“Water place on high” that is what Atizapán means. Ciudad López Mateos stands before us. It is commonly known as Atizapán. This city is located in the State of Mexico. It serves as the municipal seat for Atizapán de Zaragoza.
Once called San Francisco Atizapán its name changed. The city was renamed to honor President Adolfo López Mateos. He was born here. Yet, many still call it Atizapán today.
Ciudad López Mateos is the seventh-largest city in the state. The 2010 census counted 489160 inhabitants. It is part of Greater Mexico City. Upscale neighborhoods like Zona Esmeralda are here.
Adolfo López Mateos was from here. A mausoleum was built downtown. It holds his remains.
Three rivers cross Atizapán. These are Tlalnepantla River, San Javier River and Moritas River. All are located north of the city.
The Madin Dam sits near Naucalpan. It provides water to northwest Greater Mexico City. Streams like “La Bolsa” also run through Atizapán.
Biznaga Hill is one of its main elevations. Atlaco Hill is another. La Condesa Hill and Grande Hill are also key elevations.
Buses connect Ciudad López Mateos to Mexico City. They travel to the north center and southwest.
In the early 20th century a train line ended here. It was called “Montealto”.
An airport is located in the north. However it sees minimal use. No airlines operate from there.
A highway connects Ciudad López Mateos to Toluca. It also connects to Interlomas, Santa Fe and Herradura. The highway further links to the Mexico-Querétaro highway.
The “Viaducto Bicentenario” connects to inner Mexico City. It is a second-floor highway. This project commemorated Mexico’s independence bicentennial.
Escuela Sierra Nevada Esmeralda has a campus here. It serves preschool and elementary students.
Green Hills School South Campus is also in Atizapán.
So while officially named Ciudad López Mateos remember its roots. Remember its other name Atizapán. It is a city of rivers hills and history. It is a place connected to the larger world. It’s a place where the past and present intertwine.