Happy TravellerWelcome to León de Los Aldama, the largest city in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico. With a population of over 1.7 million people, León is a bustling metropolis that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and modern amenities. Known as the Lion of the Aldama, this city is famous for its leather industry, which produces high-quality shoes, boots, belts, jackets, and other leather accessories that are sold both nationally and internationally. In addition to its thriving leather industry, León is also home to a first-class hotel industry, making it an important commercial center in Mexico with numerous options for entertainment, gastronomy, leisure activities, arts, and recreation. Here’s everything you need to know about this vibrant city.
León is located in the macroregion of Bajío within the Central Mexican Plateau. The city has a humid subtropical climate with summer rainfall that closely borders on a semi-arid climate. The average annual temperature is 19.9 °C (67.8 °F), with the warmest month being May and the coolest month being January. The city receives an average of 681 mm (26.8 in) of precipitation annually, which mainly occurs during the summer and early autumn. Snowfall is extremely rare.
León has a rich history that dates back to the pre-classic Mesoamerican period. The area is home to ten distinct archeological zones, most of which are identified with the Chupícuaro culture. By the Classic period, the area was under Teotihuacan and Toltec influence. In the 13th century, the Chichimecas, mostly of the Guamare and Guachichil subgroups, overran the area, migrating from an area of what is now San Luis Potosí. They remained through the Colonial period. In 1575, Juan Bautista de Orozco founded the village of León, creating its first town council and laying out its initial streets. In 1580, it attained the rank of alcadía mayor, meaning it had governing authority of much of the land and smaller towns surrounding it from the Sierra de Comanja to the Lerma River. Today, visitors can explore the city’s rich history by visiting its many museums, galleries, and historic landmarks.
León is well known for its leather and footwear industry, which accounts for about 70 percent of all shoes made in Mexico. In addition to the leather works, there are also industrial chemical, plastic, polymer, transportation, and container companies. The presence of the automotive industry includes a General Motors plant in the nearby municipality of Silao. In the financial sector, León is home to the national headquarters of Banco del Bajío, owned by Salvador Oñate, and to the regional headquarters of Banamex and HSBC, among other banks. The city also has a newly built customs facility within GTO Inland Ports premises that speeds up the logistics process, and a rail container yard that offers inter-modal services for rail transportation.
León is also a city that values sustainability and environmentalism. It is considered one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Mexico and has a high number of cyclists, in part because of integrating a network of bike lanes into the SIT system. In March 2012, it received an award as City Water Champion, mainly due to great progress in the areas of sanitation, wastewater reuse, and energy cogeneration from biogas.
When it comes to entertainment, León has something for everyone. The Poliforum hosts trade fairs throughout the year, including the Sapica (Shoe Fair) and ANPIC (suppliers of the shoe industry). The city also has a vibrant nightlife scene, with numerous bars, clubs, and restaurants that cater to all tastes and budgets. For those who prefer a more cultural experience, León has a thriving arts scene, with galleries, museums, and theaters that showcase the city’s rich history and contemporary culture.
In conclusion, León de Los Aldama is a city that offers visitors a unique blend of history, culture, and modern amenities. Whether you’re interested in exploring the city’s rich history, indulging in its world-famous leather industry, or simply enjoying its vibrant nightlife and cultural scene, León has something for everyone. So why not add this enchanting destination to your travel bucket list today?
