The area was rich in silver and gold ore.

After Cortes conquered Tenochtitlan and learned that the Aztec Rulers received very rich tributes from that area he deployed units to the region and ultimately shifted those very large tributes to the Spanish Crown. In recompense he granted substantial land deeds in the region to those soldiers who carried out his command.

Historically, Iguala played a very important role in Mexico's Independence Movement. The Plan de Iguala signed by Vicente Guerrero and Agustin de Iturbide sealed Mexico's Independence which was subsequently ratified and accepted by Spain.