The municipal geohistorical problems of the Rayones case in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Abstract

This academic work aims to analyze the history of the municipality of  Rayones, Nuevo León, during the Porfirio Díaz era (1874–1911), emphasizing the importance of studying rural spaces rather than focusing exclusively on Monterrey and its metropolitan area, which usually dominates regional historiography. Through this research, the cultural, social, and economic richness of Rayones is highlighted, a municipality distinguished by its mountainous geography and its role as the state’s leading pecan producer, an activity that represents both the foundation of its economy and a core element of local identity. The study examines the town’s foundation in 1851 and its demographic evolution through the censuses of 1891, 1895, and 1900. These records reveal irregularities and adjustments resulting from both administrative inaccuracies and the influence of ecclesiastical authorities, who were often responsible for recording births and deaths. Such circumstances illustrate the challenges of census-taking during that period and raise questions about the reliability of official statistics. Beyond demographic aspects, this research also considers issues such as education, religion, and housing conditions. These elements are analyzed using Henri Lefebvre’s concept of lived space, which provides a framework for interpreting material structures and numerical data as reflections of broader cultural, social, and economic dynamics.