Leon de los Aldama

León de los Aldama, known simply as León, is a Mexican city, head of the municipality of León, located in the state of Guanajuato. It is part of the León metropolitan area, which in 2020 had 2,139,484 inhabitants; while the city of León had 1 579 803 inhabitants, which makes it the most populous town in the state. It is part of the seventh most populous metropolitan area in the country and the municipality to which it belongs is the third most populous in Mexico. It is located 384 km from the country's capital, Mexico City.

The city is part of the León Metropolitan Area, although the cities that make up the León metropolitan area are not yet fully together, the largest economy is concentrated in León (Silao de la Victoria, San Francisco del Rincón, Purísima del Rincón), makes up the seventh largest metropolis in the country and the largest in the Bajío macro-region, with just over 2,170,000 inhabitants.

It was founded on January 20, 1576 by Martín Enríquez de Almansa under the name Villa de León, it received its current name in 1830 in honor of the insurgents Juan Aldama and Ignacio Aldama, who participated in the Mexican War of Independence. Since the 40s of the XX century, the economy of the The city has basically revolved around the production chain of leather, footwear, supplies and leather goods, although by the beginning of the XXI century it began to reorient its economy to services and the automotive industry.

The city of León is consolidating other economic vocations: highly specialized and diagnostic health care, higher education and research, as well as business tourism. Despite the fact that it is not the political capital of the state It is considered the economic, social, commercial and service capital.

In 2011, it was awarded an honorable mention in the Sustainable Transport Award 2011 along with Guangzhou, China, beating San Francisco, USA and Zurich, Switzerland. Latin America with the largest network of cycle lanes. According to the study Housing of the Future by the British newspaper Financial Times.

León occupies the first position in Latin America in the division of medium-sized cities with the best cost and services (price-quality), in addition to a high average quality of life. The northern region of the city known as the “Golden Zone" or simply as "Northern Zone" it is the most remarkable region of the city with a great development and standard of living. As well as it has restaurants, business class hotels, luxury car agencies, shopping centers, luxury residential and the city's metropolitan park.

In March 2012, it received an award as Champion City of Water, along with Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rotterdam, the Netherlands and Lyon, France, among other places, which was awarded by the World Water Council in Marseille, France, mainly for demonstrating greater progress in the areas of sanitation and reuse of wastewater and cogeneration of energy from biogas.

In February 2018, León was considered one of the 100 most renewable cities in the world, according to the result of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), published by Bloomberg. The city of León stands out because 76% of the energy used in the region is renewable. The results of the CDP mention the following data; The city uses 2.5% solar energy, 73.86% geothermal and 23.64% gas. Another peculiarity is that it is the only Mexican city on this list.

Symbols

Flag

León is the first Guanajuato municipality to officially adopt a municipal flag.

The flag is an obscure green canvas that has right to the center the municipal shield, the government version and recognized by the town hall of the flag, is a green field with a border in gold, the city's shield to the center of the flag with the motto of the city.

Shield

The Shield of Lion's weapons is blasphemed like this: The shield symbolizing the municipality was adopted in the last centuryXX.; it contains on its top a Torreon which is the symbol of the city. It is divided into four barracks, in the first one appears San Sebastián Mártir, patron saint of the city, whose festival is celebrated on the same day that Leon was founded (20 January). The second barracks has a lion, symbol of the former Kingdom of Leon in Spain, where the name of the municipality was taken. In the third barracks is the coat of arms of the Virrey, Don Martín Enríquez de Almanza, to whom the commandment is due for Leon to be founded in 1576. The fourth and last barracks is a bread and bees on the tip, which means the laboriousness of its population. At the bottom there is a tape with the motto of the city.

Motto

History

In the León area there are ten well-differentiated archaeological zones, dating from the Mesoamerican pre-classic period. Most of these 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 from the Guamare and Guachichil subgroups, invaded the area, migrating from an area of what is now San Luis Potosí. They remained through the colonial period.

In 1530, Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán arrived with allied Tarascan Indians in the area, naming it Nuestra Señora. The haciendas were granted by the governor of Nueva Galicia Francisco Vásquez de Coronado to the Spaniards Rodrigo de Vázquez and Juan de Jasso. The Spanish introduced agriculture and ranching here around 1546, but these settlers were under constant threat from the Chichimecas, who recognized the Spanish as invaders. These colonists requested help from the viceregal authorities of Mexico City.

In response, Viceroy Martín Enríquez de Almanza ordered the founding of a city here, under the name of León, in 1575. To carry out the order, Juan Bautista de Orozco founded the town of León on January 20, 1576, creating its first council. and layout of its initial streets. In 1580, he achieved the rank of "alcadía mayor," which means that he has governing authority over much of the land and smaller towns that surround it from the Sierra de Comanja to the river. lerma. For example, two other towns founded in the area were San Miguel and Coecillo. In San Miguel the Spanish settled the Otomi peoples and in Coecillo the Purépechas, Mexicas and Chichimecas settled who did not oppose Spanish rule. As the population of the area grew, several municipalities would eventually break away, such as San Francisco del Rincón, Purísima del Rincón (Purísima Concepción), Cd. Manuel Doblado (San Pedro Piedra Gorda), Huanímaro, Abasolo, Cuerámaro and Pénjamo.

In 1582, Father Espino established the first hospital in San Cosme y San Damián.

The Jesuits arrived in León in 1731, founding the "Compañía Vieja" which is now the site of the Temple of the Immaculate. They also built the Temple of the New Company, which would become the cathedral, however they never finished it since they were expelled from Mexico in 1767. On July 2, 1732, an image of Our Holy Mother of Light arrived. She would later be declared patron saint of the city, in 1849.

The population of the area suffered epidemics in 1643, droughts in 1630 and 1712-1714, famines in 1714 and 1786, and floods in 1637, 1749, 1762, and 1803.

The independentist forces under the command of José Rafael de Iriarte arrived in the town on October 4, 1810. However, two months later the royalist forces under the command of Félix Calleja retook the town, facing reprisals from the rebel supporters. Some 2,000 rebels on horseback attacked the town but were repelled by Count Pérez. Galvez. Royalist forces were attacked here in 1817 by Francisco Javier Mina without success. The town remained in royalist hands until the end of the Mexican War of Independence, when Agustín de Iturbide arrived. The town did not celebrate its first Grito de Dolores on the occasion of independence until 1825. In 1827 it became one of four "departamentos" of the newly created state of Guanajuato, and in 1830 it obtained the status of city.

In 1840 Father Ignacio Aguado founded the Colegio de San Francisco de Sales and in 1844 the Colegio de La Madre Santísima was founded.

During the War of La Reforma, the city changed hands several times between liberal and conservative forces between 1858 and 1860. The most notable battle of that war here was when General José Iniesta attacked the city on February 18, 1859. In that same year, León even separated for a time from the rest of the state of Guanajuato.

In 1862 the bishopric of León was founded, separating from the bishopric of Michoacán the city of León and nine other municipalities such as Irapuato, Guanajuato and Dolores Hidalgo. Monsignor Diez de Sollano inaugurated the Conciliar Seminary in 1864. This bishop consecrated the Basilica Cathedral in 1866, although it was not completed, giving a permanent home to the image of the Virgin of Light.

From 1863 to 1866, the French occupied León during the French Intervention, with the visit of Emperor Maximilian to the city in 1864. His arrival was highly celebrated here, with fireworks and a hot air balloon exhibition organized by the Alemán brothers. However, when the liberal forces finally gained permanent control of the town, two incidents occurred. On September 30, 1867, Colonel Cecilio Delgado Estrada ordered his men to shoot over the heads of the people who were praying in the streets, causing some injuries. Another such incident occurred in 1877. The second was more permanent. The Liberals dismantled the Santos Pedro y Pablo convent and college, turning it into offices for the city government. It remains so to this day.

On January 2, 1946, a mob gathered in the square in front of the municipal palace to protest the elections considered illegitimate. These protesters were fired upon, killing many. This square has been named "Plaza de los Mártires" in his honor.

Geography

The city is located in the north of the state of Guanajuato, at -101° 41' west longitude and 21° north latitude; at an altitude of 1,798 m s. no. m. The municipal area covers 1,183.20 km², equivalent to 3.87% of the total area of the state of Guanajuato. The municipality limits to the north with San Felipe; to the east with Guanajuato and Silao; to the south with Silao, Romita, and San Francisco del Rincón; and to the west with Purísima del Rincón and the State of Jalisco.

The city of León is divided into 7 Delegations:

1. Gordo Hill

2. coecillo

3. San Miguel

4. From Carmen

5. Hill of Jerez

6. Saint John Bosco

7. The jewerly

Climate

According to the Köppen climate classification, the city of León has a temperate climate with the subtropical subhumid variant with summer rains: Cwa (in the modification made by García ^{[which one? ]} is called semi-warm sub-humid(A)C(wo)). It has an average annual temperature of 19.6 °C, reaching an average maximum of 31.5 °C in May and an average minimum of 7.2 °C in January, with an 8 °C difference between the average daily temperatures of the warmest month and the hottest month. cold. Far from the microclimate of the city, temperatures in the valley tend to be more extreme, increasing the maximum by 2 °C and decreasing the minimum by 3 °C. Meanwhile, in the communities located in the Sierra de Lobos (north of the city) they usually have average temperatures of 16 °C. It is in the Sierra de Lobos where the climate is considered temperate sub-humid, Cwb according to the Köppen classification. The seasons of the year, as in a large part of central Mexico, have a lag with respect to what is considered common, since the warmest months are in the spring, that is, in April, May and June, while the months coldest are December, January and February. In this way, March is the only month with intermediate and pleasant temperatures in the first half of the year; while July, August, September, October and November are the months with intermediate and pleasant temperatures in the second half of the year, in addition to being accompanied by the highest concentration of rainfall in the year.

The average annual precipitation is 650 mm, concentrated in the summer. Rainfall begins in mid-May and ends in October, accompanied by electrical storms in half the cases, while the dry season begins in November and ends at the beginning of May; It has an average of 73 days of rain per year. In January it is common for some rainfall to occur, especially in the Sierra de Lobos area, traditionally called "cabañuelas"; and on some occasions, combined with the low temperatures of the time, they usually lead to light snowfalls that have eventually reached the urban area. There is a discrepancy in various authors in classifying the valley of the city of León as semi-arid or sub-humid, since it would require an average annual rainfall greater than the range between 650 mm and 670 mm to be considered sub-humid, depending on the data they provide. the different weather stations. The truth is that the valley where the city of León is located oscillates above and below these parameters, depending on the weather seasons and the observation periods, so it can be considered that it is on the limit. A determining factor in the observation periods are the El Niño and La Niña cycles, since the precipitation in the years in which the El Niño phenomenon occurs can exceed 1000 mm per year, while in the case of La Niña it hardly exceeds 300 mm, this is very noticeable in the Río de los Gómez, which crosses the city, and the El Palote container dam, since in El Niño years, the river has a flow that lasts until the season dry, until December, while in La Niña years, the dam containing the river is not able to fill, drying up completely in the dry season. On the other hand, the prevailing winds come from the west in winter, bringing with them some showers in the month of January; from the southeast and southwest in spring with dry and warm air; and from the east - northeast during summer - autumn loaded with humidity and storms.

Average climate parameters of Centro de León
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	30.0	33.0	35.5	37.0	39.5	38.0	34.5	36.0	33.5	37.0	33.0	36.5	39.5
Average temperature (°C)	23.6	25.7	28.2	30.5	32.7	29.9	27.5	27.6	27.1	26.9	25.8	24.0	27.4
Average temperature (°C)	15.7	17.3	19.6	22.1	23.7	23.1	21.3	21.4	21.0	19.7	17.9	16.2	19.9
Temp. medium (°C)	6.7	8.9	11.0	13.8	15.7	16.4	15.2	15.2	14.8	12.5	7.0	6.3	12.5
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	0.0	-1.5	0.0	3.0	8.5	7.0	7.0	8.5	5.0	3.0	1.0	-2.5	−2.5
Rains (mm)	15.1	11.0	5.6	8.1	24.6	107.5	182.6	160.0	111.5	39.3	9.4	6.5	681.2
Rainy days (≥ 0.01 mm)	2.7	1.6	1.3	2.0	4.9	11.6	16.2	13.3	10.3	5.0	1.3	1.4	71.6
Source: SMN Extreme temperatures obtained from the historical record from 1960 to 2010 from the same station.

Average climate parameters of Hacienda Arriba
Month	Ene.	Feb.	Mar.	Open up.	May.	Jun.	Jul.	Ago.	Sep.	Oct.	Nov.	Dec.	Annual
Temp. max. abs. (°C)	31.0	35.5	37.5	38.5	38.5	40.0	35.0	36.5	36.5	33.5	34.5	33.0	40.0
Average temperature (°C)	23.2	25.1	28.2	30.5	31.5	29.2	26.8	26.7	26.3	26.1	25.2	23.5	26.9
Average temperature (°C)	13.4	14.8	17.4	19.7	21.5	21.2	19.8	19.5	19.1	17.6	15.4	13.9	17.8
Temp. medium (°C)	3.5	4.5	6.6	9.0	11.5	13.2	12.7	12.3	11.9	9.0	5.7	4.3	8.7
Temp. min. abs. (°C)	-5.0	-5.5	-1.0	0.5	1.5	4.5	4.5	2.5	-2.0	-0.5	-3.0	-4.0	-5.5
Rains (mm)	16.0	9.4	5.8	11.1	33.3	116.3	146.8	152.8	124.8	48.0	13.0	9.7	687.0
Rainy days (≥ 0.01 mm)	2.1	1.2	0.9	1.7	4.0	10.0	13.2	12.3	9.9	5.2	1.6	1.7	63.8
Source: SMN

Subtropical bush near León.

Vegetation

The natural vegetation is mainly made up of a thorny forest in the valley, being the mesquite (Prosopis laevigata) the main exponent. However, the natural area is practically extinct giving way to agricultural and livestock activities. In the hills around the city there is a subtropical scrubland with species such as the casahuate (Ipomoea arborescens), the varaduz (Eysenhardtia spp.), huizache (Acacia Schaffneri) and other xerophytic species. In the high parts of the mountains to the north of the city there is an oak forest.

Relief

The municipality in its northern part has mountainous foothills belonging to the Sierra de Guanajuato, which locally bears the names of Ibarrilla, Comanja and de Lobos, considered a Natural Ecological Reserve. And the southern part belongs to the region of the fertile valleys of the Bajío.

The most important elevations in the municipality are Cerro del Gigante, with 2,884 ms. no. m. and the Cuatralba table with 2800 m s. no. m. Notable in the city are the hills of Las Hilamas, Cerro Gordo with its Educational Institutions, residential areas and radio communication antennas; and the Cerrito de Jerez, an area inhabited since pre-Hispanic times.

Demographics

According to statistical data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), in 2020 the city of León has a total of 1,579,803 inhabitants, making it the 4th most populous city in Mexico. León alone concentrates 25.6% of the inhabitants of the entire state of Guanajuato.

Graphic of demographic evolution of León de Los Aldama between 1900 and 2020

Population of censuses and counts of the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) from 1900 to 2020.

The Metropolitan Zone of León is the urban region resulting from the conurbation of four municipalities of Guanajuato (León de Los Aldama, Silao de La Victoria, San Francisco del Rincón and Purísima del Rincón). This Metropolitan Area is located in the west of the State of Guanajuato and has 2,139,484 inhabitants, making it the 7th largest metropolitan area in Mexico.

Tourism

León is home to 1 of the 50 wonders of the state of Guanajuato declared in 2017 by Emmanuel Pérez Balderas, from Dolor.

1- Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

Hotel Infrastructure

León's hotel infrastructure is first class, with more than 2,500 rooms in all categories; Likewise, some hotels have ballrooms and conference rooms of various proportions, with excellent options in banquets and related services where they will carry out their social or business events, such as conferences, seminars, congresses, etc.

Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral

The Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral of León, dedicated to the Blessed Mother of Light and patron saint of the Archdiocese, is a religious temple of Catholic worship, located in the historic center. It is the metropolitan seat of the Archdiocese of León.

It has a sober quarry façade, with a single nave with a Latin cross plan and annexed chapels. It has two identical three-section towers that reach 70 m in height. Construction began in the 18th century and the last intervention that gave it its current image dates from 1732. Neoclassical decoration predominates in the building with some Baroque features. Various styles were used in its chapels, giving it an eclectic image: from Neo-Mudejar in the San José Chapel, to the geometric stylizations of Art Deco in the Cristo Rey chapel.

A very interesting detail can be seen on its main façade. It is possible to observe a strip of color that divides the front of the cathedral. From the floor to a height of approximately eight meters, the color of the stone is darker than in the rest of the building. This peculiar detail refers to a very important moment in the history of the city. The construction of the baroque style began in 1746 by the Jesuit order, and at that time it was known as "Templo de La Compañía Nueva" as opposed to the Temple of La Compañía Vieja that was located where the Temple of the Immaculate, on Álvaro Obregón street corner with 20 de enero street. When the Jesuits are expelled in 1767, the work is suspended without being finished. Almost a hundred years would have passed before in 1864, when the city of León was named a bishopric, construction work could be resumed by the architect Luis Long. However, he could not find the same type of stone and as a result, today the transition from Baroque to Neoclassical style can be observed, and that on the front façade a very interesting color variation can be seen in the quarry.

It was consecrated as a cathedral on March 16, 1866.

The festivity of the Blessed Mother of Light, patron saint of the Archdioceses of León, Guanajuato, was celebrated for the first time on May 23, 1849 and currently the day is variable, but always between the months of May and June.

In March 2012, she was visited by Pope Benedict XVI, where she met with the bishops of Latin America.

Expiatory Temple

Main facade of the Expiatory Temple.

Interior of the Expiatory Temple.

Construction began in 1921 at the initiative of the Pbro. Bernardo Chávez, with the contributions granted by the Catholic faithful. Designed by Arch. Luis G. Olvera in neo-Gothic style. The second architect was Carlos Lazo Jr., followed later by José Carlos Ituarte González, being the current architect José María Méndez.

It is a very important tourist attraction in the city, open to the public. In its underground area there is a series of crypts, which are open every day from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Its monumental doors are also worth admiring, with bronze relief sculptures, sculpted by the 3.er architect José Carlos Ituarte González.

On September 18, 2009, in an open ceremony led by the state governor Juan Manuel Oliva Ramírez and the municipal president of León, Vicente Guerrero Reynoso, the inauguration of the Expiatorio Public Plaza Emblem Project was carried out, a public space dedicated to family life.

This project began to take shape in April 2008 with the demolition of the properties surrounding the Expiatory Temple to make way for a new vision of one of the architectural monuments that gives identity to the city.

In 2010 the mayor, Ricardo Sheffield, accompanied by the governor Juan Manuel Oliva, inaugurated the multimedia show called 'Luces de nuestra historia', which consists of projecting light murals in the Expiatory Temple, as well as in another of the most emblematic buildings of the city: the Municipal House. The projections cover the building with images related to the history of the city (such as those of the Bicentennial of Independence and those of the Centennial of the Revolution), images of a religious nature (such as those of the Virgin of Guadalupe or those of San Sebastián, the patron of the city), or images of other typical elements of the city, such as footwear and leather goods. This show, whose works received the name of "Gotas de Sangre" in the Expiatory Temple and "Time Machine" in the Municipal House, was created by Xavier de Richemont, a renowned French artist who has done this type of work in other parts of the world. In 2016 the lighting of the temple was considered one of the best in the world.

The construction of the temple took so long (it was not declared finished until well into the XXI century), that it led to the popular legend that the day its construction was finished would coincide with that of the Last Judgment.

Arch of La Calzada

Arc de la Calzada.

On land donated by Don Francisco Lozornio, a businessman from Leon, stands this arch that originally delimited the end of the city. The current statue of the lion is made of bronze, and together it is the most important symbol of the city.

The original arch was built in 1883 by Civil Engineer Pedro Tejada León in wood and covered in plaster to commemorate 83.er Anniversary of the Independence of Mexico under the name of "Arco De La Paz". The pedestal and vases that finish off the arch were ideas contributed by Teodoro Galván. In 1886 it was made of quarry, being the arch that is preserved to this day.

The Lion of the Arc of La Calzada

The original sculpture of the lion was made with masonry, bricks, rods, mix and modeling with cement, and was placed in the arch in 1943 commissioned by Don Francisco Lozornio Castillo, an industrial benefactor of the city. The work was in charge of the mason of the Expiatory Temple Daniel Herrera Jiménez. This statue was moved to the Benito Juárez Park and later to the entrance of the León Zoo, where it is currently located.

On March 16, 1958, the 10-foot-long bronze lion was added, replacing the original statue. This work was carried out by the sculptor Humberto Peraza Ojeda at a cost of 45 thousand pesos, at the initiative and donation of 10 thousand pesos from the Leonese bullfighter Antonio Velázquez "Corazón De León", being Municipal President Irineo Durán Pérez (1958-1960). There is a tourist bus in the city, which will visit the main tourist spots in León.

Bridge of Love

The Prolongación Calzada Bridge, known as the Bridge of Love, was inaugurated in 2012, for Valentine's Day. It is a characteristic bridge for adopting a theme according to each of the important events and dates that take place in the city, from the Day of Love, the arrival of Club León to the maximum circuit of Mexican soccer, the Rally Mexico, the National Holidays, the International Balloon Festival, are some of the reasons that have adorned the central frame of the Puente Del Amor. It also stands out for having in its structure about 1,500 padlocks, which are placed by mere tradition. It is 225 m long and 4.20 m wide, supported by a 20 m beam base. It has 25 poles with their respective lighting.

It connects the Zona Polifórum corridor with the Historic Center, crossing the Malecón del Río de los Gómez, thus joining the Pedestrian Route.

Peaton Route

You can take a tour of the most emblematic, cultural and tourist places of the city.

The Pedestrian Route runs from Polifórum León to Plaza del Mariachi (to Bar Bum Bum; see (Guanajuato) (broken link available at Internet Archive; see history, first and last version).).

Starts at the Polifórum León:

• Hotel area

Museum of Art and History of Guanajuato.

Continues at the Guanajuato Cultural Forum, with:

• Museum of Art and History of Guanajuato
• Wigberto Jiménez Moreno State Central Library
• Bicentennial Theatre
• Auditorio Mateo Herrera
• Garden of Sculptures

Then, continue with the Calzada de los Héroes, with:

• Bridge of Love
• Paseo de la Calzada
• Monument Torero Rodolfo Gaona
• Taurino Pantheon. Cantina of tradition on the CD. in this place have been personalities like: José Alfredo Jiménez, Lucha Villa, Cantinflas, Pedro Infante, Jorge Negrete, Lola Beltrán, Javier Solís, Vicente Fernández, Luis Miguel, Lucía Méndez, Juan Gabriel, Chavela Vargas, Alejandro Fernández, founded in 1931. The Restaurant Panteón Taurino Museum owes its name to the fondness of its founder Filiberto Guerra the famous "Chato" for the Feast Brava. Its architecture simulates a bullring; its interior is formed by the rue, alleys, press sticks, etc. Its decoration is made of crypts and portraits of bullfighters, which were made by the artist David Rincón Gallardo. The Taurino Pantheon Museum is unique in the world, and therefore its fame has transcended borders. Among his objects worthy of admiration is the head of the bull "Gordito", led by Rodolfo Gaona in Madrid in 1908 and an endless number of articles and photographs that make the Pantheon taurino a unique place in his species.
• Arc de la Calzada

Then go through Madero Street:

• Expiatory Temple
• Restaurants, bars and cafes

And then in the Historic Center:

• Parroquia del Sagrario
• Municipal Presidency
• House of Culture
• Municipal Historical Archive
• Metropolitan Basilica Cathedral
• Restaurants, bars and cafes
• Source of Lions
• Main Garden Kiosk
• Monument to Cri-Cri
• The traditional Post Office building in Mexico

Ends at the old Plaza del Mariachi.

Guanajuato Cultural Forum

Located in an approximate area of 9 hectares, it is a cultural complex, space for entertainment and artistic training that promotes the professionalization of regional artists, the training of audiences, as well as cultural tourism. It is composed of:

• State Library “Wigberto Jiménez Moreno”

State Central Library at the FÓRUM.

With state-of-the-art technology and more than 170,000 volumes, the State Institute of Culture offers the services of this library with a capacity to serve up to 2,400 users a day, through: General reading room, Children's Library and bebeteca, specialized collections and Braille Room

• Museum of Art and History of Guanajuato

The cultural identity, the historical roots, the evolution and the artistic production of Guanajuato, from the prehistory to the present day, are the acquis and vocation of this Museum that has: Sala de historia y arte regional, Sala de sculpture, Sala de exposiciones temporal, Auditorio "Mateo Herrera" and Librería.

• Calzada de las Artes

Common area of the Forum enclosures, made up of fountains and gardens. In this space, free events such as concerts, theatrical works, exhibitions of sculptures are often held, among others.

• Academic Unit for Culture and Art

The scope of the Guanajuato Cultural Forum project complements and unifies its concept with the Academic Unit for the Culture and Arts of León. Adscribed to the University of Guanajuato, offers the programs of: Bachelor of Culture and Art, Diplomas, Workshops and Courses.

• 

  Bicentennial Theatre.
  Bicentennial Theatre

With the premise of being considered the best opera house in Latin America, it is a state-of-the-art venue with capacity to accommodate 1 500 people and where you can enjoy various artistic expressions such as Opera, Music, Theatre and Dance.

Poliforum Leon

Poliforum León. Hotel Marriott.

Originally created as the Centro de Convenciones y Exhibitions de León (CONEXPO) in 1978, it is currently the largest convention center in Latin America, unique with hotel (Marriott special category), here are held annual events of global impact, such as exhibitions of the shoe industry (ANPIC and SAPICA), medical, business, entertainment, cultural events, headquarters of the Rally Guanajuato, public concerts, as well as its integration Poliforum León became the first business center in the country to receive the Professional Conference Organizers Meetings Mexico, (PCO MM), this distinctive makes the enclosure a benchmark of competitiveness and quality in the Meetings Tourism Industry, in Mexico.

Shopping Centers

• Historic Centre: is the first painting of the city, there are restaurants, bars, hotels, banks, cafes, has as attractive the pedestrian route from the square of the mariachi, to the polyphorum, with magnificent views of the Cathedral, Expiatorio temple, municipal president, arch of the road and the polyphorum.
• Plaza Mayor: Located north of the city, it was remodeled to expand its commercial offer. It has shops like FRESKO Comercial Mexicana, Liverpool, El Palacio de Hierro, Sears, Sanborns, C nightmareA, Suburbia, Palacio de Hierro, Zara, Nike, Adidas, Taf, Cinemex and Cinemex Platino, Casino, as well as fast food area, with international cuisine, ice rink, cafes, jeweleries and prestigious boutiques, banks, restaurants, gyms
• 

  Max Center.
  Max Center: is located south of the city, and among its commercial offer are MEGA Comercial Mexicana, Restaurant California, Office Max, Costco, Cinépolis, C nightmareA, Coppel, Galería del Zapato and The Home Depot as anchor stores, in addition to the largest fast food area in the city, boutiques, electronic stores, casino, banks, cafes, restaurants and customer service centers, it has 3 hotels.
• 

  Plaza Altacia.
  Altacia: Fashion Mall of recent creation, is located in the southern part of the city, and stands out for its sustainable and avant-garde architecture, as well as for its commercial offer: Liverpool, H luminous, Forever 21, Cinépolis VIP, Recórcholis, Stradivarius, Sfera food, Studio F, bebe, CγA, Zara (together with all the shops of the Inditex Group), as well as other renowned and prestigious boutiques. It has an aquarium. The offer of this shopping center continues to grow and bring new products to the city, a hotel of great tourism is currently being built.
• 

  Plaza Galerías Las Torres in León, project designed by Grupo Link. [1]
  Galleries Las Torres: located in the northwest of the city, is a project designed by Grupo Link [2]. It has anchor stores such as Cinépolis, Walmart, Office Depot, Toks, Casino Emotion, as well as the fun park El Parque de la Selva. It also has a fast food area, boutiques, shoe shops, restaurants and customer service centers.
• The Great Plaza: shopping center located near the Golden Zone of the city. Its main anchor shops are Fábricas de France, Cinépolis, McDonald's and Martí, also offers cafes, clothing shops, shoe shops and various services.
• 

  Hotel and Plaza Stadium.
  Plaza Stadium (before Galerías León): privileged by its location, close to places such as the Guanajuato Cultural Forum, Parque Explora y Museo de Ciencias, Central de Autobuses, Estadio León, Plaza del Zapato and Poliforum León, as well as the hotel area of the city, this shopping center emerged as an annex to the Hotel Mexico Plaza. Among its commercial offer we find Cinemex, Applebee's, Martí shops, fast food area, restaurants and bars. He was currently given a turn to the square, which will be focused on sport as his main attraction.
• Plaza de Gran Jardin: restaurant, commercial square, has the first skyscraper of the Bajío, with a height of 170 m, called Torre 40, inaugurated in 2020.
• Forum 4: shopping center, Hotel Fiesta Americana great tourism, Torre Banorte, departments, gastronomy, very close to main square, in construction opening 2019.
• Haus León: shopping center, departments, restaurants, near Salle Bajío University, in open construction 2019.
• City Park León: shopping center, 5 star hotels and great tourism, Artificial Lake + Park, corporate towers, will host the third skyscraper of León, a tower of +180 m, departments, gastronomy, located in López Mateos and Morelos, just opposite the North Metropolitan Park, will have its anchor store Iron Palace, in Construction opening 2020.
• Plaza Puerta Bajío: in construction, it is a business center, will have luxury departments, hotel of great tourism and shopping center, is built the second skyscraper of León, with a height of +180 m. Very close to this square the construction begins, of what will be one of the highest skyscrapers in Mexico, with a height of 220 m called Skadia Luxury Towers.
• Outlet Mulza: commercial center dedicated to the trade of footwear, the textile industry and the marroquinería, with more than 160 shops of national and international brands, as well as fast food and cafeteria area. It is characterized by being the first commercial center in its type of city, and being designed in the style of the big American outlets.

Factory Outlet León, a project designed by Grupo Link.

• Factory Outlet Center: located next to the Outlet Mulza, is a project designed by Grupo Link [3] offers not only shoe shops and clothing, but of all kinds of items that can be offered under the concept "outlet", such as toys, video games, sports accessories, among others. It is currently in its first stage, but there is an expansion that attracts more outlet-format stores.
• Plaza del Zapato: dedicated especially to shoes and other products of the industry. It offers the consumer the most important shoes brands of the city and the country in a single place, and is characterized by being located right next to the Central Bus, one of the main places where visitors arrive to the city to make their purchases of footwear, Moroccan shop and leather products.
• Plaza Campestre: has 5 star hotel, self-service shop, bars, cafes and restaurants.
• 

  Plaza Palmas León, a project designed by Grupo Link.
  Plaza Las Palmas: It is a successful commercial strip, designed by Grupo Link [4] and features car agencies; Infiniti, Renault, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Volvo and Buick, cafes, restaurants and bars. It has the 80mts Adamant departmental tower.
• Placita Campestre II: has several restaurants, cafes, restaurants and bars.
• Plaza León: it has the Hotsson hotel of great tourism, banks, restaurants and cafes.
• Zentro: Commercial square designed by Grupo Link [5] It has a casino, restaurants and cafes.
• Plaza Residencial en Ciudad Maderas León: in construction, housing project that includes commercial area, health and the University of the Valley of Mexico.
• Plaza Residencial El Molino: in construction, ambitious project, with golf course, residential area, shopping center and construction of the Anáhuac University and Highlands College.
• Plaza Cerro Gordo: is a power center with shops like City Club and Soriana 24 h.
• Satellite Square (Power Center): shopping center located in Bulevar Torres Landa and Bulevar Timoteo Lozano, whose base shop is Soriana Híper, with a department store Coppel and with common premises.
• Obelisk Square (Common Commercial Center): located in Hilario Medina and Avenida Vicente Valtierra. It has prestigious shops focused on common use, banks, restaurants and anchor shops such as Bodega Aurrerá, Blockbuster and Coppel.
• Plaza Insurgentes (Common Commercial Center): shopping center located in Av. Insurgentes and Bulevar Adolfo López Mateos, whose anchor shop is Comercial Mexicana, with shops focused on common use and personal and restaurants.
• Plaza Malecón (Power Center): shopping center located in Av. Malecón del Río de Los Gómez y Bulevar Mariano Escobedo, whose base shop is Soriana Híper, but also has large shops such as Blockbuster and Cinemex and a hotel One.
• Plaza Maravillas (Power Center): shopping center located in Bulevar Juan Alonso de Torres y Carretera León-Lagos de Moreno, whose base shop is Soriana Híper, with a department store Coppel and prestigious premises.
• Plaza Río Mayo (Power Center): shopping center located in Avenida Río Mayo south of the city, whose base shop is Soriana Híper, with a department store Coppel and common premises.
• Plaza Chedraui Torres Landa (Power Center): shopping center located in Avenida Torres Landa and Avenida Central, whose base shop is Chedraui, with a department store Famsa and prestigious and common premises.
• Plaza Chedraui Poliforum (Power Center): Commercial center located in Blvd López Mateos and Avenida Francisco Villa, whose base shop is Chedraui, with a department store Famsa and premises of prestige and common use.
• Plaza Chedraui Madrazo (Power Center): Commercial center located in Blvd Antonio Madrazo and Avenida Prol. Campestre, whose base shop is Chedraui, with a department store Famsa and premises of prestige and common use.
• Walmart Torres Landa Square (Power Center): Located in Bulevar Torres Landa and Avenida Francisco Villa. It is composed of Walmart, Suburbia, Vips, El Portón and prestigious shops.
• Walmart Clouthier Square (Power Center): Located in Blvd. Manuel J. Clouthier near Plaza Mayor. It is composed of Walmart, Sam's Club, The Home Depot, Vips and soon Forum 4.
• Walmart Square (Power Center): Located in East Zone
• Walmart Torch Square (Power Center): Located near the Torch of the Bicentennial, at the Side Gate.
• Walmart Delta Square (Power Center): Located by Blvd Delta and Blvd La Luz.
• HEB Square (Power Center): In Campestre with Blvd López Mateos.
• HEB Campestre Square (Power Center): Located in Av. fat hill, col. Lomas del campestre

* Torre 40 Lumiêre, the tallest tower in León and Bajio, has 42 floors and 162mts. high, it is a luxury departmental tower, it is tower no. 36 highest in Mexico.

Parks

Hidalgo Park

The park dates from the time of New Spain, it was known as Paseo del Ojo de Agua. In 1883 it was inaugurated as the "Manuel González" Park, in honor of the then President of the Republic and later Governor of Guanajuato, but on the Centennial of Independence it was baptized with the name of the Father of the Nation, and from that moment on known as Hidalgo Park.

Metropolitan Ecological Park of León, Gto.

This green lung provides a recreation area in conjunction with nature that makes it the ideal place for those who like to play sports in the open air, thanks to its 2 tracks of just over 7 km for runners and bicycles, which surround the dam through beautiful landscapes.

The Metropolitan Park offers you camping areas with security all year round, toilets, restaurants, medical service and everything for the comfort of its visitors.

It is the place where high-quality events take place throughout the year, such as the International Hot Air Balloon Festival, the largest in Latin America, which is held every year in November; Triathlons, Athletic Races, Cultural Events among others.

On October 15, at the World Congress of Urban Parks, the Parque Metropolitano de León was recognized as one of the seven most valuable and interesting parks in the world, receiving a first international prize. What was recognized about the park? It is a worldwide example of how natural resources can be used, the The main function of the El Palote dam is to prevent flooding in the city. In 1953 this dam was built and in 1993 it is decided to give it a recreational use for people. Beyond its security function in terms of natural disasters that it offers, at this moment more than one million 250 thousand people a year enjoy this type of nature and this is what was recognized. This is an award for all the people of Leon, for all the people who come to the park very often, and it shows that we are on a par with parks in Sydney, India, Belgium and Zaragoza”, shared the director Enríquez Flores.

East Metropolitan Park

Parque Metropolitano Oriente will be built on a 284-hectare federally owned land, which is under the custody of the Ministry of Public Administration, and in particular of INDAABIN (National Institute of Administration and Appraisals of National Assets). It will be located in the León Silao Metropolitan corridor, with access via the highway to Comanjilla and a section of dirt road near the community of Albarradones.

Los Cárcamos Park

Cárcamos Park is an ecological area which has an area of 11 hectares, located north of the city a few meters from the Metropolitan Park.

This park is mostly full of hills covered with grass in excellent condition, which gives an incredibly natural view, in addition to having a track for runners which crosses and runs through this park.

It also has a lake, where different types of birds arrive, such as Canadian ducks, wild ducks, cormorants, coots, etc.

Inside this park there is also a greenhouse, which houses plants of many different types, such as palms, Lebanese blood, Arabian, etc.

The entrance to Los Cárcamos Park is free, only on holidays a fee of $5.00 is charged. On Sundays they have exhibitions of organic products for sale.

La Sardaneta Park

The linear park with a length of 4.4 km connects the Parque Metropolitano Norte with the Parque Zoológico de León, it consists of eight pedestrian bridges, 26 plazas with games and exercise equipment, an extreme zone for skating skills, bicycle and parkour, four multipurpose courts, 43 graffiti walls, more than 100 benches with palapas, 150 metal benches, 115 recycled garbage containers, 350 information and location signs, a walkway, a bicycle path, an athletic lane, and a track for the pneumatic train. The unification of these parks makes it the largest in Latin America.

Guanajuato Bicentennial Park

Located in the municipality of Silao de la Victoria, in the León metropolitan area. It is a place that combines recreation, learning and fun for everyone. It has approximately 14.5 ha where they carry out events and expressions related to education, culture and technology to strengthen the identity and values that distinguish us as Guanajuato and Mexicans.

It has eight exhibition halls. Five are permanent:

• The morning hall with the exhibition: 390 ppm, altered Planet, Climate Changes and Mexico.
• The History Hall with the exhibition: Mexico, A Walk through History.
• The Iberoamerican pavilion and its bicentennials.
• The Armed Forces Pavilion with the Memorabilia Exhibition.
• The pavilion of the Papal Visit of Benedict XVI to the Metropolitan Zone of León and the City of Guanajuato Capital.

And three spaces that house temporary exhibitions, among which stand out:

• Identity with the sample Mexico infinite,
• Contemporary indigenous peoples.
• Footprints of life, fossil jewelry from Mexico.
• Limit Zero, the creative act before adversity.
• Sábana Santa. The Exhibition.
• Bridge without Scales, strengthening the bonds of brotherhood.
• Once upon a time was the human body.
• Titanic, The Exhibition.
• Michelangelo Bounarotti. An artist between two worlds.

Explora Science Center

Explora is one of the best-known and best-equipped museums and interactive science centers in Mexico and Latin America.

Explora was created by the Board of the León State Fair. It is currently managed by the Board of Explora, a decentralized body of the municipal administration made up of representatives of the government sector, the scientific community and intermediate organizations of society. The Science Center, which first opened its doors in November 1994, is visited by about 200,000 people each year, about 43% of whom are group schoolchildren. The main resources of the Explora Science Center, in 10,200 m² of built area, are:

• Six theme rooms with displays, most of which are interactive
• IMAX® Leonardo Da Vinci Theatre, with 296 seats and a projection system of large 3D films (in three dimensions)
• An area for temporary exhibitions
• Auditorium Isaac Asimov for projections and outreach activities
• The Emerging Technologies Workshop, Tecnotrón
• The Science Classroom, a peculiar laboratory for experimental activities
• Three science workshops
• An electric energy saving room, called Put the Pilas
• The Ideas Cabus, a workshop focused on the practice of mental abilities of young children
• Two multiple activity rooms, called Galileo and Lev S. Vygotsky
• Coffee Shop Newton apple
• Memories and Educational Games Shop The Pendulum
• Services areas and offices

Zoo Park

The León Zoo is located on the road to Ibarrilla km 6 in areas donated in the 50s to create a park. The project was sent to the State Department of Public Works and was founded on September 19, 1979. The León Zoo is presented as one of the best options for family life, in an environment of conservation and respect for animals. In 1994 the veterinary clinic was created, and since 2002 the Night Safari has been presented. In addition, as of November 10, 2006, the Safari Zooleón opens its doors, with guided tours and a greater approach to the species; under the concept of an African savannah, with animals in semi-freedom. It has 240 different species and more than 2,000 animals, eight unique species in Mexico.

Bajio Aquarium

The aquarium is located in the Altacia shopping center, with a construction area of 41,000 m², it has 14 thousand specimens of 300 different species in its facilities, as well as several observation rooms. It was inaugurated on August 5, 2017.

Fairs

State Fair

The León State Fair has been held since 1876, to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the city, and to date receives around 6 million visitors. It is considered one of the most important fairs in Mexico, due to its size, number of visitors, international projection and world-class events. It takes place in the months of January and February, and includes a parade, mechanical games, artists, livestock exhibitions, and Guanajuato handicrafts. The fair facilities are located at Bulevar Adolfo López Mateos Oriente 1820, La Martinica, 37500 León, Guanajuato. The fair opens its doors from 10 in the morning. The fair is organized by the Board of Trustees of the León State Fair and Ecological Park. The 2019 edition had an attendance of 6.5 million visitors.

National Book Fair

The FeNaL (National Book Fair) of León is a meeting place in the world of literature and a place to do business in the center of the country. It has the support and participation of CONACULTA, CANIEM, the State Government, the State Institute of Culture, municipal and state public libraries, among other companies and institutions, as well as one of the most important fairgrounds in the country, the Poliforum León.

Zoo Fair

Also known as Zoo León, it opened its doors in 1979 and currently houses more than 1,200 animals of 180 different species. Concerned about the national fauna, peacocks, Mexican gray wolves, golden eagles and other species have reproduced in their facilities. You can explore the seven hectares in its Safari or Night Safari, although the latter only takes place on the last Friday of each month. With the aim of offering visitors to the León Zoological Park an extra attraction, the exhibition 'Huellas de vida' arrives at the zoo and will remain there until January 10, announcing that the date will be extended until January 30, 2016 to offer an interactive journey through the different stages of the Earth and show some of the species that have inhabited it, through giant figures, robots, skeletons and real fossils.

‘Huellas de vida’ is a space dedicated to the celebration of biodiversity, aimed at the general public. This exhibition has previously visited numerous educational centers such as the Coahuila Desert Museum, the Natural History Museum of Mexico City, and the Museum of Science and Technology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, to name a few.

In the summer, in the Zoological Park of León, they hold a fair that lasts 2 weeks in their facilities; with gastronomic pavilions, children's games and presentation of local and national artists.

Exhibitions

Industrial Transformation Mexico by HANNOVER MESSE

Organizer of the event "Industrial Transformation Mexico" and a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe, offers for 2019 a three-day program focused on smart manufacturing and digital transformation in Mexico.

The agenda for this first edition in Mexico will offer trade shows, conferences, and a training program aimed at professionals in the aerospace, automotive, electronics, and metalworking industries.

Those attending this event will be able to get closer to concepts and products based on integrated industry, the exhibitions will be on intelligent manufacturing, industrial automation, robotics, digital factory and intelligent logistics. It is estimated that for this fair in Mexico there will be an attendance of 150 exhibiting companies and 4,000 visitors.

SAPICA

SAPICA (Salón de la Calzado y el Calzado) is the largest exhibition of footwear and leather goods in Latin America, organized by the Chamber of the Footwear Industry of the State of Guanajuato (CICEG).

This platform is extremely important for the economy of both the country and the State of Guanajuato, since it promotes and generates the growth of PYMES (small and medium-sized enterprises). The leather and footwear sector is the base of the city's economy, not to mention that it is one of the largest footwear fairs in Latin America.

At the same time, it is one of the platforms for new talents, designers and entrepreneurs from the city of León, Guanajuato. Where the Government supports economically to be able to expose their products to potential customers.

ANPIC

ANPIC The Fair of America is the most important supplier event in the American continent for the Leather-Shoes, Leather Goods industry and related sectors such as the Furniture and Automotive Industry.

In its previous edition, this business platform brought together more than 315 exhibiting brands in more than 1.1 hectares of exhibition space from the following sectors: 1.- Machinery and Equipment; 2.- Components, Accessories and Fittings; 3.- Synthetics and Textiles; 4.- Lasts, Heels and Soles; 5.- Tanned and Skins; 6.- Chemical Products and 7.- Service Institutions.

In March 2015, ANPIC has changed its name to APIMEX (Association of Industrial Suppliers of Mexico), this is due to the fact that León has already opened up more to the market and is no longer just a Footwear Industry, now the momentum is gaining generating in more industries that are on the rise such as the automotive industry and the suppliers that supply this important branch.

Conferences

I Automotive Congress of Mexico

León was the venue for the first Automotive Congress in Mexico, a business meeting that seeks to consolidate the Guanajuato automotive cluster, attract investment and detonate the industrial parks of Bajío. The event took place on March 11 and 12, 2015 at the Poliforum León.

V World Shoe Congress

León was chosen as the venue for the V World Footwear Congress (in English: World Footwear Congress), an event that has become one of the most important showcases for the sale and exhibition of the industry shoemaker. This was held on November 24 and 25, 2014.

Mexico thus prevailed over Italy and China, who also sought to host this event, sponsored by the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry and which in each edition moves more than 500 world leaders in the industry.

XX Veterinary Congress

More than 14,000 veterinarians arrive in the city as of September 2, 2015 at the León Veterinary Congress, an event that celebrates its 20th edition. This congress began as a small event that with the passage of time grew be the most important in the Republic and this year, it becomes the most important in Latin America. This congress is of lions origin.

Art, culture and traditions

Diego Rivera House of Culture

• Círculo Leonés Mutualista: founded in 1901. It is located in La Zona Peatonal, on Calle Madero 129, It offers various cultural, artistic and coexistence workshops and demonstrations. It has art gallery, theatre and a library with some publications of the centuryXVIIIEverything in a beautiful neoclassical style building.
• Casa de la Cultura “Diego Rivera”: located in the Plaza Fundadores, in the historical center, it has a baroque facade, built in the centuryXX.. The building is named after the famous Guanajuatense muralist. It offers various cultural activities such as dance, crafts classes, painting, drawing, theatre, ballet, etc.
• Casa de la Cultura “Efrén Hernández”: offers various workshops that allow a varied population to approach art and culture.
• Casa “Louis Long”: Luis Long, outstanding architect arrived in León in 1877, lived in this house until his death in 1927. Twenty years earlier, the construction of the tower began in the back garden. There were their rooms and their watchmaking and astronomy workshops, among others. After the last restoration work in 2012, in the backyard of the building were found the remains of a horse and a cannon bullet, in addition to an old well, official headquarters of the Lion Music School. The Casa Luis Long Museum is the immediate project. The brick tower, behind the Doblado Theatre, surprises visitors. In the central courtyard, a sculpture by Luis Long was installed by Terrés. He paid tribute to the Londoner who intervened in the architectural development of Leon and other cities of the Bajío.
• Centro Cultural “San Gabriel”: started on January 1, 2000, and since then there are music workshops, plastic arts and languages.
• School of Plastic Arts “Antonio Segoviano”: receives his name in honor of this painter lions who died in 1956 and who performed in the centuryXX. an abundant work of painting and teaching which highlights the decoration of the temples of the Third Order and the Chapel of Bethlehem, as well as abundant portraits; but perhaps the greater merit of Segoviano was the generosity with which he imparted his knowledge when asked, without ever receiving payment for it. It offers painting, drawing, engraving, sculpture, photography, art history, art theory, children's workshops, teen and comic workshops as well as diplomas in painting, sculpture and engraving.
• “Silvino Robles” Music School: named in honor of Silvino Robles Gutiérrez (1914-1990) who was Director of the Higher School of Music of Leon, Sochiantre of the Cathedral of Leon, Founder and President of the Lions Society of Concerts, Master of Canto Gregoriano at the Seminary of León and at the Preparatory School. It offers specialized musical education.
• Teatro Manuel Doblado: building built in 1869, of neoclassical style, its interiors were completely remodeled in art déco in the middle of the 20th century. It has a capacity for 1,388 spectators. It has annexed the Gallery Jesús Gallardo with exhibitions of first level plastic work.
• Teatro María Grever: inaugurated in the year 2000 it owes its name to the singer-songwriter Maria Joaquina de la Portilla Torres known for her artistic name María Grever, who was born in this city on August 16, 1894 and to whom we remember songs like “When I return to your side”, “Júrame” among others. Since its inauguration the Maria Grever Theatre has been a space dedicated to the promotion of local artists as it is an open forum for their proposals, it has hosted the Cervantino International Festival. Its capacity is 288 people.
• 

  "The Time" Sculpture by Jorge Marín
  Cultural Forum Guanajuato: cultural complex, space of entertainment and artistic and cultural formation located in an approximate area of 9 ha, composed by: Wigberto Jiménez Moreno State Central Library, Museum of Art and History of Guanajuato of the Guanajuato Cultural Forum, Academic Unit for the Culture and Arts of León of the University of Guanajuato and Teatro del Bicentenario. It was designed by American architect Didi Pei and funded by state and federal governments, as well as private initiative through the Guanajuato Cultural Foundation. Its first elements, the library and the Academic Unit, were opened on 7 September 2006, the Museo de Arte Historia de Guanajuato has been operating since July 2008, and the Teatro del Bicentenario was inaugurated on 7 December 2010.
• Plaza de Gallos: century buildingXVIIIan enclosure that was the most important forum for a long time in the city. The property was occupied for events such as cockfights, taurine parties, theatre plays, high-level musicals, among the best artists of the time that were presented we can mention Angela Peralta. The free struggle was also present in the Plaza de Gallos, as it was the scene of clashes between El Santo, Blue Demon, El Cavernario Galindo and Black Shadow, until approximately 1944, when they built the Plaza de Toros La Luz. He had an event of the then candidate for the presidency of the republic Francisco I. Madero. Unfortunately the place was neglected and abandoned for many years, but after so many years of deterioration, a stage of architectural refurbishment of the building began to preserve the monumental images of the Plaza de Gallos. The enclosure for 1800 was worth about 7 thousand pesos, today is valued by 7 million pesos, a building that stands out for its astonishing neoclassical and baroque architectural facade. And it was until the 1960s that the rooster square stopped working as a show center and today it starts its conversion to a tourist place.
• Feast of 12 January: day dedicated to San Juan Diego, is celebrated since January 12, 1876. On this day the lions dress in unditos with blanket costumes and typical Mexicans, come to the temple of the Sanctuary of Guadalupe – Patron of the Mexicans, to the San Lorenzo Cerrito, from 6:00 and until 21:30 to celebrate taking their children dressed in “John Dieguitos” carrying huacales with ornaments such as food and “Lupitas” honoring the Virgin of More The first Bishop of the Diocese of Leon, José María de Jesus Diez de Sollano and Dávalos, ordered that on January 12, 1876 the “Day of the Unpublished.” Feligresses go on pilgrimage in a manifestation of faith in the Feast of the Inditos that exceeds 15,000 people, so ensuring the fluency in the atrium of the devotees is omitted the celebration of mass. In the Center the streets close the streets adjacent to the shrine to mount sale of religious objects, foods such as cravings, tacos and enchiladas, as well as mechanical games facilities and this becomes a familiar coexistence where Catholics attend in a popular verb to receive blessings with holy water of religious images, flowers and food as bread and prepared in puddles or baskets, which are discussed at the end of the tour. In the Aldama Market, in the street of Leona Vicar and surrounding area are installed on sale of suits, hats, huaraches, paliacates, slang saraps, mustaches, hupils, blouses, skirts, protruding braids, necklaces, bracelets and huacales of carizo or wood and their natural or plastic ornaments like chorizo, fruit and It is a tradition to acquire an instant photograph in the scenarios mounted by photographers with images of San Juan Diego and the Virgin of Guadalupe, as well as utensils and decorateds evoking the activities of the Inditos and the apparition of the “Most Holy Mother”.
• Feast in Honor to the Blessed Virgin of Light: On 7 May, the workers of the city go on pilgrimage to the Basilica Cathedral, to worship the Blessed Virgin of Light, patron of the city.
• Blessing of the Panes: On September 10 the blessing of the bread is celebrated in the temple of St. Nicholas, while on the outskirts are sold cravings and miniature bread.

Gastronomy

• Food: it is customary to eat tacos, pork Guanajuato style, birria, often, hard chicharrones and lonja, corn bread,guacamayas, prawns, oven gorditas, elote fats, enchiladas, atoles, pickles, fruit in vinegar of pineapple and apple, and red mole very in the style of the region, On the Day of All Saints and Dead, the fiambre: fruit in vinegar with sausages of pork and of course, the very lioness dessert, the guavate or guajata with purple sweet potatoes.
• Golosins: family-made sweets, such as covered fruits, cokes, preservatives, jelly, owls, baked potatoes, rice with milk are consumed mainly.
• Sweet bread: the traditional breads bear the suggestive names of: elotes, chamucos, girlfriends, pelonas, shells, granillo loves, chorreadas, sevillanas, cinnamon and steam threads, horns, balls and boxes of butter, panties, bricks, peels, and pinchos.
• Antojitos: the "Guacamayas" - cake or cobbled pork hard with sauce -, "The Bears" and "Bombs" - Peppers of jícama and cheese chotija in lemon enchilado juice and pineapple vinegar -, Las "Chalupas" - Pepino with onion, chotija cheese and pineapple vinegar.
• Drinks: The traditional drink is the barley, fresh barley water to which is added baking soda when consumed.
• Bolis: the traditional ice cream dessert is the boli, frozen food of natural origin in presentations of small bags, distributed by the boli child.

International festivals and championships

International Balloon Festival

The Festival in 2012.

The International Balloon Festival receives approximately 600 thousand people every year, it takes place in the Metropolitan Park of the city of León, and in its 2010 edition it had 200 hot air balloons commanded by famous pilots. The balloons make their appearance in the Leonese sky at 7am and there is a night show, in which the balloons fly over the waters of the metropolitan park.

In 2007 it had a record attendance with 210,000 visitors in 4 days. In 2008 the sixth edition was held with the participation of 90 balloons.

In 2010 the highest number of attendees was obtained in one day: 120,000 on Sunday; In addition, there was the participation of 200 balloons under the theme of "200 years, 200 Balloons", based on the Bicentennial celebrations.

In 2011, the Balloon Festival was the most profitable tourist event in León. With the participation of 200 hot air balloons from the United States, Brazil, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Mexico, this festival became the largest in Latin America and the second most important in the world, only after the one held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where 537 balloons fly.

In the 2013 and 2014 edition it had an influx of just over 500,000 people, from all over Mexico and abroad, 200 balloons flew through the sky of León.

Brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier pioneered ballooning. On June 4, 1783, they made their first adventure, managing to raise a spherical linen bag lined with paper full of hot air, managing to travel 2 km in 10 min, reaching an altitude of almost 2,000 m. In the year 1783 the first flight with people was made, reaching an altitude of 1000 m.

It all began on February 26, 1842, when ballooning in Mexico saw the light of day thanks to Don Benito León Acosta y Rubí de Celis from Guanajuato, an intrepid pilot who managed to take off in a hot air balloon made by himself, from his hometown, Guanajuato, with the firm intention of landing in Dolores Hidalgo, thus becoming a National Hero by being the first Mexican balloonist. However, his course was forced to change to finally reach Río Verde, in the state of San Luis Potosí, which turned this adventure into a true feat never seen before, transforming the figure of León Acosta, immediately, into the first balloonist in the history of the country.

The International Balloon Festival in León, Guanajuato was born in December 2002, 160 years later, the example of Don Benito served to give life to the International Balloon Festival (FIG), with the participation of 27 hot air balloons.

FIG has maintained a growth of 1,250% since its inception, managing to bring together more than 2 million people during 12 editions, who year after year enjoy this great show. Currently, it is the most important event in Latin America of its kind and one of the most recognized worldwide. continues in the search to position itself as the second in importance worldwide.

In 2013, the FIG brought together 200 hot air balloons with pilots from more than 15 countries, where more than 20 balloons have spectacular shapes, it takes place over 4 days with more than 405 thousand visitors, generating an economic benefit of 425 million 622 thousand 593 pesos and a 100% hotel occupancy in León and neighboring cities. It is carried out within the framework of the León Metropolitan Park, Located in the Palote Dam, where in addition to admiring the balloons there is an area where you can camp.

The Balloon Festival is enriched with multiple activities throughout the day that are organized such as concerts, contests, exhibitions and a gastronomic area for the whole family. Participants come to León from Germany, Spain, the United States, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, Canada and Mexico among other countries, filling all attendees of all ages with emotion and joy who enjoy the festival integrated to the family.

In 2014, the FIG was back and again presented 200 hot air balloons, with 25 incredible special figures, a program full of music, color and activities for the whole family.

The 2015 edition had an influx of more than 500,000 people.

Since the 2016 edition, international artists have come to the event to give concerts, such as Inna, Dua Lipa, Steve Aoki among others.

In 2019, Martin Garrix, considered the best DJ in the world, visited León for the first time.

In 2020, the event made history by being carried out completely virtually, reaching millions of homes in Mexico and the world thanks to the live transmission of all the activities of this edition.

International Festival of Contemporary Art

The International Festival of Contemporary Art has been held since 1993. Since its inception it has featured music and dance shows by local artists that are shown in the various cultural venues of the city, as well as in the Casa de las Monas, old House of Culture. These local artists generated innovative expressions that stopped imitating global trends to create their own.

International Film Festival

The FICL was born through the Guanajuato School of Visual Arts, as a project that aspires to become one of the most important festivals in Mexico, due to the relationship it has with other competitions, government institutions, the private sector, producers, directors and actors. Russia, Greece, Egypt and Iran are some of the countries that have participated in this meeting. The activities of the first edition were complemented with a tribute to Jorge Pantoja Merino, founder of the Film Club of the University of Guanajuato. The León International Film Festival joins a list that already exceeds 100 film competitions that take place in Mexico annually.

Cervantino International Festival

A combination of institutional efforts, the International Cervantino Festival with its headquarters in this city, is possible thanks to the festival itself, the Government of the State of Guanajuato through the Guanajuato Cultural Forum and the Municipal Presidency, through the Cultural Institute of León and the Directorate of the Historic City.

FIA World Rally Championship

The Corona Rally Mexico is a great rally car event. It is a date of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), entered the world calendar in 2003 and is currently the only WRC event developed in North America.

FIM Motocross World Championship

The MX1 Motocross World Championship in León, to be held on September 13 and 14, 2014 in the Metropolitan Park, is the penultimate date of the world calendar, it is a motocross competition regulated by the International Motorcycle Federation (FIM). The championship was inaugurated in 1957 as a continuation of the European Championship that had been held since 1952. There was only one category, the 500 cc, but in 1962 the 250 cc was included and in 1975 the 125 cc.

International Aquatic Clinic

Each year Brafer Sport Acuatic through the International Aquatic Clinic, brings together swimming professionals worldwide in theoretical and practical workshops unique in Mexico in the City of León.

In past editions CAI has had the presence of Olympic medalists such as Caitlin Leverenz, Matt McLean, Josh Davis among others. CAI proposes to continue evolving the teaching of methods and techniques that contribute greater performance to the practice of swimming. The 2015 edition will take place from September 18 to 20.

Motorcycle Party

León is the headquarters of the most important motorcycle event in Latin America, from the last Thursday of October to the last Sunday of October the Motofiesta is held at the facilities of La Feria de León, with different special guests and activities of international stature.

Transportation

Optibús System

The Integrated Transport System (SIT - Optibús) is the main operator of mass transfer of people in the city. This BRT bus rapid transit (in English, Bus rapid transit) began operating on September 26, 2003.

Despite the imperative need for a “Metro” Underground Transport system, which had originally been projected to be built with two lines, León was the first city in the country to implement the articulated bus system (BRT) under the Bogota Colombia Transmilenio model; Following his example, it was later implemented in Monterrey as Transmetro; later, in Mexico City, as Metrobús, in Guadalajara as Macrobús and Puebla known as Red Urbana de Transporte Articulado (RUTA).

Interurban Mobility System “UneBus”

UneBus integrates urban and suburban services, as well as different modes of transport such as automobiles and bicycles in a single system; A shorter transfer time is sought, by making times efficient, accessibility of the service to reduce the use of private cars and having integrated rate schemes.

The first stage, which began operations in mid-2018 and includes the Metropolitan Area of León, which consists of the Purísima del Rincón, San Francisco del Rincón, León de Los Aldama, Silao de la Victoria and Guanajuato Capital areas, will benefit 2 million 128 thousand 611 people, who represent close to 40 percent of the population; 4 out of 10 Guanajuatenses will be attended.

The Modal Transfer Stations –CETRAMS–, which will be like bus stations, where users can leave their vehicle or bicycle and get around on UneBus, will be ready by the second quarter of 2018. In the City of León they will be in Soriana Maravillas, Chedraui Polifórum, CentroMax and El Puente del Milenio, while those of San Francisco-Purísima, Silao de la Victoria and Guanajuato Capital; It will have stops on Highway 45 (León - Silao) in Santa Ana del Conde, Comanjilla, MASECA and Colonias Nuevo México. This service contemplates the use for the Guanajuato Interior Port and the Guanajuato International Airport (León/Bajío).

The second stage of Unebus is projected to start at the end of 2018, it contemplates the expansion of the system to Silao, Irapuato, Salamanca and Celaya. With this stage, 856 thousand 340 people will be benefiting, benefiting a total of more than 3 million people in the two stages, representing more than 50 percent of the population, and reaching a third stage with a goal of 7 of every 10 Guanajuatenses.

Bike lanes

In the city, 80 percent of the inhabitants travel by public transport, bicycle or walking. The manufacturing industry is made up of more than 9,000 companies that employ around 200,000 workers, citizens who use bicycles more frequently to commute to their workplaces. In 1997, IMPLAN carried out the "Comprehensive study of bike lanes in León", at that time the municipality had only bike lanes.

In 2009, the Institute implemented the update of the Cycle Paths Master Plan, which establishes a system of unification in the cycling networks, in which the construction of a cycling network with a continuous, comfortable and safe system is proposed with the purpose of in order to promote and encourage the use of this means of transport, beyond what is currently used.

Today, León occupies the third place in Latin America in the network of bicycle paths (). A study prepared by the Urban Mobility Observatory for this region of the continent placed the city, only behind Bogotá, Colombia and Curitiba in Brazil. León has the most important network of bicycle lanes in the Mexican Republic, according to studies by the Institute of Transportation and Development Policies (ITDP).

Air transportation

Guanajuato International Airport (IATA code: BJX, ICAO code: MMLO), commissioned in 1991 to replace the old León Airport (commonly known as San Carlos Airport, today the headquarters of the Technological University of León). It handles national and international air traffic in the area that includes the León Metropolitan Area, as well as the entire State of Guanajuato and the Altos de Jalisco region; the Airport operates 190 weekly flights; although it is located in the neighboring municipality of Silao de la Victoria.

There are international flights directly to the United States of America; and with connections in Mexico City, Monterrey, Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Saltillo, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Oakland, Chicago, San Francisco and Detroit; hassle-free travel to Canada, Central America, South America, Europe, Asia, Oceania and Africa is feasible.

Ground transportation

Central Bus Station

The Central Bus Station of León, located in the Piel Zone on Hilario Medina Ave., is one of the most important in central Mexico because it serves as a connection center with many different cities in Mexico, especially in the central zone, north, northeast and the entire Pacific. It was inaugurated in 1969 and over the years it has been remodeled for better functionality.

Diverse lines offer their foreign passenger transport services such as ETN (National Land Links), Mexico Bus, Estrella Blanca, Elite, Futura, Transportes Chihuahuenses, Primera Plus, Coordinated Services, Mexican Buses, UNEBUS, Rojos de los Altos, Anahuac, Turistar Lujo, Grupo Flecha Amarilla (originally from the same city) and several other lines with economic, first class, luxury and executive services.

Metropolitan Terminal

The Metropolitan Terminal of León, located in the downtown area of León, on the traditional Miguel Alemán avenue, enjoys a transportation service from the downtown area of the city to other cities in the metropolitan area that are not located in León (Silao, [[Saint Frahh ncisco del Rincón|San Francisco]] and Purísima), to surrounding communities (La Ermita, La Soledad Family Center, Medina, Duarte, Plan de Ayala, San Juan de Abajo, Álvaro Obregón "Santa Ana del Conde", San Juan de Otates, San Nicolás de los González), to strategic destinations (Inland Port, Airport, General Motors Automotive Plant and Guanajuato Bicentennial Park) and to cities near the Metropolitan Area of León (Romita, Guanajuato Capital, San Felipe, Ocampo, Irapuato and Lagos).^{[citation required]}

Highways and roads

The highways and roads that the city has are:

• Carretera León-Silao-Irapuato (MEX45) (free until the entrance to Salamanca): by this way, you reach mainly the cities of Silao, San Luis Potosí (via Silao-San Felipe), Guanajuato Capital, Pénjamo (via La Piedad), Irapuato, Salamanca, Celaya, Morelia, Querétaro and Mexico City.
• Autopista León-Lagos de Moreno-Aguascalientes (MEX45D) (Cuota): via tolls, through it you can reach Lagos de Moreno, San Juan de los Lagos, Guadalajara and Aguascalientes.
• Autopista León-Salamanca-Morelia-Ixtapa (MEX43D) (Cuota): alternative to the Leon-Silao-Irapuato road, and by it you reach Romita, Salamanca, Morelia and Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo.
• Carretera León-Lagos de Moreno (MEX45) (Cuota): route to the towns of Lagos de Moreno, San Luis Potosí, San Juan de los Lagos, Guadalajara and Aguascalientes.
• Leon-Cuerámaro Highway (Freedom): you reach the cities of Cuerámaro and Pénjamo.
• Carretera León-San Felipe (GTO87) (Freedom): this way, you reach the cities of San Felipe, Ocampo and San Luis Potosí.
• Carretera León-San Francisco del Rincón (Libre), also known as "Eco-Bulevar": you reach the cities of San Francisco del Rincón, Manuel Doblado, Pénjamo, La Piedad and Guadalajara.
• The Metropolitan Axis Purísima-San Francisco-León-Guanajuato Puerto Interior-Silao-Romita-San Francisco is being built.
• Carretera León-Guanajuato-San Miguel de Allende

EMD SD70ACe detained at the Lion Station.

Specialized railway cargo terminal

Terminal Ferroviaria GPI.

It is integrated into the Guanajuato Interior Port. It manages the intermodal rail transport of goods to and from any of the points in the country's national network, including the main cities, seaports and international borders. This intermodal port has direct services from El Bajío to Chicago and El Paso, in the United States.

León is connected by rail with cities such as Aguascalientes, Torreón, Guadalajara, Ciudad Juárez and Mexico City. the railway line belongs to Ferromex.

León was the first destination of the Mexican Central Railroad from 1882 to 1909, when construction continued to the north of the country. It has a railway station located in the south of the city, on Blvd. Timoteo Lozano and Calle Independencia, in the San Miguel neighborhood. currently only freight trains pass

Industries

León is a city in the state of Guanajuato that stands out for its important shoe industry. According to the Municipal Historical Archive, the manufacture of the first shoes dates back to 1645, at that time the shoemakers worked with rudimentary tools, and by 1872 and with the establishment of the first factory, specialized machinery began to be used.

With the arrival of the railway, the city of León was a pioneer in the export of this product to the United States. Since the 1920s many of the workshops have become large companies. Currently, the city of León produces more than 72% [1] of the national industrial chain of this item. Currently, in Guanajuato there are 3,394 economic units associated with the shoe sector, and 85 percent of them are micro, small and medium-sized companies.

The Software Industry

Many companies dedicated to the development and maintenance of software from other states of the Mexican Republic and even from other countries have seen in the city of León, an interesting area to invest in computer technologies and complement other industries such as the automotive and electromechanical.

Demand for careers in computer systems engineering, computer science, and information technology management engineering have been in greater demand in recent years. And it is that with the success of smartphones, the geographical location of the city in the country and in Latin America, the metropolis of Bajío has made it a strategic point to invest in other items very unrelated to footwear, generating direct and indirect jobs.

The American company UST Global dedicated to providing E2E solutions and services settled on the León-Cuerámaro highway as a result of an agreement with former President Vicente Fox in order to support entrepreneurs and leaders in Mexico. Other local companies such as Infoware have trained personnel to maintain national banking leaders such as Banamex, maintaining their credit and Afore systems. Guadalajara companies have seen in the city a market that is increasing and requiring a greater number of experts in the area of computer systems, for this reason they have invested in human capital to meet these demands by creating local branches, such is the case of the company ISI that through outsourcing provides these services. Other companies offer human resources for the flourishing of this industry are PRODESIS and e-Nfinito.

Industrial parks

Several vocations are being developed, apart from the leather and footwear industry, which produces more than 65% of Footwear in Mexico, the tanning, chemical, and agro-industrial industries, highly specialized medical research, business tourism, and the university and research centers that have arrived in the city have turned it into a center of national attraction for students, workers, and professionals. Thanks to this great educational, research and labor offer, it allows a large number of Mexicans and foreigners to develop their abilities and skills in vocations in the area.

PILBA. In this industrial park, the French Michelin tire plant is being built.

Guanajuato Inland Port

It is a large industrial dry port and world export platform (Located territorially in the Municipality of Silao Gto.). Created in 2006 to promote the development of the state of Guanajuato, being the headquarters of the Metropolitan Area of León. It currently houses one of the most important industrial zones in the Bajío region. The Guanajuato Puerto Interior zone additionally integrates an industrial and business park that is currently under development. This area is designed to accommodate commercial companies and complementary services to the logistics and manufacturing activities that are being established in Guanajuato Puerto Interior. Some uses planned for this area are business hotels, banking and financial services, food and convenience services, transportation and logistics services, and offices for various uses. It is located in the strategic zone in the ZML, between León and Silao, very close to the General Motors Automotive Plant. Ten years after its start-up, Guanajuato Puerto Interior (GPI) has positioned itself as the engine of state development and the most important logistics complex not only in Mexico but in Latin America.

Among the companies that have been added to this zone can be counted manufacturers of international stature, such as:

Strategically located near the states of Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí and Querétaro; Within a 160 km radius, are the assembly companies: Mazda, Toyota, Honda, GM, VW, Nissan and BMW, making it the most important automotive cluster in America.

• Free Zone (Strategic Fiscalized Release)

Within the territory of this industrial park, products are introduced, manufactured, stored and shipped outside of Mexico without payment of foreign trade taxes and VAT, as long as they are returned abroad.

• Community Services Centre

This center was designed to serve companies located in Guanajuato Puerto Interior and their employees. It contains a nursery, a fire station and a medical care center with occupational health and emergency care areas. These facilities are included within a recreational and sports park.

General Motors Silao Industrial Park

General Motors has an industrial park in the León Metropolitan Area; In 1994, the Silao Complex emerged, the most modern facilities that GM Mexico has. The relevance of its operation is based on its productivity and quality, which have led it to set records in the Harbor Report North America, and to deserve the National Quality Award. The Silao Complex has two floors, Estampados and Ensamble. The first print awnings, doors, trunks, etc. for its local production and export; the second, has as its main products the Chevrolet Suburban and the GMC Yukon for export.

Las Colinas Leon Industrial Park

Grupo Lintel laid the first stone of the Colinas de León Industrial Park, a place that will have the capacity to accommodate 60 companies from the automotive, manufacturing and logistics industries.

This infrastructure will have an area of 246 hectares, where companies will offer 15,000 to 20,000 direct jobs, 80,000 indirect jobs, in addition to the 100,000 temporarily contemplated during construction.

The American company Oshkosh Corporation, manufacturer of military, security, emergency and construction vehicles, will invest 100 million dollars in a plant in this industrial park.

Las Colinas Silao Industrial Park

Grupo Lintel has an industrial park in the municipality of Silao, where there are companies such as Continental Teves, Wrigley's, among other companies in the automotive sector.v cc x dr ju jvhdh Fdez g:-/ n jet gr hejjrh

León-Bajío Industrial Park

The industrial park located in the Community of Santa Ana del Conde is where the leading French tire manufacturing company, Michelin, will build a plant in León. The data for the Michelin investment project in León are as follows: 100 hectares, 1,200 jobs in the first stage and 750 in the second, an investment of 660 million dollars in the first stage and 640 million dollars in a second, and a final goal of production of 10 million tires per year.

Stiva Leon Industrial Park

The Stiva León Industrial Park is located on the outskirts of the city of León, given its proximity to modern air, road and rail communication routes, it adds important differentiating advantages.

PILBA Leon Industrial Park

In this industrial park, the French Michelin tire plant is being built.

San Crispin Industrial Park

The San Crispín Industrial Fraccionamiento is made up mostly of companies in the tannery industry, including ALFAMEX and CUEROMEX; as well as Vicenza, a company dedicated to the manufacture of leather footwear for women.

Hospitals

The city of León is consolidating apart from industry in 3 areas: Higher education, business tourism and highly specialized medical care.

It has well-equipped hospitals, which treat people from all over Bajio.

Private:

• Therapy World Center Therapy World Center
• Ageles Hospital
• Hospital Aranda de la Parra
• Hospital Médica campestre
• Hospital CHRISTUS MUGUERZA Altagracia, first digital hospital in the State of Guanajuato, and fully digitized processes supported by Artificial Intelligence
• Hospital MAC
• Hospital Médica brisas
• Hospital Sante
• Hospital Siena
• Modern Sanatorium
• Sanatorio Chávez
• Sanatorio López Valdivia
• Bajio Medical Center

Audiences:

• IMSS
• ISSTE
• Hospital de alta especialidad de León
• Hospital General de León, very avant-garde in the region
• Infant Maternity Hospital
• Hospital Pedriatico

National corporations

• Grupo Textiles León

Media

Open television

• XHLGT-TDT (Las Estrellas y Foro TV)
• XHLEJ-TDT (Canal 5)
• XHL-TDT (Bajío TV and NU9VE)
• XHMAS-TDT (Aztec One and DNA 40)
• XHCCG-TDT (Azteca 7 and a+)
• XHCTLE-TDT
• XHLG-TDT (Multimedios Television, Millennium Television and CV Shopping)
• XHTMGJ-TDT (Canal 13)
• XHSPRCE-TDT and XHSPRLA-TDT (Canal Catorce, 11, UNAM TV and Canal 22)
• XHLEG-TDT (TVCuatro)

Pay TV

• Megacable
• Telecable
• Sky
• Dish
• Star TV
• TotalPlay
• Izzi

Newspapers and magazines

• El Sol de León de Organización Editorial Mexicana
• Noticias Vespertinas de Organización Editorial Mexicana
• ESTO del Bajío de Organización Editorial Mexicana
• AM León
• The Lion Herald
• Millennium
• Gitio/Shimbun Japanese Newspaper
• The Mail
• Day
• Maxwell
• Revista 012
• Revista Que

Services

León is the city with the most universities per capita in the country, one of the main factors is because it is one of the safest cities in the country, and it has a great educational offer, it is also a city with a very commercial offer varied; a pole of attraction for study centers and students in Mexico and other countries, with the first wave in the XX century, between 1968 and 1972 with houses of study such as the ULSA (formerly UBAC), the UG Faculty of Medicine, the UEPCA (formerly Epca) and the ITL. And a second one in 1978 with the prestigious UIA and ITESM; The city stood out as a regional study center in the country. Today we are talking about a constant arrival of renowned and prestigious institutes, universities and colleges. In addition to those mentioned above, we can talk about high-impact institutions such as: UNAM, IPN, ITL, UA, UNITEC, ULA, UTL, UNIVA, EBC, UDL, UNIPRO, UFM, among many more.

In recent years, the first comprehensive campus of the National Autonomous University of Mexico outside the country's capital has transformed the face of the Centronorte, Bajío, and Western regions of Mexico. The complex has a regional perspective and international scope, offering highly sought-after courses such as Dentistry, giving the inhabitants of the state a greater opportunity since it only existed in the private universities of the municipality. In addition to the development of the educational area of Guanajuato Puerto Interior, in this Since 2009, the area has been the first stage of a university campus of the National Polytechnic Institute called the Guanajuato Campus Interdisciplinary Professional Engineering Unit (UPIIG) that offers engineering careers related to manufacturing. Additionally, an industrial technical training center administered by CONALEP will operate in this area.

Institutions of middle and high school level

Public

• Escuela de nivel Medio Superior de León UG (Preparatoria Oficial: Hnos. Aldama)
• Escuela de nivel Medio Superior Centro Histórico León UG (Preparatoria Oficial: Álvaro Obregón)
• Escuela de Talentos Guanajuato Azteca León
• Higher Militaryized Middle Level School of León (Militaryized Preparedness)
• IPN Center for Scientific and Technological Studies (Las Joyas)
• National College of Technical Professional Education (CONALEP: Silao, León I, II and III)
• Centro de Estudios Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicios (CETIS: 21 and 77)
• Centro de Bachillerato Tecnológico Industrial y de Servicios (CBTIS: 225)
• College of Scientific and Technological Studies of the State of Guanajuato (CECYTEG: León)
• Advanced High School and Higher Education System (SABES: Lion with 30 plantations in different colonies and rural communities)
• Bachelor of the Virtual University of the State of Guanajuato

Private

• Agazzi Institute (Laico)
• Lux Institute (Jesuitas)
• Jassá Institute (Teresiano)
• Teresian Community Centre (Teresiano)
• Colegio Miraflores (Esclavas de la Eucharist)
• Instituto Cumbres del Bosque (Legionarios de Cristo)
• Colegio Mano Amiga (Legionarios de Cristo)
• Anáhuac University "Bachillerato" (Legionarios de Cristo)
• Tec de Monterrey "Bachillerato" (Laico)
• Colegio La Salle (Lasallista: Panorama, Andrade y Peñitas)
• UDLSB "Bachillerato" (Lasallista: Américas y Las Torres)
• Instituto Leonés (Franciscano)
• U. Franciscan "Bachillerato" (Franciscan)
• Liceo de León (Opus Dei)
• UDL "Bachillerato" (Laico: Juárez and Torres Landa)
• "Bachillerato" (Catholic)
• UNITEC "Bachillerato" (Laico)
• Colegio FrancoAmericano (Laico)
• Colegio Subiré Business School (Laico)
• IT Innovation School (Instituto Tepeyac.mx Campus León) (Laico)
• American Institute (Minimum Daughters of Mary Immaculate)
• Institute A. Mayllen (Catholic)
• Colegio Hidalgo (Guadalupano)
• Oviedo Institute (Laico)
• Gandhi College (Lay)
• Colegio Josefina Camarena (Family De Corde Jesu)
• Colegio Josefina Camarena Ciudad Maderas (Familia De Corde Jesu)
• Centro Educativo Patria (Laico)
• British College (Lay)
• Continent New College (Lay)
• Colegio Monclair (Laico: San Isidro y Las Torres)
• Oviedo Institute (Laico)
• UMED "Bachillerato" (Laico)
• Somnus School (Laico)
• Instituto de Investigación Pedagógica Pierre Faure (Laico)
• Don Bosco College (Salesians)
• Colegio Guanajuato (Laico)
• Colegio Centenario B. Chávez (Laico)
• Colegio Cuarto Centenario (Laico)
• Colegio Justo Sierra Méndez (Laico)
• Hispanic American Educational Complex (Laico)
• Conciliar Seminar (Catholic)
• La Paz Institute (Laico)
• Guadalupe Institute (Catholic)
• Colegio Valverde and Telléz (Catholic)
• Commercial School of Banking (Lay)
• Instituto Arista (Laico: San Isidro y Valtierra)
• Colegio Madiba (Laico)
• Instituto Bicentenario (Laico)
• Colegio Albanta (Laico)
• Instituto Mundo Verde (Laico)
• Colegio Cristóbal Colón (Laico)
• Colegio Valladolid (Laico)
• Latin American Multiversity (Lay)
• Instituto Edunova (Laico)
• School for the Future (Catholic)
• Colegio Pio XII- Colegio Pio Libertad (Catholic)
• German College (Lay)
• Bachelor Alonso Espino (Preparatory) (Laico)
• Institute Octavio Paz (preparatory (lay)
• The Bajío Mixology Institute (Barman Training)

Higher level institutions

Public

• UNAM. Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
• IPN.- National Polytechnic Institute
• UAM. Metropolitan Autonomous University
• UG.- Benemérita y Autónoma, Universidad de Guanajuato
• ITNAM.- Instituto Tecnológico Nacional de México
• UTL.-Universidad Tecnológica de León
• UPN.- National Pedagogical University
• UPB.- Bicentennial Polytechnic University
• UVEG.- Universidad Virtual del Estado de Guanajuato
• SABES. Advanced High School and Higher Education System

Private

• UIA. Universidad Iberoamericana
• ITESM.- Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
• UA.- Universidad Anáhuac Pontifical Headquarters Instituto Juan Pablo II (Red Universidad Anáhuac)
• UDLSB.- University of La Salle Bajío
• UFM. Franciscan University
• CEFTA.- Centro de Estudios Filosóficos Tomás de Aquino
• UVM.- University of the Valley of Mexico
• UNIVA. University of the Atemajac Valley
• UDL.- University of León
• EBC.- Banking and Commercial School
• UNITEC.- Technological University of Mexico
• UNIPRO.- International University of Professions
• ULA. Universidad Latinoamericana
• UNEA.- University of Advanced Studies
• UIN. Insurgency University
• UMED.- Mexican University of Distance Education
• UEPCA.- Universidad de Estudios Profesionales de Ciencias y Artes
• ICON. ICON University (formerly Polytechnic of Guanajuato)
• UM.- Meridiano University
• UML.- Universidad Magno
• UHM.- World University
• UICEL.- ICEL University
• UESJ. - Universidad de Estudios Superiores Juventus
• UCEM. University of the Center of Mexico
• UCA. American Continent University
• EUI.- Intercultural University
• UCE. Champs Elysées University
• UAD. Universidad Autónoma de Durango
• CEH.- Hispanic American Educational Complex
• CLE.- Colegio de León
• CUIM.- Centro Universitario Internacional de México
• CLEU.- Free College of University Studies
• ESMA.- Automotive Mechatronic School

Research institutions and innovation parks

• CIATEC. Innovation Center Applied in Competitive Technology.
• CIO.- Optical Research Centre.
• DCI.- Division of Science and Engineering at the University of Guanajuato.
• DCS.- Division of Health Sciences of the University of Guanajuato.
• DCSH.- Division of Social Sciences and Humanities of the University of Guanajuato.
• UACA.- Academic Unit for Culture and Arts of the University of Guanajuato.
• GTP.- Guanajuato Tecno Parque de la Universidad de Guanajuato.
• IUAC. Unidad de Innovación, Aprendizaje y Competitividad de la Universidad Iberoamericana.
• CIEN.- CIEN Technological Park of the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.
• PI. ULSA. University of La Salle Innovation Park.

Associations, chambers and schools

• IMEF Guanajuato Mexican Institute of Finance Executives
• AIESEC.- International Association of Students in Economic and Commercial Sciences. Local Lion Committee.
• AAM.- AIESEC Alumni Mexico Bajío Chapter.
• AAIBEROL. Asociación Alumni Ibero León AC.
• AMMJE.- Asociación Mexicana de Mujeres Empresarias AC Capítulo León.
• ANPIMEX (formerly ANPIC).- Asociación de Empresas Proveedoras Industriales de México AC.
• ASOCAVIC.- Asociación de Avicultores de León.
• AFAPE. Association of Families and Friends of Schizophrenic Patients.
• AMED.- Asociación Mexicana de Diabetes en Guanajuato.
• YMCA.- Christian Youth Association.
• CANACINTRA.- National Chamber of the Transformation Industry.
• CANACO.- National Chamber of Commerce.
• CANIRAC. National Chamber of the Food and Restaurant Industry. Leon delegation.
• CARITAS.- Caritas de León AC.
• CARPI.- House of Assistance and Rehabilitation for Indigentes.
• CMIC.- Mexican Chamber of the Construction Industry.
• CICEG.- Guanajuato State Footwear Industry Chamber.
• CICUR.- Chamber of the Industry of the State of Guanajuato.
• CONEC.- National Chamber of Consulting Companies. Guanajuato delegation.
• CONACAR.- National Chamber of Cargo Cargo.
• COPARMEX.- Patronal Confederation of the Mexican Republic. ZM León (Leon, Silao, San Francisco and Purísima)
• Colegio de Ingenieros Civil de León A. C.
• Colegio de Arquitectos de León A. C.
• Colegio de Ingenieros Topographers de León A. C.
• Colegio de Técnicos Profesionales en Construcción de León. A. C.
• Colegio de Médicos del Estado de Guanajuato A. C. (COMEGFEM)
• Colegio de Ingenieros Mecánicos Electricistas y Professiones Afines de León, A. C.
• Colegio de Profesionales de la Enfermería de León A. C.
• Colegio de Médicos Especialistas Certificates del Estado de Guanajuato A. C.
• Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis Society of Centre A. C.
• Colegio de Médicos Veterinarios Zootecnistas de León A. C.
• Colegio de Médicos Generales de Guanajuato A. C.
• Asociación Dental de León, Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas A. C.
• Colegio de Médicos Veterinarios Zootecnistas del Estado de Guanajuato A. C.
• A.C. College of Nurses.
• Colegio de Químicos de León A. C.
• Colegio de Contadores Públicos de León A. C.
• Colegio de Ortodoncia y Ortopedia Maxilofacial de León A. C.
• Colegio de Valuadores de León A. C.
• Colegio de Endodoncistas de Guanajuato A.C
• Colegio de Biologists de Guanajuato A.C
• Colegio de Licenciados en Contaduría Pública y Finance de León A. C.
• Colegio de Ciencias Forenses del Bajío A. C.
• Colegio de Notarios de León A. C.
• Colegio de Profesionales de la Psicología del Estado de Guanajuato A. C.
• Colegio de Abogados de León A. C.
• Colegio de Cirujanos Dentistas de León A. C.
• Colegio de Pediatras del Estado de Guanajuato, Capítulo León A. C.
• Asociación de Médicas Guanajuatenses A. C.
• Colegio de Ginecología y Obstetricia de León, A. C.
• College of Radiology and Image of the State of Guanajuato A. C.
• Colegio de Economistas del Estado de Guanajuato A. C.
• Colegio de Ingenieros en Sistemas del Estado de Guanajuato A. C.
• Colegio de Anestesiologists de León A. C.
• Asociación de Oftalmológica de León A. C.
• Colegio de Maestros en Valuación de León A. C.
• Colegio de Licenciados en Administración León A. C.
• Colegio de Nutriólogos de León A. C.
• Colegio de Psicólogos de León, A. C.
• Colegio de Cirujanos Plásticos, Estéticos y Reconstructivos de Guanajuato, A. C.
• Colegio Municipal de Ortopedia y Traumatología de León, A. C.
• Colegio de Diseñores Industriales de León A. C.
• Colegio de Optometristas de León A. C.
• Colegio Leonés de Médicos Veterinarios Zootecnistas A. C.
• Colegio de Mercadólogos de León A. C.
• Colegio de Neurocirugía de León A. C.
• Observatorio Ciudadano de León A. C.
• Rural Action A. C.

Sports

Lion Club Stadium.

Football

The city has had 4 professional teams that have played in the highest categories of Mexican soccer: Club León founded in 1944 in the case of the men's branch and also in the women's branch founded in 2016 (still without no title in the Women's Soccer League), in the case of the men's branch, it has to its credit 8 titles in the First Division of Mexico (Seasons 1947-1948, 1948-1949, 1951-1952, 1955-1956, 1991-1992, A 2013, C 2014 and Guardianes 2020), 5 Mexico Cups (1948-1949, 1957-1958, 1966-1967, 1970-1971 and 1971-1972) and 5 Champion of Champions (1948, 1949, 1956, 1971 and 1972), this club has been the first team "Campeonísimo" in Mexico, because in 1948, he won the League and Cup championship at the same time. In total he adds 17 titles; placing it as the third most successful team in tournaments in Mexico. El León has made history in Mexican soccer, in the 2019 Clausura tournament, since it has achieved twelve consecutive wins, which sets a record for Liga MX. Said streak achieved by the emeralds leaves behind what was done by Cruz Azul in the 1971-72 season, who achieved -at that time- 10 victories in a row; La Máquina culminated that campaign with the league title. The Club Deportivo Unión de Curtidores was founded on August 15, 1928. Due to the number of years and history, the club has a great tradition in the city, despite the fact that throughout its history it has not won a soccer title. renown. And the fourth team is The San Sebastián Club was a soccer team that played in the First and Second Mexican division. They were known as the Saints of León. The nickname that the team received comes from the Patron Saints of the city San Sebastián and San Martín. From the 1945-1946 season to the 1950-1951 season, the team would play in the first division. There were 5 seasons where he failed to get past mid-table and where his best position was 6th achieved in the 1947-1948 and 1948-1949 seasons, with 28 points on both occasions. The team descended to the newly formed Second Mexican Division in 1951 under the command of Argentine Marcos Aurelio. Thus becoming the first team to be relegated in the history of Mexican soccer, Zacatepec would take its place.

Club León for the 2013 Opening and 2014 Closing Tournaments, becomes two-time champion of Mexico for the second time in its history; The first was during the 1947-1948 and 1948-1949 seasons, being the first team in the country to achieve this feat in long and short tournaments. Which allows him to play two continental tournaments; the 2014 Conmebol Libertadores Cup, this was the first occasion for the club in this fair, reaching the round of 16. In the 2015 Concacaf Champions League tournament, it was his second participation, since in his first he was runner-up in the 1993 edition. In 2017 the club will celebrate its 73rd anniversary, making it one of the oldest in the league where he plays.

The city has a stadium with a long tradition in the country. The Estadio León in its colloquial name or Nou Camp in its official name, built in 1967 with a capacity for 35,000 spectators, which has been a sub-venue for the 68 Mexico Olympics, venue for the 83 Mexico Youth World Cup and venue for the World Cups. Mexico 70 and Mexico 86, currently home to Club León. The city had El Estadio La Martinica from 1950-2017 for 11,000 spectators, which for years was the home of Club León, Unión de Curtidores and San Sebastián, due to the growth of the City, this stadium was demolished and in its place is developed a commercial and housing complex, prior to the two aforementioned, there was the Patria Stadium and the Enrique Fernández Stadium, both demolished. Due to the importance of having new, more comfortable and efficient spaces, the possibility of a Sports District in the Maravillas Station Area of the Optibús Integrated Transport System is being considered, where it is planned to include a new stadium for soccer, one for baseball and a multipurpose auditorium for basketball, volleyball and space for other disciplines such as squash, frontenis, tennis. In addition to including green areas, a sports hospital and a University of Soccer and Sports Sciences León Headquarters and a Leather and Footwear Museum.

Basketball

Dome of the Fair. See of the Bees of León.

In the city there have been three professional teams of this sport in the men's field. The most representative and most traditional is called Lechugueros, this because there were large extensions of lettuce plantations in this city. In 1971 he was crowned champion of the Mexican Basketball Circuit.

The second franchise is the Titánicos that played in the National Professional Basketball League of Mexico (LNBP), this franchise ceased to exist in 2015. Currently the team of the city and third in the history of this They are the Bees of the University of Guanajuato, who previously played in Guanajuato Capital and made their move in 2016 being the representative team of the State of Guanajuato in the LNBP.

The Administration of the Bees of León, also has a representative in the Women's LNBP called Mieleras de Guanajuato that is based at the University of Guanajuato and holds its matches in the Auditorium of the Juan José Torres Landa Sports Unit of the State Capital, champions in 2022.

The 3 men's squads had the Dome of the Fair as their official headquarters, although when the León Fair took place, the alternate venue was the Antonio “Tota” Carbajal Sports Unit Auditorium.

Baseball

"The Fortress" Baseball Stadium of the Lion Bravos.

The city has the Domingo Santana Baseball Park, which was home to the Cubs from 1979 to 1980, the Lechugueros from 1981 to 1982, and the Braves from 1983 to 1991, the latter a historic team in the Mexican League and champion in 1990. In November 2016, the news of the return of the Braves to the Mexican Baseball League in March 2017 was announced.

There is talk of a remodeling of the Domingo Santana Baseball Park, of approx. An investment of 30 million pesos to renovate the filling, increase the capacity from 4,000 to 10,000 fans, the placement of an electronic blackboard and a giant screen, in addition to the expansion of the parking space, mainly. The objective is that the renovation of the sports property also serves for the creation of baseball academies and for the games of the municipal leagues, among other activities related to the king of sports. The team has been acquired by the Multimedios group, and will be a subsidiary of the Sultans of Monterrey.

Volleyball

There are two representative teams, one for women and the other for men in the recently created Mexican Volleyball League; which are called Virtus Volley Club León in the case of men and Panteras de Guanajuato with the ladies. Which play as locals in the Auditorium of the Macrocentro León 1.

American Football

The León American Football League organizes tournaments for high school and university teams, some of the teams are: Cubs, Gladiators, Espartans, Búhos from CETis 77, Lobos from CETis 21, Wild Sheep from Tec de Monterrey, Leones from the Technological University, Trojans from the Technological Institute, Red Heads from the Insurgentes University, Bees from the University of Guanajuato, Jaguars from the Hispano-American Institute, Eagles from the Uriel College and Gray Wolves.

There are also two representative teams in the Mexican Lingerie Football League; being the first semi-professional team in that discipline in the city, called 'as Esmeraldas and the second Las Fieras, teams that train in different gyms in the city and receive visitors from other states in the Fair Dome.

The State Association of Tochito Bandera de Guanajuato, is a successful organization of the non-contact American football modality, unique in the entire region affiliated with the Mexican American Football Federation, and that has youth and adult teams.

There is also a league for veterans who belong to the different teams in the city and which is generally made up of people over 30 years of age, who played in the school categories and remain active in said league.

Rugby

There is a representative of the city, within the Mexican Rugby Federation, which is called Guerreros León Rugby Football Club; founded in 2010. This team trains at the Club Britania facilities and develops its home matches at the facilities of both the Lux Institute, Ibero León, ITESM Campus León and on some occasions at the Parque del Árbol Sports Unit.

Tennis

It is practiced at the State Sports Center (U. D. Enrique Fernández Martínez) and in private clubs such as Atenas, Britania, Campestre, Punto Verde, El Bosque and Los Naranjos. The most important professional tennis tournament in the city is the Challenger Tournament that takes place once a year at Club Britania.

Athletics

The León Independencia Marathon is held in September, the 21 km Barrios race, as well as the Comanja race and several 10 km races organized by Club Britania, Club León FC, Sport City, Sports World, Club Deportivo Punto Verde and others. It is a discipline that currently has had a boom and growth in the city, with more constant organization of races.

Water sports

The city has hosted the FINA Diving Grand Prix, this event took place during 2015 at the facilities of the Impulso Guanajuato Aquatic Center and served as the framework for the inauguration of said center. A large infrastructure has been developed, both public and private, for the development of athletes in aquatic disciplines (Swimming, Synchronized Swimming, Jumping and Water Polo).

Aquatic Centers:

• Sportif
• "Macrocentro Deportivo" (public)
• State Sports Unit "Enrique Fernández Martínez" (public)
• Sports Unit Antonio "Tota" Carbajal (public)
• IMSS Aquatic Center (public)
• Club Campestre
• British Club "Nelsón Vargas Aquatic Center"
• Club Loyola
• Club Punto Verde
• Bosque Country Club
• Aquatic Lux
• Centro Aquatico del Tec de Monterrey
• Club Sport City
• Club Sports Word
• Life and Fitness
• Mykonos Fitness Center
• Brafer Sport Acuatic

The 3m springboard category has produced the only Olympic medalist from this city; The diver Laura Sánchez Soto.

Winter sports

The "Copa del Bajío" is an event organized by the Winter Sports Association of the State of Guanajuato in coordination with the Ice Sport Center ice rink, with the endorsement of the Mexican Federation of Ice Skating and Winter Sports (FEMEPASHIDI).

Golfing

The city has several private golf clubs, such as El Campestre, Los Naranjos, La Hacienda, El Molino, Las Nubes and El Bosque. The latter being the headquarters of the El Bosque México Championship, for 7 years, and in 2015 it will take place from April 12 to 19. This tournament is the gateway to the world's top golf circuit, the 2016 PGA Tour.

Motor Racing

The Corona Rally Mexico is a great event for rally cars. It is a date of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC), it entered the world championship calendar in 2004 and is currently the only WRC event developed in North America.

Most of the timed stages take place in the mountains located around the cities of León, Silao, Guanajuato Capital and part of Irapuato, although it has some street stages both in León and in the City of Guanajuato and a superspecial at the Autodromo de León. The Campus Rally of the event is concentrated in the Polifórum León.

In the city every Thursday and Friday night various car clubs (Tuning, by brand, by model) meet in shopping center parking lots or generally in the Polifórum León and Parque Los Carcamos.

Motorcycling

The city of León was confirmed as the venue for the penultimate date of the MX1 Motocross World Championship in 2016. The Parque Metropolitano will be the venue where this motorcycling championship takes place and a track will be built with private initiative of first level that will measure 1.5 km in its facilities.

Cycling

The city has a great tradition in this discipline and there is a velodrome (currently in disuse so a new one is needed) in the Luis I. Rodríguez Sports Unit: also known as Deportiva del Coecillo or Deportiva Uno. Among the main events that professional cycling has in Mexico is the Tour of Mexico. Which is a cycling road race in stages that takes place in the Republic.

This metropolis has been part of each of its editions. In 2015, the Vuelta a México will be in the city on April 29, being the second stage of 6 that it has. This is from the City of San Luis to León and it will pass through Paseo de los Insurgentes avenue and López Mateos and Vasco de Quiroga boulevards.

León hosted the 2015 Pan American Cycling Championship; This took place from May 5 to 10 on Timoteo Lozano and Francisco Villa Boulevards.

Mushrooming on Dry Land

The dog sled race or mushing, although it is currently considered a sport, has been (and still is) a form of transport characterized by the use of draft dogs and skis, which were used to navigate snowy surfaces with speed. The term comes from an order in the French language, to start the march as "go ahead", "run away", "come on", for the team to start shooting. Currently, the term mush is rarely used, but the runner in this modality is called a musher or sled guide.

In countries that do not have snow, the races practiced with draft dogs (sled dogs), are called mushing on dry land. In the city of León, there are currently several teams and civil associations dedicated to the practice and promotion of this sport, among which we can highlight Urban Mushing León, APTEG A. C., and RivHer Dog Racing, which over the years have strengthened to this city as one of the greatest exponents of this sport and as a power within it in its different modalities.

These three teams have different championships to their credit, standing out in all modalities of this sport, such as canicross, bikejoring, scotter and rig (dirt sled).

Bullfighting and equestrian events

The main bullfighting events in León take place on 2 dates: The first is the bullfighting serial of the León State Fair; same that takes place between the month of January and February of each year. The second is the traditional Guadalupana bullfight that is celebrated on December 12; both having as stage the Plaza de Toros de la Santísima Virgen de La Luz.

In equestrian events there is the Bosque León Polo Cub that takes place on May 23 and 24, 2015 and where more than 50 horses and 16 polo players will be. The takeoff area of the balloon festival in the Parque Metropolitano de León will be the setting for this sporting event.

Another very important event in the region is "Equus; The Festival of Man and Horse" which in 2015 will take place between September 5 and 9 at the Polifórum León facilities, this event is an equestrian fair that offers products, services and shows related to the horse industry.

Sports units

• U. D. Enrique Fernández Martínez: named in honor of the governor of the state of Guanajuato during the periods 1935-1938 and 1939-1943 and known as “State Sports”, was the first sports unit inaugurated in León, built between 1962 and 1963 by mandate of the then governor Juan José Torres Landa. It has spaces for basketball, baseball, soccer, skating, athleticism, volleyball, swimming, Olympic gymnastics, shooting polygon, archery field, tennis, multipurpose auditorium, nail pit, paddles and children's games, as well as numerous classes and courses. Originally it had a small zoo that would later be moved to its current headquarters. It is located in the eastern entrance of the city, in Blvd. Adolfo López Mateos esq. Paseo de Jerez, Col. Julián de Obregón. (South-Eastern Zone)
• U. D. Antonio “Tota” Carbajal: named in honor of the Mexican football player, it has wide spaces and Uruguayan football pitches, soccer with tribunes, frontón, basketball, normal volleyball and beach; as well as a multipurpose auditorium and a heated Olympic pool. It is located in Av. Ceferino Ortiz s/n, Col. Satellite.
• U. D. Jesús Rodríguez Gaona: also known as Deportiva de San Miguel, has spaces for basketball, football pitch, fast football, tennis, volleyball, athletics and children's games. Blvd. Juan José Torres Landa s/n, Col. Portales de San Sebastian. (Zona Sur- Poniente)
• U. D. León I: with areas for basketball, baseball, soccer, fast football and children's games. Blvd. Juan Alonso de Torres s/n, Col. León I (on the side of the Mexican Red Cross). It will be transformed into the High Performance Centre of the State Commission on Sport and Youth Care (C.E.D.A.J.) (Nor-Eastern Zone)
• U. D. Luis I. Rodríguez: also known as Deportiva del Coecillo or Deportiva 1, it has spaces for basketball, soccer, frontón, athletics, boxing gym, volleyball auditorium, Olympic velodrome (In disuse and poor condition) and children's games, as well as being the complex where the already mentioned Sunday Santana baseball park is located. It's located in Blvd. Congress of Chilpancingo S/N Col. Deportiva 1. (North-Eastern Zone)
• U. D. East: Located in the 10th of May colony, it has four multipurpose courts, a playground, a palapas area, football pitches, mini fields of the same sport and the popular and famous Parque Extremo, for bike lovers and skateboarding. (South-Eastern Zone)
• U. D. Chapalita Park: a large lung that gives life to the area, because it has a beautiful lagoon around which you can enjoy an excellent roast or outdoor living with the family, for its large green areas. It has an aerobic track that surrounds the whole park and measures little more and a half, as well as palapas, parking, basketball courts, volleyball, fast football, Uruguayan soccer, children's spaces and the famous "islote" that is located in the middle of the lagoon, which can be used for children's parties. It's located in Blvd. Campeche s/n, Col. Chapalita.
• U. D. Parque Del Árbol: has football pitches, basketball, aerobic track, palapas area, dining area, parking, children's area and playground. It's located in Blvd. Juan José Torres Landa s/n, Col. Prados Verdes. (Zona Sur)

Notable personalities

International relations

Twin cities

List of sister cities of León:

• Zurich, Switzerland.

Consulates

• Honorary Consulate of Germany.
• Consulate General of Japan.
• Honorary Consulate of Spain.
• Consulate of Italy, soon.

The city of León received the certification that makes it the American Capital of Sport 2023, by the Association of European Capitals of Sport (ACES) America. This after a major evaluation that took less than two months.

For León to receive said appointment, ACES evaluated its history, sports infrastructure, public policies, physical activation and sports programs; as well as being the venue for major sporting events of national and international stature, which helped to cover the 93 points required to win the candidacy.

“Today León won a star in sports”, said Ale Gutiérrez Campos, municipal president during the announcement. The Domingo Santana stadium was the setting where Hugo Alonso, general secretary of ACES Europe, representing Gian Francesco Lupattelli, president of ACES Europe, presented the award that gives the city its hallmark.

Predecessor: Cali

American Sports Capitals 2023

Successor:

Visit of Benedict XVI

On March 20, 2012, Pope Benedict XVI visited the country for the first and only time, and he did so in the city of León. He officiated a mass in the Cathedral Basilica of León and in the Bicentennial Park, to which thousands of people attended. During his stay, he stayed at the Miraflores School (Slaves of the Eucharist), where the night before he left he blessed the city.