Oaxaca City

Oaxaca is a big city in Mexico.

It sits in a green valley. The city is near a river called the Atoyac.

The city is near some high hills. It is also near old sites like Monte Albán. Many people visit to see these places.

Some buildings are made of green stone. This makes the city look very pretty. Many people come to see the old buildings.

There is a big festival called Guelaguetza. People show off music and dance there. It lasts for a whole month.

Oaxaca is a very special place to see.

Oaxaca City is a large city in Mexico.

It sits in a green valley. The city is near the Atoyac River. It lies at the base of a hill called Cerro del Fortín.

Many people visit this city. They come to see old sites like Monte Albán. This site is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it is a place of great value to the world. The city is also famous for the Guelaguetza. This is a big festival of music and dance. It lasts for one month.

Some buildings are made of a native green stone. This gave the city an old name, la Verde Antequera. The city was also named Antequera by the Spanish. In 1872, they added "de Juárez" to the name. This honors Benito Juárez. He was a man from this state who became president.

The center of the city has a big square. We call this the Zócalo. It has a bandstand and many trees.

Music groups play there for people to enjoy.

Oaxaca City is the largest city in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

It sits in a beautiful area called the Central Valleys. The city lies at the base of a hill named Cerro del Fortín. It also reaches out to the banks of the Atoyac River.

The city is part of a region with many green landscapes. It is a very busy place with many people living there. Many visitors come to see the many historic buildings and sites.

The city has a special tropical savanna climate. Because it sits at a high altitude, it stays cooler than the lowlands. During the dry season, the days are warm. However, the nights can be quite cool.

Most of the rain falls during the summer months. June is the wettest month of the year. This weather helps keep the surrounding valley looking very green. The high altitude makes the air feel different than at the coast.

Long ago, the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples lived in this valley. They built important ancient centers like Monte Albán.

The Aztecs arrived in the valley in 1440. They called the place Huaxyacac, which means "among the huaje trees."

Later, the Spanish arrived in 1521. They built a new city near the old Aztec military post. The Spanish named the settlement Guajaca, which later became Oaxaca. The city was also called Antequera for a long time.

Oaxaca has many interesting names and honors. In 1872, the name "de Juárez" was added to the city. This honors Benito Juárez, who was a president of Mexico. He was born in this state and led the country through hard times.

The city is also known as la Verde Antequera. This means "the green Antequera." This name comes from the green stone used to build many structures. The Zapotec people also have a name for the city, which is Ndua.

Today, tourism is a huge part of the city's economy.

About 77% of the people in the municipality work in tourism. People travel here to see the Guelaguetza festival. This is a month-long event with music and dance.

Visitors also love the Zócalo, which is the main square. The Zócalo has a lovely bandstand and many trees. It is a place where people gather to hear music. The city and Monte Albán are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Oaxaca de Juárez, often called Oaxaca, is the capital of the Mexican state of Oaxaca.

It serves as the municipal seat for the surrounding Oaxaca municipality. This area is the most populous municipality in the state. It is also the fourth most densely populated municipality in the region. The city sits within the Centro District of the Central Valleys. It is located in the foothills of the Sierra Madre mountains. The city sits at the base of the Cerro del Fortín. It also extends to the banks of the Atoyac River.

The city has a tropical savanna climate, known as Aw in the Köppen climate classification. This climate is shaped by the city's high altitude. Because it sits high up, Oaxaca is cooler than lowland areas at the same latitude. During the dry season, daytime temperatures remain warm. The warmest average high occurs in April. However, nighttime temperatures can be quite cool. In January, the average low temperature is quite low. Most precipitation occurs during the summer months. June is the wettest month, with an average precipitation of 115 mm.

The history of the region begins with the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples. They lived in the Oaxaca Valley for thousands of years. They established important ancient centers like Monte Albán and Mitla.

The Aztecs entered the valley in 1440. They named the area Huaxyacac, which means "among the huaje" trees. They built a military post at the Cerro del Fortín. This post helped them oversee the Zapotec capital of Zaachila. This position secured trade routes between the Valley of Mexico and Central America.

Spanish explorers arrived in the area in 1521. Captain Francisco de Orozco led the first expedition. He was accompanied by 400 Aztec warriors. Hernán Cortés sent Orozco because the Aztecs believed gold came from this region. The Spanish built a city near the Aztec military post. They initially named the settlement Guajaca, a Hispanicized version of the Nahuatl name. The settlement later became known as Antequera. In 1532, Charles V of Spain granted the village city status. This helped the city remain under the direct control of the Spanish Crown.

The city has many historical names and titles. It was once called la Verde Antequera, or "the green Antequera." This name refers to the native green stone used in many buildings. In 1872, the name "de Juárez" was added to the city. This honors Benito Juárez, a native of the state. He served as the president of Mexico from 1858 until his death in 1872. He led the country through major challenges, including a French invasion. The Zapotec people still use the name Ndua for the city.

Today, tourism is a major part of the local economy. Between 1984 and 2009, tourism became the dominant economic factor. About 77% of the employment in the municipality is related to tourism. The city is famous for the Guelaguetza festival. This is a month-long cultural event held in the summer. It features music and dances from the seven regions of Oaxaca. It also includes a beauty pageant for indigenous women.

The city and the Monte Albán site are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Plaza de la Constitución, or Zócalo, is the heart of the city. Juan Peláez de Berrio planned the plaza in 1529. During the colonial period, the plaza had no pavement or sidewalks. A marble fountain was installed there in 1739. This fountain was removed in 1857 to make room for a bandstand. The plaza features many trees and an Art Nouveau bandstand installed in 1901.

The Zócalo is a central place for social life and music. Nearby, the Benito Juárez Market offers a look at local life.

The city's history and culture continue to shape its modern identity.