San Felipe de Jesús, Sonora

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San Felipe de Jesús is a municipality and a municipal seat in the center of the Mexican state of Sonora. The municipal area is 152.8 km², with a population of 416 registered in 2000. [1] Most of the inhabitants live in the municipal seat. The population has been decreasing steadily since 1980.

San Felipe was founded in 1657, when Captain Juan Munguía Villela claimed the lands to establish a ranch for the extraction of minerals.

Neighboring municipalities are Banámichi, Aconchi, Opodepe, and Huépac. San Felipe is connected to Huépac and Aconchi by a two lane paved road, which links Mazocahui and Cananea.

The land is hilly with valleys and the main settlement lies at an elevation of 853 meters. The average annual rainfall is 468.8 mm. [2]

The region is crossed by the Río Sonora.

Agriculture and cattle raising are the two main economic activities. There were only 154 economically active inhabitants in 2000. [3] Corn and beans are raised for subsistence while grasses are grown for cattle fodder. The cattle herd numbered 3,000 head in 2000. [4]