Guadalajara (Mexico) is the capital and largest city of the state of Jalisco, as well as the district of the municipality with the corresponding name. It is located in the western part of the country and is considered the 10th largest city by population in Latin America. It was named after the Spanish Guadalajara, whose name in translation from the Andalusian dialect of the Arabic language means "river / valley of stones."
The city of Guadalajara is the cultural center of Mexico, as it is here that hosts international book fairs, film festivals and other major cultural events. In addition, there is the second largest football club in the country, the main rival of which is the capital's “America”. Guadalajara
FC is famous for participating in all seasons of the Examples and has never
flown out of it .
Climatic conditions
The climate of Guadalajara is subtropical. Movement to the north in the zone of inter-tropical convergence in summer causes heavy rain, while the rest of the year the climate is quite arid. The highest temperatures usually occur in May (up to +33 ... +39 ). March is considered the driest month, and July is the wettest , since during it more than a quarter of the average annual rainfall falls.
During the rainy seasons in Guadalajara, daytime storms often occur. They bring hail with them. Winter is very warm . Even in January, here the temperature is kept at +1 ... +25 . It never drops below zero. Cold fronts can sometimes bring warm light rain into the city , which usually lasts for several days. Snowfall is extremely rare. The penultimate one was in 1881, and the last in December 1997. This makes the village a real Mecca for tourists who are tired of almost constant cold.
Origin history
The toponym Guadalajara in Mexico changed its location several times. At first the city was in Messa del Cerro , now known as Nochistlan ( Zacatecas ). It was founded here on the orders of Nuño de Guzmán , who wanted to protect his conquests from hostile natives. About a year later (in 1533), the city was moved to the area near Tonala , and after another 4 years - to Tlakotan . At this time, the Spanish king Charles I granted the authorities of Guadalajara a coat of arms, which can still be seen in the city.
In 1543, the settlement was brutally attacked by the peoples of Porticakes , Kaksan and Zakateto , commanded by Tenamkli . It happened during the war in Mixton . Wicca Antonio de Mendoza had to crush the rebellion on his own after the Spaniards were defeated in several battles. For the sake of peace, he even made some concessions. In particular, he freed Indian slaves and granted them amnesty.
The village in those years barely survived the war, and residents thanked for the salvation of the archangel Michael, who, it is worth noting, is still considered the patron saint of the city. After the reign of peace, Guadalajara was once again moved, this time to the Atemajak Valley. Here she is to this day. The city was officially recognized on February 14, 1550 .
Further story
In 1563, the construction of the cathedral began in Guadalajara (Mexico). In 1575, Augustinians and Dominicans came, making the city a center of evangelism (the process of conveying the Good News of Jesus Christ). In 1669, the villages of Mekhikalsingo , Analko and Metskitan were added to the main part of the settlement . In 1792, a university was founded in Guadalajara on the site of the old college of Santo Thomas . Despite such an early foundation, he began to work only in 1925.
At the end of 1810, Miguel Hidalgo returned to Guadalajara, the remaining capital of Nueva Galicia. Initially, he himself and the army he brought were welcomed by the inhabitants with joy. In those days, the conditions were difficult for the workers, and Hidalgo promised to lower taxes and put an end to slavery. But the rebel army, with its mockery of the city dwellers, especially the royalists, made the people shudder with horror. Despite the fact that Hidalgo fulfilled his promise, the angry royalists attacked the city and won. The commander was forced to flee to Aguascalientes.
The state of Jalisco was founded in 1823, Guadalajara became its capital. In 1844 there was an uprising against the government of President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna . Soon it was suppressed, but during the time that Santa Anna was hiding in Guadalajara, Jose Joaquin Herrer came to power. In 1864, French troops entered the city, it was recaptured by the Mexicans 2 years later.
From 1884 to 1890, electricity was conducted in Guadalajara, railways were laid, and an observatory was equipped. In 1947, the first industrial park was created. In 1980, the city was divided between different segments of the population. Wealthy people tend to live in Hidalgo and Juarez in the southwest and northwest, and the lower ones in the center. A little later, this state of affairs changed a bit: the poor began to inhabit the periphery of the city, and the middle peasants and the rich moved in the direction of Zapopon .
In 1992, powerful explosions occurred in Guadalajara (Mexico): a mass of gasoline escaped from the sewer system and destroyed 8 km of the street in the city center. According to the official version, 206 died, about 500 were injured, and about 15 thousand people were left homeless. Cash damage ranged from 300 to 1 million dollars. The culprits were quickly found, but soon they were all freed.
Since 1996, divisions of multinational corporations began to open in Guadalajara: Kodak, Hewlett-Packard, Motorola and IBM. This led to an increase in the number of foreigners in the city and capital in the treasury. Conducting important international events, such as the first Cumbre Iberoamericana (1991) , the Third Summit of Heads of State and Government from Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union (2004) and the Pan American Games (2011) , allowed the village to become the second by economic importance, the city of Mexico.
Cultural life
Judging by the description of Guadalajara on Wikipedia, it is the main cultural center of Western Mexico and the second most important in the country. There are 6 universities, 2 culinary institutes, an art school, a large number of museums, including the Museum of Anthropology, the Children's Museum of Trompo Maggio and the Museum of Wax. Hospicio Cabañas is located in the historic city center and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. And the annual book fair brings together people from 35 countries.
Guadalajara is also famous for its musical works in the mariachi genre, despite the fact that this style appeared in the neighboring city of Kokul . It all started in 1907, when a group of performers performed on stage at the residence of President Porfirio Diaso . At that moment, visiting was the US Secretary of State John Milton Hay . This made music a symbol of the western part of Mexico, and after the migration of people from a settlement near Plaza Garibaldi , it became a symbol of Mexican identity. Today, Guadalajara hosts numerous festivals, which are played by mariachi musicians . They are traditionally brought together by people from different parts of the globe.
Guadalajara also has its own symphony orchestra called Orquesta Filarmónica de Jalisco (Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra). It was created by Jose Rolon in 1925. Until 1939, only the musicians themselves invested in its development, after which the authorities joined them. Then the Conciertos Guadalajara organization was created. She was involved in fundraising. In 1971, the orchestra received the status of a state. In different years, such famous musicians as Paul Badura-Skoda , Claudio Arrau , Jörg Demus , Henrik Schering , Nikanor Zabaleta , Placido Domingo , Kurt Riedl and Alfred Brendel performed with him. Today, the orchestra is headed by Marco Pariotto .
Popular cuisine
Every year in September the city hosts the International Fair of Gastronomy (Feria Internacional Gastronomía), where a large number of Mexican and international restaurants, bars, bakeries and cafes present their own dishes. People wondering, “ Where is Guadalajara located in Mexico? ” Is also often interested in what is interesting to try there from food. In fact, there are several national dishes:
- Birria - lamb meat in a spicy sauce, seasoned with all kinds of spices. Prepared in special leaves. Served in bowls with chopped onions, lime and tortillas .
- Oblong bun sandwiches with pork and other ingredients. Typically covered in red chili and tomato sauce.
- Bionico is a popular local dessert.
Of the dishes, garnish is popular here (soup stew of meat and various seasonings), pipipan (sauce from zucchini, peanuts and sesame seeds), Jericallas (dessert similar to a flan ). Of all the drinks, residents of the city prefer tea based on fermented corn, beer, wine and tequila.
Education system
There are several universities in Guadalajara at the moment, the most important of them was founded on October 12, 1791 by a special royal decree. Since then, he underwent a series of reorganizations. In 2012, he took 5th place among the best Mexican educational institutions. Also in the city are ITESO (Jesuit University), several private schools and ASFG (American Fund for the School of Guadalajara).
Architecture
The architecture in Guadalajara varies in style. For example, religious and cultural buildings located in the historic city center represent a rich mix of styles based on the cultural contributions of indigenous peoples. And boutiques and restaurants are created in the French Lafayette style. In addition, there are buildings created in accordance with the canons of neoclassicism (Teatro Degollado and Metropolitan Cathedral), Gothic architecture, art deco , postmodernism, baroque and eclecticism. The most famous architects: Rafael Urzua , Luis Barragan , Ignacio Diaz Morales , Pedro Castellanos , Eric Cufal , Julio de la Peña, Eduardo Ibáñez Valencia and Felix Aseves Ortega .
Famous people
In addition to architects, Guadalajara is the cradle and place of residence for many poets, writers, footballers, painters, directors , actors and so on. It is possible that you have heard at least one of the following names : Agustin Janes (writer and politician), Javier Hernandez (soccer player), Guillermo del Toro ( director and writer), Saul Alvarez ( boxer ), Andres Gardado (soccer player), Vicente Fernandez (singer, actor , director ), Alejandro Fernandez (singer), Sergio Perez (F1 racer), Gael Garcia Bernal ( actor ), Jimena Navaretta (actress, model, Miss World 2010), Alejandro Gonzalez Jr. ( boxer ) . For the sake of justice, it is worth noting that the list of eminent people who have visited, lived or are currently in the city does not end there, it can be continued indefinitely.
What to see and what to do?
Many people who only recently found out where Guadalajara is located in Mexico also ask what exactly can be seen there. In fact, there are many different places of interest. For example, you can visit various museums, theaters, libraries, galleries, cinema and concert halls or take a walk in the Institute of Culture of Cabanas (a UNESCO-protected facility) or the seat of the government, which was first occupied by the governors of New Galicia , and after Miguel Hidalgo ( it was here that he passed the law on the abolition of slavery in Mexico).
Other attractions in Guadalajara (Mexico) include the Jalisco Institute of Crafts , the Huyhol Museum of Handicrafts , and the Museum of Journalism and Graphic Art. If you get tired of inspecting the buildings, you can always ride a special express train that leaves the city early in the morning and returns in the evening. When traveling on it you will be able to visit various enterprises and distilleries involved in the production of tequila.
Nightlife in the city
According to reviews of Guadalajara (Mexico), there are many bars and restaurants that play live music, discos, shopping centers and other places that you can visit at night. Just remember to stay at a hotel before that. The most popular: La Villa de Ensuen boutique hotel (located in Tlakepac ), Hotel Morales (Mexican movie stars such as Maria Felix, Pedro Infante and Cantinflas once stayed here) and Hotel San Francisco Plaza (located in the city center).
Shopping in Guadalajara
During your stay in the city, do not forget to leave a place in the suitcase for gifts to loved ones. There are some wonderful items you can buy as a keepsake. In particular, it is glassware, ceramics, as well as leather goods. For gifts, you should visit Tlaquepaque (a village in the Guadalajara region), which has many workshops and craft shops. Another place to shop is Mercado Libertad (Latin America's largest gated market).
How to get to Guadalajara
You can get to the city by plane . The stopping point is Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costiglia International Airport (airport code GDL). You can search for tickets on the websites of Russian airlines. Just do not forget about time zones, so you do not have to go late at night . Time in Guadalajara differs from Moscow by 9 hours. That is, if in our capital, say, half past three in the evening, then in the Mexican city it is only half past six in the morning. Have a nice trip!