Axochiapan is a city in the Mexican state of Morelos. It stands at ,<!--18°30’ N. and 98°45’ W., --> at a mean height of above sea level. It is surrounded by the State of Puebla to the east and south, Jonacatepec to the north, and Tepalcingo to the west.
The city serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of the same name. The municipality reported 35,689 inhabitants in the year 2015 census. In 2020 the municipality of Axochiapan had 39,174 inhabitants and the city of Axochiapan had 19,085.
Etymology & Shield
The origin of Axochiapan's name comes from "axochi-tl", which means “water flower or water lily”. This comes from the many white lilies that form like carpets on the ponds and lakes in the area. The shield's appearance is due to the water lilies that are prevalent in the area. Its peeking out of the water conveys how, just like in real life, they rapidly grow and reproduce in water, particularly during the month of August.
Axochiapan belonged to the municipality of Jonacatepec from 1824 to 1869. Later, the State of Morelos was created, which also created the municipality of Tetelilla. From 1869 to 1898, Axochiapan belonged to Tetelilla until it finally became its own municipality on November 9, 1898, covering territory that previously belonged to Tetelilla (with exception to a city which was integrated with Jonacatepec). Axochiapan's first town hall was installed and the town's first mayor, Luis G. Rebolledo, assumed office at that time. The Secretary of Health reported that 243 homes were destroyed and 1,161 were damaged in the municipality.
Felix Sanchez Espinoza of Juntos Haremos Historia (Together we will make history coalition) was elected Presidente Municipal (mayor) on July 1, 2018.
While the state of Morelos reported 209 cases and 28 deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico, as of April 27, 2020, no cases were reported in Axochiapan. Schools and many businesses were closed from mid March until June 1. On April 1, members of the community threatened to burn the hospital if patients with COVID-19 were treated there; on May 5, one of the leaders died from COVID-19. Two people died of COVID-19 on June 6 and authorities delivered the bodies to the wrong families, but the mistake was discovered before cremation. One hundred thirty-eight cases were reported in the municipality on December 27, 2020. The hospital dedicated to the care of serious COVID-19 cases reached 100% capacity on January 15, 2021. Vaccinations for senior citizens (60+) are scheduled to begin on March 12, 2021.
Fifteen people died in Axochiapan, Jantetelco, and Tepalcingo due to adulterated alcohol on Mother's Day. Members of the community burned the house that had sold the adulterated alcohol; no one was inside at the time. The alcohol caused 18 deaths in Axochiapan and 11 others in nearby municipalities. The state office of DIF sent food and water to vulnerable groups of people in eight municipalities including Axochiapan on May 26.
Communities
Axochiapan is the municipal seat. It has a population of 19,085 It is from Cuernavaca and from Mexico City.
Telixtac has a population of 5,534 It is 8 km from Axochiapan.
Atlacahualoya has a population of 3,818 It is 7 km from Axochiapan.
Quebrantadero has a population of 2,462 It is 5 km from Axochiapan.
Marcelino Rodriguez (San Ignacio) has a population of 2,223 It is 10 km from Axochiapan.
Tlalayo has a population of 807 It is 6 km from Axochiapan.
Connections to the Mexican Revolution
Axochiapan was not untouched during the Mexican Revolution. Members from the Liberation Army of the South such as Alejandro Casales, Joaquín Caamaño, Marcelino Rodríguez, Marcelino Vergara, Benigno Abundes, and José Palma had connections to the city. are used for farming and are used for ranching.