[2] There is a very high percentage of people who emigrate from the area to large cities in Mexico into the United States in order to find work.

This is particularly true for the small communities in the delegations of San Pedro Escanela, Ahuacatlán de Guadalupe and Santa Águeda.

The current building dates from 1886, sa the original one was destroyed while under repair, much like the church at San Pedro Escanela.

[2] San Pedro el Viejo has 516 inhabitants and it is mostly dedicated to seasonal agriculture and orchards with fruits such as apples, plums, pine nuts and peaches.

The climate is semi-hot and dry, with mostly seasonal agriculture of corn, beans, chili peppers, squash, tomatoes and onions as its primary economic activity.

[2] San Pedro Escanela has a population of 469, with agriculture as its main economic activity, including some fruit trees.

It was the head of a district called an Alcaldía Mayor from 1609 to 1675, when the depletion of local minerals cause the town to decline and the seat of government to move to Cadereyta.

The interior has two courtyards with arches and a fountain in the center, along with cells for the monks and a church which was never finished.

There is also a chapel and sacristy, which were built later by Mariano Aguilera from Querétaro, along with three other rooms in a separate area locally known as “El Conventito” (The Little Monastery).

[2] The San Antonio Escanelilla church was constructed in 1775 under local priest Francisco José de Esquivel.

[2] Cuatro Palos is a small village, whose main attraction is a lookout point over the various mountains of the area as well as the Bucareli Mission.

The area also offers hiking and paths with signs, camping, birdwatching and tours of local apple farms.

[7] At the top of the village there is the iconic Cuatro Palos gazer from which you can see the whole Sierra Gorda landscape.

Towns such as Bucarelli and Carricillo de Media Luna can be sighted from the top of the gazer.