90 kilometres south of the city of Guanajuato and in the middle of the volcanic area is a settlement that was founded in 1607 in the village known as Camémbaro, which in purépecha means "valley of the artemisias" (a very fragrant plant). Toward the end of the 17th century the Hospital de Tarascos was founded here to care for the natives who were victims of epidemics devastating the population.

Its great demographic growth and participation in processes of urbanisation and industrial and touristic development with the architectural works of its own renowned Francisco Eduardo Tresguerras has placed it among the most important cities of the state, in addition to possessing an excellent location and easy access by double-lane highways. Famous for its high quality in the production of custard creams, as well as its delicious "cajetas", which can be found in a wide variety of flavours such as vanilla, wine-coloured, burnt, and with pecans, pine nut and coconut.