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Puerto Vallarta

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Puerto Vallarta is a major resort city located in Mexico. It sits on the Pacific coast within the state of Jalisco.

Puerto Vallarta 071
Puerto Vallarta 071

The city is situated near the large Bahía de Banderas. This bay is a prominent feature of the local geography. Puerto Vallarta is the second largest urban area in Jalisco. It follows the Guadalajara metropolitan area in size. The city serves as the government seat for its own municipality. This municipality extends from Boca de Tomatlán to the Ameca River.

Puerto Vallarta Vista Panorámica
Puerto Vallarta Vista Panorámica

The physical landscape of the region is quite distinct. The city occupies a narrow coastal plain. This plain lies at the base of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. Specifically, it sits below the Sierras Cuale and San Sebastián. Three main rivers flow from these mountains toward the sea. These rivers are the Cuale, the Pitillal, and the Ameca.

Rio Cuale (16267677544)
Rio Cuale (16267677544)

Many residential areas are located within the river valleys. Some development has also spread up the surrounding hillsides.

The history of the area involves many different cultures and events. Archaeological evidence suggests human habitation dating back to 580 BC. The region was once part of the Aztlán culture.

Puerto Vallarta cathedral 1
Puerto Vallarta cathedral 1

The name Bahía de Banderas likely comes from a Spanish encounter. Legend says local warriors were mesmerized by the flags, or "banderas," carried by soldiers. Another location, Playa de Los Muertos, earned its name from a shipwreck. In that event, many sailors died and their bodies washed ashore. The modern village was officially founded on December 12, 1851. It was originally named Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe.

Puerto Vallarta grew from a small village into a large city during the 20th century. The Mexican government invested heavily in local infrastructure. They developed an international airport to allow for jet aircraft travel. They also built highways and utility systems to support growth. A major milestone occurred on June 1, 1970. This was the inauguration of the El Salado wharf. This development made Puerto Vallarta the first harbor town in Jalisco.

Puerto Vallarta downtown street
Puerto Vallarta downtown street

The climate in Puerto Vallarta is classified as Tropical wet and dry. This means the region experiences distinct seasons. The rainy season runs from mid-June through mid-October. August is typically the wettest month with significant precipitation. Most of this rain arrives in large, sudden storms. The winter months are much drier with less cloud cover.

Playa de Los Muertos
Playa de Los Muertos

While hurricanes are rare, they can cause damage. In 2015, Hurricane Patricia was forecast to hit the area. It was the most powerful cyclone ever measured in the Western Hemisphere. Fortunately, the storm weakened before reaching the city.

The economy of the city is driven almost entirely by tourism. Nearly 80% of the workforce is employed in tourism-related industries. These jobs include positions in hotels, restaurants, and transportation.

Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta (2014) - 91
Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta (2014) - 91

This industry supports the large hotel zones found along the shore. The city is divided into several main areas for residents and visitors. The Centro is the oldest section of the town. It is located near the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Crkva u meksičkom gradu Puerto Vallarti
Crkva u meksičkom gradu Puerto Vallarti

Other areas include the northern hotel zone and the southern Zona Romántica.

Geological and social factors continue to shape the city today. The area is prone to seismic activity. This means earthquakes can affect the region. In 1995, an earthquake near the Colima coast shook the city. It even caused damage to the top of the local Catholic church.

Puerto Vallarta cathedral 1
Puerto Vallarta cathedral 1

The city also faces challenges regarding rapid urban growth. During the mid-1980s, many impromptu communities grew quickly. These areas sometimes lack basic services like water and sewage. The government has worked to develop housing to address these needs.

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🖼️ Images & Media (15)
File:PVE logo (Mexico).svg
PVE logo (Mexico).svg
File:Balboa südsee.jpg
Balboa südsee.jpg
File:Crkva u meksičkom gradu Puerto Vallarti.jpg
Crkva u meksičkom gradu Puerto Vallarti.jpg
File:Puerto Vallarta 071.jpg
Puerto Vallarta 071.jpg
File:Puerto Vallarta Vista Panorámica.jpg
Puerto Vallarta Vista Panorámica.jpg
File:Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta (2014) - 91.JPG
Velas Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta (2014) - 91.JPG
File:Puerto Vallarta (February 22, 2023) - 48.jpg
Puerto Vallarta (February 22, 2023) - 48.jpg
File:Playa de Los Muertos.jpg
Playa de Los Muertos.jpg
File:Puerto Vallarta downtown street.jpg
Puerto Vallarta downtown street.jpg
File:Puerto_Vallarta_cathedral_1.jpg
Puerto_Vallarta_cathedral_1.jpg
File:Playa Conchas Chinas.jpg
Playa Conchas Chinas.jpg
File:Rio Cuale (16267677544).jpg
Rio Cuale (16267677544).jpg

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