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Jalisco

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Jalisco is a very important state in western Mexico.

Sierra Madre Occidental
Sierra Madre Occidental

It is one of 32 federal entities in the country. Six other states border Jalisco, including Nayarit and Zacatecas. The state is divided into 125 different municipalities. Its largest city and capital is Guadalajara.

Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (2021) - 063 (cropped)
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico (2021) - 063 (cropped)

This city is part of a huge metropolitan area. It is actually the third largest in all of Mexico.

Many famous parts of Mexican culture started right here.

Paisaje agavero de Jose Cuervo en Tequila, Jalisco
Paisaje agavero de Jose Cuervo en Tequila, Jalisco

You might know mariachi music or ranchera music. People also make tequila in this region. Other traditions include birria food and jaripeo. Because of this, the state motto is "Jalisco is Mexico." The state is also a big part of the economy. It ranks third in the country for its industries.

Humans have lived in this area for a very long time.

Guachimontones Jalisco - Esteban Tucci
Guachimontones Jalisco - Esteban Tucci

Nomadic people arrived about 15,000 years ago. Some of the oldest evidence shows people lived near Zacoalco and Chapala lakes.

Ajijic Malecon Sunset
Ajijic Malecon Sunset

These people made tools from bone and stone. Farming began in this region around 7,000 years ago. By 3,500 years ago, people were making clay pottery. Some of the oldest styles are called El Opeño and Capacha.

History in Jalisco changed many times as different groups arrived.

Jal-ixco
Jal-ixco

The Toltecs had a dominion called Xalisco in the year 618. Later, the Purépecha Empire became strong in parts of the state. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers arrived in the area. A man named Nuño de Guzmán led a group into Jalisco in 1529. He helped found the city of Guadalajara in 1531. The city moved four times before it found its modern home in 1542.

Today, many different kinds of people live in Jalisco.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (February 2023) - 305
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco (February 2023) - 305

The state is home to indigenous groups like the Huichols and the Nahuas.

You can also find many people from the United States and Canada. Many of these residents live near Lake Chapala or in Puerto Vallarta. The name Jalisco comes from a Nahuatl word. It means "over a sandy surface."

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🖼️ Images & Media (59)
Himno del estado de Jalisco.ogg
File:PAN Party (Mexico).svg
PAN Party (Mexico).svg
File:Logo Partido Movimiento Ciudadano (México).svg
Logo Partido Movimiento Ciudadano (México).svg
File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg
Morena logo (Mexico).svg
File:Logo Partido Verde (México).svg
Logo Partido Verde (México).svg
File:PRI logo (Mexico).svg
PRI logo (Mexico).svg
File:Guachimontones_Jalisco_-_Esteban_Tucci.jpg
Guachimontones_Jalisco_-_Esteban_Tucci.jpg
File:Jal-ixco.jpg
Jal-ixco.jpg
File:La amazona del Teatro Degollado (cropped).jpg
La amazona del Teatro Degollado (cropped).jpg
File:NunoBeltranGuzman-1 (cropped).jpg
NunoBeltranGuzman-1 (cropped).jpg
File:Basilica de Zapopan atrio.jpg
Basilica de Zapopan atrio.jpg
File:Acueducto de Santa María de los Ángeles, Jalisco.JPG
Acueducto de Santa María de los Ángeles,...

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