MapimÃÂ () is a city and municipal seat of the MapimÃÂ Municipality in the Mexican state of Durango. As of 2015, the town of MapimÃÂ had a population of 5,623. The Ojuela Mine, about southeast of MapimÃÂ, is a famous locality for mineral specimens, especially adamite.
When the Spanish first arrived in the Mapimàarea in the late 16th century, nomadic and semi-nomadic Native Americans such as the Tepehuan, Tobosos, and Cocoyones were the inhabitants. Mapimi was founded on July 25, 1598 by Agustin de Espinoza, a Jesuit priest, and Captain Antón de Zapata, a soldier. The settlement was named Santiago de MapimÃÂ. The name derives from the Cocoyones who called the area "Mapeme," meaning "high mountain." As with most early settlements in Northern Mexico, the abundant minerals in the area were the attraction for settlers.
The Toboso and other Indian groups began raiding in the MapimÃÂ area and participated in wars against Spanish settlements in 1644, 1667, and 1684. Most of the Indians were absorbed into the Spanish population in the 18th century.
Mapimàis located in the Bolsón de MapimÃÂ, a large area of desert and mountains in interior northern Mexico. The Bolsón is an endorheic basin, meaning that no rivers leave the basin to flow to the sea, but terminate, often in low-lying shallow endorheic lakes. The MapimàMountains (Sierra de MapimÃÂ) rise from the southern edge of the town of MapimÃÂ, reaching a maximum elevation of , southeast of the town. The Ojuela mine and the Ojuela Bridge, a high and long suspension bridge are located distant on the eastern slopes of the mountains. The MapimàSilent Zone is north in the MapimàBiosphere Reserve.
The town features a desert climate (in the Köppen climate classification BWh), with hot summers and mild winters. Nearly all the annual precipitation is received from the months of May to October.