Guadalajara, Jalisco

Guadalajara is the capital and largest city of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is in the central region of Jalisco in the Western-Pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,460,148 inhabitants, it is Mexico's second most populous municipality. The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area includes seven adjacent municipalities with a reported population of 5,002,466 in 2019, making it the second most populous metropolitan area in Mexico.

History[edit | edit source]

Guadalajara was founded in 1542 by the Spanish conquistador Cristóbal de Oñate. It was named after the Spanish city of Guadalajara, with the name meaning "valley of stones". The city was a major center during the Mexican War of Independence, and was also a hub of the Cristero War (1926–1929).

Geography[edit | edit source]

Guadalajara is located in the central region of Jalisco, in the western part of Mexico, within the area known as Valle de Atemajac. The city's economy is based on industry, especially information technology, with a large number of international firms having manufacturing facilities in the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area.

Culture[edit | edit source]

Guadalajara is a cultural center of Mexico, considered by most to be the home of the mariachi genre of music and host to a number of large-scale cultural events such as the Guadalajara International Film Festival, the Guadalajara International Book Fair, and globally renowned cultural events which draw international crowds. It is also home to the C.D. Guadalajara, one of the most popular football clubs in Mexico.

Cuisine[edit | edit source]

The cuisine of Guadalajara is a reflection of the region's culture, with traditional dishes such as birria, torta ahogada, and tequila, which is produced in the nearby town of Tequila.