Iguala or Iguala de la Independencia, city (1990 pop. 83,412), Guerrero state, S Mexico, on the Cocula River. It is the communications, distribution, and processing center of the surrounding mining and agricultural region. There are frequent earthquakes. The city is famous historically as the place where Agustín de Iturbide, with the acquiescence of the guerrilla leader Vicente Guerrero, proclaimed the Plan of Iguala on Feb. 24, 1821. The plan's Three Guarantees provided for Roman Catholicism as Mexico's sole religion (thus confirming clerical privileges), absolute independence from Spain (preferably under a constitutional monarchy headed by Ferdinand VII or another member of the reigning Spanish family), and racial equality (the right of any person to hold office). The plan was discarded when Iturbide made himself emperor.

The historic city of Iguala de la Independencia is located 102 km (63 miles) from state capital Chilpancingo in the Mexican state of Guerrero. It stands on Federal Highway 95. Iguala is the municipal seat of the municipality of the same name, located in the north-central part of the state. The city had a 2005 census population of 110,390 and the municipality 128,444. The area of the municipality is 567.1 km² (218.96 sq mi). The city is the third-largest community in the state, after Acapulco and Chilpancingo.

Attractions

Among Iguala's main attractions are: the San Francisco Church, built in the 19th century and its surrounded by Tamarindo trees, and for that Iguala is also called "la Ciudad Tamarindera" (Tamarindo city) and the Lagoon of Tuxpan, characterized for its singular beauty. Iguala's local artisans manufacture gold and silver jewelry. General Vicente Guerrero was the first military leader to swear allegiance to the Mexican flag in Acatempan on March 12 1821. The Plan de Iguala (published on February 24 1821) ended the war of independence and was represented by a flag, called the flag of the three guarantees, which was made by José Magdaleno Ocampo. Thus the city of Iguala is called the birthplace of the modern Mexican flag. Each year a flag fair is held in Iguala. This fair is one of the most important festivities to the people of Iguala. It is celebrated with a float parade, cockfights, and handicraft exhibitions in late February.

References

• Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005 INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática
• Guerrero Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México