Santa María Quiegolani


Santa María Quiegolani is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico.
It is part of the Yautepec District in the east of the Sierra Sur Region.

Name

The name is derived from Zapotec meaning "ancient rock", "carved rock" or possibly "within the river".

Geography

The municipality covers an area of 122.48 km2 at an elevation of 2,160 meters above sea level in the Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. The climate is mild and humid.

Flora and fauna

Trees include pine, oak, mahogany, cedar, ash, Tepehuaje, guanacastle, cuachipilin, Nopo and pochote. Mango, plum, avocado, sapodilla, mamey, peach, granaditas, plum, orange and lemon grow in the area.
Wild animals include fox, coyote, cougar, deer, squirrel, badger, armadillo, ocelot, lion, raccoon, opossum, skunk, chupamiel, boar and tepexcuintle. There are iguana, lizard, chintete, turtle, rattlesnake, coral snake and boa.

Demography

As of 2005, the municipality had 317 households with a total population of 1,537 of whom 1,240 spoke an indigenous language. The main economic activity is agriculture, growing maize, sorghum, peanuts and other crops such as beans, coffee and various fruits. About 30% of households raise pigs or goats. Hunting and fishing are practiced for self consumption. There is some logging of maguey and timber.