Ciudad Victoria () (English: Victoria City) is the seat of the Municipality of Victoria, and the capital of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. It is located in the northeast of Mexico at the foot of the Sierra Madre Oriental. It borders the municipality of Güémez to the north, Llera to the south, Casas Municipality to the east, and the municipality of Jaumave to the west. The city is located from Monterrey and from the US - Mexico border. Ciudad Victoria is named after the first president of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria.

In 1825 Ciudad Victoria became the state capital. It is home to higher education institutions such as the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas and the Technological Institute of Ciudad Victoria. General Pedro José Méndez International Airport is located on the outskirts of the city. As a state bureaucratic centre, it is the seat of the three political powers and has sites of tourist and cultural interest.

Pre-foundation

thumb|277x277px|[[Viceroyalty of New Spain]]

The Viceroy of New Spain, Juan Francisco Güémez and Horcasitas on Saturday, September 3, 1746, founded a colony in the Seno Mexicano (West coast of the Gulf of Mexico), dismembering the New Kingdom of León. Two years later, on Wednesday December 25, 1748, José de Escandon and Helguera founded Villa de Llera, part of the Late Colonization of New Santander, named after Santander, the capital of Cantabria, Spain. seat of the Three Powers and Capital of the State, approving the name of Victoria, in honour of the first President of Mexico, Guadalupe Victoria. "The Capitality Decree, Title of City and Name" is published by mandate of the First Congress, signed and sealed by Enrique Camilo Suárez, Vice Governor of Tamaulipas.

On September 15, 1910, the monument to the Heroes of Independence was inaugurated, in the "Plaza Colón" in front of the railway station "La Recoletta". In 1917 General Alberto Carrera Torres was shot at the wall of the Municipal Pantheon, having been tried by an illegal War Council; he is buried in the French Pantheon. In 1923 General César López de Lara took the governorship of the state of Tamaulipas.

The Victorense Casino AC, formerly known as the social and mutualist centre of the city, was founded in 1929. The urban and architectural structure of the city is defined in its buildings, buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The creation of the Federal Highway 85 and other road works connect the capital with the Mexico–U.S. border and the centre of the country. In 1939 Eng. Marte R. Gómez inaugurated the Olympic-type Stadium that nowadays bears his name and where the team plays Correcaminos Football Club. In 1941 the "El Petaqueño" Airport, now called General Pedro José Méndez International Airport, began operations.

In 1951 the new Government Palace was inaugurated, built in the building where the Old Theatre "Casino" or "Juárez" was, the new "Juárez" theatre was inaugurated in 1957; The government tower known as "Crystal Tower" exists in the capital since 1980.

21st century

left|thumb|281x281px|Government complex built in 2010

The early morning of July 1, 2010, the city was hit by Hurricane Alex whose eye passed only a few kilometres from Ciudad Victoria, causing destruction in public lighting, billboards, traffic lights and an infinity of trees, as well as suspension of energy services electricity and drinking water for more than 24 hours.

In 2010, the Governmental Complex "Bicentennial Park" came into operation, which today concentrates most of the government apparatus of the state of Tamaulipas. In 2016, the restoration of the old Casa Filizola, now the Pinacoteca Tamaulipas and the main railway station of the capital, began. The coat of arms has the following characteristics: On the side the map of the state that represents that Victoria is the capital, the balance, the sword and the parchment represent the three powers; the book symbolizes education and the torch the light of freedom, the date is the historical antecedent of the foundation, the landscape symbolizes the geographic environment of the region upon the arrival of the founders, henequen plants represent agricultural production. The current governor is Francisco Javier García Cabeza de Vaca, of the National Action Party, for the 2016-2022 administration.

thumb|227x227px|Building of the City Council of Ciudad Victoria

The municipality is administered by the Ciudad Victoria City Council, comprised by the Municipal President, being the holder María del Pilar Gómez Leal, of the National Action Party as Substitute Municipal President of Victoria for the administration 2018-2021 since October 2, 2020.

It consists of two syndics, fourteen council members and delegates. Among the tasks of the municipal administration are: The Municipal Statistical Register, civil protection, health, alcoholic beverages regulations, drinking water services, drainage and sewerage, as well as public safety, traffic and roads. belongs to the 15th electoral district of the state and fifth federally of the state of Tamaulipas. The municipality of Victoria concentrates 94.7% of the population in its municipal seat, the rest is considered rural and has experienced a growth rate of 2.04%.

left|thumb|182x182px|Marginalized area of Ciudad Victoria

According to the INEGI intercensal survey, in 2015, 52% of the population of Ciudad Victoria were women and the population density was 211 people per square kilometre.

Religion

As for religion, 90% of its population declares itself Christian Catholic, while 5% Christian Protestants, 2% Jews, and 3% other religion or none being the most Catholic city of State. On December 12, various parties and events are held in the Sanctuary in honour of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the celebration includes dances of matachines, folk verbena and pyrotechnic games.

thumb|Gymnasium of La Salle University

The BPCE library "Marte R. Gómez" is the most well-known library in the centre of the city. The state capital has several libraries, among which are: The Adaberto J. Arguelles Municipal Public Library and Ernesto Higuera, the Public Library Tamaulipas Municipal Cultural Centre, the Municipal Public Library Youth Coexistence Centre 2, the Municipal Public Library of Ciudad Victoria, the Municipal Public Library FOVISSSTE-SEP, in addition to the Municipal Public Library Tamaulipas Regional History Museum and the Paul Harris Municipal Public Library.

Higher education

The city is the main headquarters of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas (UAT), founded in 1950, a public institution with more than 40,000 students in upper secondary, higher and postgraduate levels.

In 2007, the Polytechnic University of Victoria (UPV) was inaugurated, part of the Technological and Polytechnic Universities of Mexico, located within the TECNOTAM Scientific and Technological Park. It offers engineering, postgraduate and distance education.

The Centre for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) of the National Polytechnic Institute has an Information Technology laboratory in its Tamaulipas unit, within the TECNOTAM Park.

Among the schools of teacher training has: The Benemérita Normalized Federalized School of Tamaulipas (BENFT), the Normal School of Tamaulipas (ESNT) and the Normal School of Educators (ENFE).

Other institutions of higher education are: The University of the Valley of Mexico (UVM), the Vizacaya University of the Americas, are universities in the private sector. There are also the Institute of Sciences and Higher Studies of Tamaulipas (ICEST), the National Pedagogical University (Mexico) (UPN), the University of North Tamaulipas (UNT), the Centre for University Studies (CEU).

The Miguel Aleman University is a private institution of superior and middle level that was established in the state capital in September 2005 after twenty-five years since its founding in 1981, of philanthropic and humanitarian principles offering university studies in accounting, economic areas, social, and educational.

The main avenues and most of the traffic are Av. Alberto Carrera Torres, Francisco I. Madero Ave., Emilio Portes Gil Boulevard, Blvr. Adolfo López Mateos, Av. Rotaria, Av. Carlos Adrián Aviles, Calzada Gral. Luis Caballero, Práxedis Balboa Boulevard, as well as the road to Soto la Marina. The federal highways Mexico 81 and Mexico 80 connect with Altamira, Tampico and Madero. The city also has pedestrian bridges, six bridges for cars that cross the San Marcos River and a road hump to the west of the city.

There is an airport serving the city, Ciudad Victoria International Airport, which, as of 2021, was being served by Aeromar on the passenger airline side and Aeronaves TSM on the cargo airline side.

Local media

The city has telegraph offices (which provide banking services, collection of third parties, telegram services, money transfer services) and post offices to send and receive parcels, letters and postcards, these are operated by the Mexican Post Office.

In Ciudad Victoria, the analogue blackout was made on December 31, 2015. The open digital terrestrial television signals offered are: XHCTVI-TDT Imagen Television, XHCVT-TDT Azteca Uno and ADN 40, XHCVI-TDT Nueve, XHCDT-TDT Azteca 7, XHTK-TDT Las Estrellas, XHUT-TDT Canal 5 and XHVTU-TDT that includes the signals of Multimedios Television, Milenio Televisión, TeleRitmo and 52MX.

The AM and FM radio stations in the city include: XEVIC-AM and XHVIC-FM Radio Tamaulipas, owned by the State Government; XHUNI-FM Radio UAT, operated by the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas; XHLRS-FM La Lupe; XETAM-AM and FM Romantica, XHHP-FM the hottest, XHGW-FM Imagen Radio, XHVIR-FM The Cotorra, XHRPV-FM The Victoria V, XHBJ-FM Exa FM.

The written or printed press is covered by some local and regional media such as: The Journal of Ciudad Victoria, which registered an average circulation of 14,270 daily copies in 2014. The "Mercurio" of Tamaulipas, a newspaper that sold an average circulation in 2014 of 19,615 daily copies and 21,286 copies.

Culture

Ciudad Victoria has several tourist spots such as museums, zoological parks, green and natural areas.

"Tamatán" Zoo

thumb|Recreative zone inside Sporting Unit Siglo XXI in Ciudad Victoria

A zoo that has areas dedicated to the species of the animal world. With a variety of species and even educational talks, it is an important part of tourism in the capital, a zoo designed to encourage conservation and respect for nature. Organized in 5 regions, it presents the different species in open spaces. Surrounded by a naturalistic environment, with vegetation, rocks and waterfalls.

21st Century Cultural and Recreational Park

It has an area dedicated to games for children, a football field, several swimming pools. In this space is the Planetarium and the Tamux Museum, as well as the Botanical Garden and a green area known as the Urban Forest for walking and jogging.

Electric infrastructure

The state capital has 97.50% of its population with access to electricity, being almost on par with the national average in the area. The street lighting network comprises a total of 29, 100 luminaries (as of October 2016) of which only 10, 800 are in operation, the rest are out of service. The service oversees the Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) Gulf Centre Division.

Health

Health coverage is covered by state institutions, Popular Insurance and Mexican Social Security Institute. It is the second city in the state in medical care by inhabitants, and the population that does not have immediate access to health services is 11.8%. The state of Tamaulipas has health services, both public and private, among which are:

left|thumb|291x291px|Dr. Norberto Treviño Zapata General Hospital

General Victoria Hospital. Provides health services in the downtown area of Tamaulipas and medical care around Sanitary Jurisdiction No. 1; Children's Hospital of Ciudad Victoria; Victoria Civil Hospital; High Specialty Regional Hospital of Ciudad Victoria; which provides professional, surgical and nursing services in several specialties; La Salle Hospital Ciudad Victoria; North Medical Clinic; Clinic Hospital of the Institute of Security and Social Services of State Workers; General Hospital of Zone No. 1 (IMSS) Medical Educational Unit of "Adolfo López Mateos"; Family Medicine Unit No. 67 (IMSS) San Luisito.

Sports

thumb|[[Estadio Marte R. Gómez|Marte R. Gomez Stadium]]

In Ciudad Victoria there is a varied sporting activity; In the field of professional football, the team of the Correcaminos of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas stands out and carries out its official matches at the Marte R. Gómez Stadium, located in the city centre, with a capacity to house 10,520 people and the University Stadium Eugenio Alvizo Porras, located in the Victoria University Centre of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas.

In the sports unit Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez there are facilities for practicing football, volleyball and indoor gymnasium for basketball. This sports complex also houses a baseball stadium.

The Sports Centre of Ciudad Victoria, with the name of "Américo Villareal Guerra", is a sports centre that has spaces for gymnastics, fencing, weightlifting, diving, swimming, athletics, boxing, judo, archery and basketball, and It is focused to be used mainly by high performance athletes with the intention of representing the state of Tamaulipas in national sporting events.

Geography

center|thumb|1285x1285px|Panoramic from a viewpoint on a hill of the [[Sierra Madre Oriental in the Military Field of the 77th Infantry Battalion in Ciudad Victoria]]

Victoria is located above sea level and at coordinates just north of the Tropic of Cancer. The city is in a valley between two mountain ranges: the Sierra Madre Oriental to the west and the Sierra de Tamaulipas to the east.

Climate

Ciudad Victoria has a climate on the border of humid subtropical (Köppen Cfa/Cwa) and hot semi-arid (BSh). Its weather is characterised by short warm winters and long hot to sweltering summers. Temperatures rarely drop below — the lowest recorded temperature was and the hottest was , one of the highest temperatures ever recorded in Mexico. The average annual rainfall is , of which five-sixths () falls between May and October, although there is a drying trend in the months of July and August. The moderate elevation adds to overall rainfall pattern, which is also influenced by exceptionally heavy rains brought by occasional North Atlantic tropical cyclones.

Sister cities

The strategic alliances that are built with cities in the country and the United States contribute to the economic development of the capital, including twinning of the following:

  • Matamoros, Mexico
  • Reynosa, Mexico
  • Tampico, Mexico
  • Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
  • Ciudad Mante, Mexico
  • Monterrey, Nuevo León
  • Chilpancingo, Guerrero
  • McAllen, Texas (2008)
  • San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí (2010)
  • Mazatlán, Sinaloa (2014)

Notable people

  • Emilio Portes Gil, former governor of the state of Tamaulipas and former president of Mexico
  • Arleth Terán, Mexican television actress
  • Carlos Peña Rodríguez, professional football player
  • Alan Pulido Izaguirre, professional football player
  • Oscar Mascorro, professional footballer
  • José Sulaimán, businessman and boxer
  • Rosemary Barkett, Federal Judge of the United States of America Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • Rodolfo Torre Cantu, doctor and Mexican politician, former candidate for Governor of Tamaulipas.
  • Ismael Valdez, Major League Baseball player, TV Personality and local entrepreneur.

References

Further reading

  • Tamaulipas Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México
  • Dirección de Tecnología
  • Instituto Tecnológico de Ciudad Victoria
  • Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas