Bavispe

Bavispe is a small town and a municipality in the northeast part of the Mexican state of Sonora.

Geography

Location

The municipality is located in the northeast of the state at 30°28′N 108°56′W / 30.467°N 108.933°W / 30.467; -108.933. The elevation of the administrative seat is 902 meters above sea level. It has boundaries with the following municipalities: in the north with

Most of the area is mountainous, since it lies on the west side of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Due to the elevation the average annual temperature is 20.8°C.[1]

Rivers

The only river of any importance is the

Population

The municipal population in 2005 was 1,263, a drop from the 1,377 recorded in 2000. The municipal seat had a population of 715 in 2000.

Etymology

The land now occupied by the municipality was once inhabited by the Opata tribe, from which came the name. Bavispe is derived from the word "Bavipa", which means "place where the river changes direction".^[1]

History

Bavispe was founded in 1645, by the

On May 2, 1887, a strong earthquake, felt as far north as Central Arizona, reduced the church of San Miguel de Bavispe to a crumbled wreck and left every home in the village uninhabitable. A new modern church was built on the same site. It acquired municipal status in 1931.

Economy

The population is highly dependent on agriculture and cattle raising. Grasses are grown as cattle fodder. Beans and corn are also grown for subsistence. The cattle herd is sizable with over 11,000 head counted in 2000.

Attractions

Part of

Sources consulted

• Enciclopedia de los Municipios de Mexico
• INEGI National Institute of Statistic

External links

• Bavispe, Ayuntamiento Digital (Official Website of Bavispe, Sonora)
• The lost churches of Sonora
• Sierra Alta Route