of the most important factories in the country that export their products around the world. Some of the biggest companies in Toluca are Chrysler, Nestle, General Motors, Bimbo and the Cuauhtemoc brewery, who all represent an important source of employment and income for the people of Toluca.
Art and Culture
The people of Toluca appreciate how fortunate they are to live in a city so rich in art and culture, with exquisite regional gastronomy and steeped in a colorful history. The mix of indigenous tribes in the Matlazinco Valley, such as the Matlazincoes, Toltecs, Mexicas and Otomies, resulted in the fusion of different cultures and traditions, which led to the wonderful vibrant style of today's western-central Mexico.
Toluca boasts a great deal of cultural and folkloric diversity which can be appreciated in each one of its traditional festivities, such as the traditional and very solemn ''Procession of Silence'' that takes place every Good Friday, when all the Catholic congregation from Toluca and the surrounding area get together in the center of the city to express their respect and devotion for Jesus Christ. The Holy Week and Lent are celebrated and venerated in a similar way. When it comes to art and culture, Toluca has the second most number of museums in the country, some of which are located in the Mexiquense Cultural Center. Toluca also features a Villa Charra (a place for rodeos) where visitors can discover the folklore of the region and visit several art galleries.
Today, Toluca is experiencing rapid growth in urban development thanks to its industrial economy. One thing is for sure, with the amount of activities on offer you will never get bored in Toluca. Take the time to discover the history, culture, gastronomy and stunning landscapes that all add up to make Toluca one of the most amazing Mexican destinations to visit for either business or pleasure.