Mexico States

The state of Aguacalientes is located midway between the center and west of Mexico, and is completely surrounded by the states of Jalisco and Zacatecas. It was the land of the fearless Chichimecs that fiercely resisted the Spanish conquistadors. Paradoxically, yet perhaps because of its numerous gold veins, Aguascalientes is one of Mexico?s most important colonial architectural sites.

The climate is pleasant, since most of the territory has a dry, semi-desert climate with summer rains.

The countryside ranges from forests to desert-like areas, with stunning sunsets. The abundance of hot water springs, after which it is named, means that the state has numerous recreational centers and spas. Its cultural activity, traditions and delicious cuisine, as well as its many fiestas, form an attractive mosaic that is well worth visiting.

Baja California is set in the far northeast of Mexico. Its shores are washed by the Pacific Ocean (to the west) and by the Sea of Cortés (to the east). It borders on Sonora to the northeast, Baja California Sur to the south and the North American state of California to the north.

The region was formerly inhabited by nomadic groups that left remarkable cave paintings as a testimony of their presence. Religion subsequently proved more effective than weapons in conquering the Indians and the remains of Jesuit missions can still be seen throughout the state.

This is one of the least humid areas in the world, with a dry, extreme climate. The landscapes are unusual, since the blue shades of the sea contrast with the desert and its steeply sloping mountain ranges covered with cactus. This strip of land contains fertile valleys and gorgeous beaches; its terrestrial and marine life is extremely varied while its wines and seafood are among the best in the country.

One of the states with the lowest population density, with fewer than 400,000 inhabitants. It was originally occupied by nomadic groups that left testimony of their presence in cave paintings. Baja California Sur was raised to the category of a state in 1974, when tourist resorts such as Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo were developed.

Like its northern counterpart, a trans-peninsular highway cuts through it from north to south.

In addition to the capes mentioned earlier, there are narrow canyons, the Sierra de la Giganta, and, to the south of La Paz, the state capital, the Sierra de la Laguna Biosphere Reserve, whose abundant vegetation and conifers are inhabited by endemic fauna; you can also swim in hot spring lakes. Visitors can ride mules or bicycles to the missions and fertile ranches built by the Jesuits over three hundred years ago.

Campeche is part of the enormous plain comprising the Yucatán peninsula, which it shares with Yucatán and Quintana Roo. It was inhabited by groups from the ancient Mayan culture, traces of which can still be seen in places like Edzná and Calakmul. On the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, in what was once the Mayan city of Ah Kin Pech ("place of the sun"), Francisco de Montejo el Mozo ordered the construction of Villa de San Francisco de Campeche.

Owing to its strategic location, it suffered numerous pirate attacks, as a result of which a defense system of walls and forts was built, traces of which still remain, giving it its distinctive appearance. The state?s surroundings are tropical, and unlike its neighbors on the peninsula, it has several rivers, in addition to beaches, archaeological sites, colonial buildings, nineteenth-century haciendas and nature reserves with an astonishing variety of flora and fauna.

Chiapas, a state in the southeast of Mexico, is full of contrasts. Its geographical and cultural diversity, complex history, natural richness and variety of ethnic groups make it one of the country?s most attractive tourist destinations.

Chiapas is virtually synonymous with nature. This green strip of Mexico contains one of the most complex biotic diversities in the country. It has mountain ranges, rivers, volcanoes, plains, canyons, waterfalls, lakes, cloud forests, coast and savannah. Much of its territory is considered a nature reserve, and supports an astonishing range of flora and fauna. Its attractions include archaeological sites, colonial cities, nature reserves, Indian communities, beaches and places for engaging in open-air sports and ecotourism.

It has two of the largest, most spectacular rivers in the country, the Grijalva and the Usumacinta.

This is the largest state in Mexico and is located in the north of the country. It borders on Durango and Sinaloa to the south, Sonora to the west, Coahuila to the east and Texas and New Mexico to the north.

It was inhabited by several Indian groups, although it is best known today for the Rarámuri that inhabit the Sierra Tarahumara. One site worth visiting is the pre-Hispanic zone of Paquimé in Casas Grandes. Other interesting sites include Hidalgo del Parral, the former capital of Nueva Vizcaya and mining towns such as San Francisco del Oro, Santa Bárbara and Valle de Allende. The state is divided into three main regions: the central tableland, with plains and mining areas, the Sierra Madre Occidental, consisting of canyons and ravines, and the desert zone. The state has everything from cold mountain to hot desert climates, including the tropical humidity found in the depths of its ravines.

Coahuila, a border state whose name in Nahuatl means flying serpent witnessed the evangelization and colonization of the north of Mexico. Its has had a rich history, since it was the site of events that influenced the country?s development from pre-historic times through Independence to the revolutionary era. Its capital, founded in 1577, was originally named Villa de Santiago de Saltillo. The region was inhabited by Indians brought in from Tlaxcala during colonization.

The state has several attractive features, such as its forests, springs, deserts, large cities and small villages. However, its main attraction is undoubtedly its open, friendly people. The state is divided into four distinct areas; the southeast, an area of valleys and mountains, as well as historical and paleontological sites and fascinating museums, the center, with the industrious city of Monclova as its focal point; the border, Piedras Negras being the most important city in the area, and La Laguna, a semi-desert area where the Coahuilans overcame adverse conditions.

Small state in the west of Mexico bordering on Jalisco, Michoacán and the Pacific Ocean. Its name comes from the Nahuatl Coliman: colli meaning hill, volcano or grandfather and maitl meaning hand, or domination, in other words, "place dominated by our grandparents" or "place where the Old God prevails," referring to the Colima Volcano.

This tiny area boasts a wide range of attractions and beautiful places, such as Villa de Alvarez, Comala, Suchitlán, Nevado de Colima National Park, Volcán de Fuego and Quesería Tecomán, as well as spectacular beaches such as Manzanillo, the world capital of sail fishing. Several regional fiestas are held almost year round; the state is renowned for its seafood while its exotic traditional beverages are superb, as are its desserts and candies.

Colima offers fascinating archaeological sites such as El Chanal and La Campana, colonial architecture and 19th century buildings. Its excellent maritime, land and air infrastructure facilitates travel to and from the area.

Despite being the smallest state in Mexico, the Federal District, the country's capital, is the largest and most complex city in the world. Its combination of history, culture and entertainment makes it an extremely attractive city. Architectural traces of its pre-Hispanic and vice-regal past are interspersed with modern buildings.

Its origins date from 1325, when the Mexica discovered the central islet in Texcoco Lake where they settled and eventually founded a powerful empire, which was defeated by the Spanish conqueror, Hernán Cortés. The colonial period produced so many magnificent churches, monasteries and palaces that it came to be known as the city of palaces. The Federal District has an extremely complete infrastructure, with air and overland links to everywhere in the country, hotels, restaurants, amusement centers, cinemas, theaters and dozens of museums.

The state of Durango, nestling in the Sierra Madre Occidental, is surrounded by Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Zacatecas, Jalisco and Nayarit. Its surroundings are full of spectacularly beautiful natural formations that have served as the setting for several films on the Wild West. Its landscape includes forests, canyons, valleys, rivers, lagoons, deserts, orchards and vineyards.

Durango has managed to preserve nearly virgin sites, meaning that its ecosystems are extremely fragile. Temperatures are extreme, ranging from 14ºC below zero in winter at altitudes of over 3000 m, to over 41ºC in the desert in summer. The August rains in the valleys and mountain ranges provide a wonderful spectacle. Durango?s attractions are many and varied: it has two biosphere reserves, with abundant fauna, while over 250 species of migratory and endemic birds have been recorded in the state. It has archaeological sites with cave paintings and architectural jewels left by the missionaries and colonizers. The outskirts of the city contain spas with thermal and mineral springs, as well as reservoirs that are ideal for sports such as fishing.

The state of Guanajuato, located in an area known as the Bajío, is rich in ecosystems that vary from forests to semi-arid zones. It borders on Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Zacatecas, Jalisco and Michoacán. Before the Conquest, the region was inhabited by several indigenous groups, include Otomí, Purépecha, Cascán, Pain, Guamar and Cuacuchil, and by the time of the Spaniards? arrival, the Tarascans had established a number of strongholds.

Guanajuato contains some of the most striking vice-regal cities in Mexico, which flourished as a result of the wealth of their mines and even today, make the area one of the country?s main silver producers. The city of Guanajuato, the capital of the state, was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and currently hosts the International Cervantes Festival. The state was the site of a number of events that determined the course of the country, such as the Shout of Independence in Dolores, now Hidalgo. San Miguel de Allende is another architectural jewel while Celaya, León is a flourishing industrial and commercial center.

Set in a privileged area, this is undoubtedly one of the loveliest states in Mexico. It borders on the states of Mexico, Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca and Michoacán and has a stunning Pacific coastline. It was occupied by Chichimec groups that settled north of the Balsas River and is currently inhabited by Nahua, Mixtec, Tlapanec, and Amuzgo, among other groups.

Its tropical climate oscillates between 15 and 20ºC, and its mountain system is one of the most intricate in the country. There is no room to list all its attractions here; suffice it to say that it has the most beautiful and famous bay in Mexico, Acapulco, together with hundreds of beaches. It also boasts colonial cities such as Taxco, rich in silver deposits, grottoes such as those in Cacahuamilpa as well as beach resorts such as Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.

Its inhabitants are skilled craftspeople and its cuisine combines seafood with the fruits of the land. One place worth visiting is San Diego Fort, housing the Historical Museum of Acapulco. The state?s colorful traditional fiestas combine rituals, legends and religious beliefs.

The state of Hidalgo occupies a privileged region in the center of Mexico and borders on the states of Mexico, Tlaxcala, Puebla, Veracruz, San Luis Potosí and Querétaro, giving it a variety of climates, landscapes, ethnic groups and traditions. These contrasts constitute its greatest attraction for Mexican and foreign visitors alike.

Hidalgo offer archaeological zones such as Tula (the great metropolis of Toltec culture), and Huapolcalco; beautiful churches, monasteries and colonial and 19th century mansions, pulque haciendas; fascinating museums; national parks, ideal sites for adventure tourism and ecotourism; former mining towns and various spas, most with thermal waters. Visitors to Hidalgo will find the best options for adventure, recreation, culture or simply relaxation.

Jalisco is steeped in tradition: many of its cultural features have become synonymous with Mexicanness, such as mariachis, cowboys and tequila. It is located in the west of the country and surrounded by Nayarit, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato, Michoacán and Colima and has a long Pacific coastline.

Its history dates back to pre-Hispanic times, when it was occupied by Nahua groups (in the south) and Huichol (in the north). Nowadays, Jalisco is one of the most important states in the country. Its many attractions include archaeological sites such as Teuchitlán; the city of Guadalajara, the proud Pearl of the West, with its striking colonial buildings and recreational and cultural centers; Tequila, the cradle of the traditional beverage of the same name. Other cities of note include Tlaquepaque with its fine blown glass objects, Tonalá with its pottery and Puerto Vallarta, with its village atmosphere and gorgeous beaches, not to mention the Costa Alegre and other picturesque cities and towns scattered throughout the state.

In the heart of Mexico, surrounded by eight states, lies the state of Mexico, one of the most complex and varied in the country. The scenery varies from arid landscapes to fertile land in the warm valleys of the south, dotted with imposing volcanoes. The climate is equally diverse, ranging from semi-tropical in the south, to cold or cool in the north and center, with extensive forests at heights of up to 2,600 meters above sea level.

Here, the colonial era produced some of the finest churches, monasteries and palaces in the country. Nowadays, this thriving, industrious state offers visitors archaeological zones, historical monuments, culture, nature and places for adventure and recreation, as well as colorful regional fiestas.

The state of Michoacán encompasses the west central and Pacific areas and is surrounded by Colima, Jalisco, Guanajuato, Querétaro, the state of Mexico, Guerrero and the Pacific. Because of its abundance of lakes, Michoacán has been called "the land of fishermen." Its surroundings are a pleasant combination of different types of landscape, making it an endless source of natural beauty.

It is the land of the indomitable Tarascans, who left their mark on places such as Tzintzuntzan, Huandacareo, Tingambato and Ihuatzio. Even today, traces of the colonial era can still be found in towns and cities like Morelia, Ucareo, Charo, Cuitzeo and Pátzcuaro. The state is dotted with craftsmen?s villages with deeply rooted traditions. Michoacán also offers an astonishing variety of natural attractions, such as camping sites, spas with thermal waters, grottoes, rivers, lagoons, volcanoes such as El Paricutín and the wonderful Monarch butterfly sanctuary.

Set in the center of the country and surrounded by complex mountain ranges, lies the state of Morelos, which enjoys one of the mildest climates in the country. It borders on the Federal District and the states of Mexico, Puebla and Guerrero.

Despite its small size, it boasts numerous attractions. This territory was dominated by the Chichimecs, but it was also inhabited by the Xochimilca and subsequently the Tlahuica. It was precisely the latter that founded Cuauhnáhuac, which the Spaniards converted into Cuernavaca, now famous as "the city of eternal spring," that Hernán Cortés chose as the site for building his large realm. Its climate meant that several sugar cane haciendas were built there, while the Jesuits erected churches and monasteries that can still be admired to this day. This state was the site of major historical events during the period of independence and the revolution. Today it houses numerous spas and recreational centers.

On the Pacific coast, surrounded by the states of Sinaloa, Durango, Zacatecas and Jalisco, lies the attractive state of Nayarit. Its origins are to be found in the Cora and Huichol groups that settled in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental. In ancient times, it was a major transit area and legend has it that the group that would subsequently found the great Tenochtitlan set out from the island of Mexcaltitán, led by Huitzilopochtli. During the 18th century, it served as the starting point for the evangelization of Alta California.

This explains why it has both archaeological sites, colonial and 19th century buildings and monuments.

Nayarit has everything to offer: history, culture, traditions, stunning beaches and places for ecotourism and adventure, served with delicious cuisine in gorgeous natural settings.

This state, located in the northeast of Mexico, borders on the states of Coahuila, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí and Tamaulipas: to the north, it borders on Texas. Its climate is extreme: cold most of the year and cool and rainy in the summer in the highlands, cool in the south with extreme temperatures in the desert. It was occupied by nomadic groups of hunter-gatherers, whose testimony has been reduced to cave paintings in Boca de Potrerillos. During the last third of the 16th century, the Spaniards ventured into the region and built a number of constructions.

The territory is dotted with fascinating natural sites such as waterfalls, grottoes, ravines and mountains, ideal for adventure tourism. Nowadays its capital, Monterrey, is one of Mexico?s major cities. It is a center of cultural activity, due to its magnificent museums and other places of interest.

The land of mescal, the Guelaguetza and a magical cuisine, Oaxaca is located in the south of Mexico, borders on Guerrero, Puebla, Veracruz and Chiapas and has a spectacular Pacific coastline. Its scenery contains natural contrasts that make it unusually attractive. It is surrounded by the Sierra Madre Oriental, which leads into the Nudo Mixteco and the Sierra Madre del Sur. The Central Valleys are formed by a depression between these mountain chains.

Climates here are extremely varied: tropical in the north of the Sierra de Oaxaca, dry steppes in the valley and Yautepec, dry and desert-like in the ravines and cool in La Mixteca. It was the site of two of the great cultures of pre-Hispanic Mexico: the Zapotec, based in Monte Albán, and the Mixtec, whose capital was Mitla.

After the Conquest, the territory was divided into the capitals of the valley and the isthmus. Oaxaca City, the state capital, is one of the loveliest cities in the country, with its magnificent churches and civil buildings, surrounded by villages of craftspeople, jealous of their traditions and their marvelous natural attractions. Oaxaca?s coasts have some of the most exotic beaches on the Mexican Pacific.

Puebla is located in the central part of the country and surrounded by the states of Mexico, Tlaxcala, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Guerrero and Morelos. Its surroundings are dominated by mountain ranges with enormous volcanoes such as Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl while forests and fertile cropland, as well as rivers, lakes, springs and reservoirs complete the landscape. The diversity of climates, the existence of numerous eco-systems and varied agricultural products are the result of its complex mountain system.

The region was populated by Toltecs, Chichimecs and Xicalanca Olmecs. Nahua groups arrived in the area in about the 10th century and by the 15th century, the Mexica dominated virtually all of what is now the state of Puebla. The Spanish conquerors made their influence felt by founding the finest baroque city of all: the gorgeous Puebla de los Angeles, one of the country?s architectural and cultural jewels. However, they also influenced craftwork by creating the famous Talavera ceramics, and food, where the blend of Spanish and Indian influences produced one of the most varied and succulent cuisines in Mexico.

The state has numerous attractions: archaeological zones such as Yohualinchan and Cholula, also famous for its churches: natural sites for camping and playing outdoor sports, spas and recreational centers.

The state of Querétaro has numerous historical, cultural and natural attractions. It is located in the center of the country and bounded by Guanajuato, San Luis Potosí, the state of Mexico and Michoacán. Its surroundings consist mainly of mountain ranges and low hills, with fertile valleys in the south. Querétaro is synonymous with art, natural beauty, traditions, and archaeological and historical sites. Few states are fortunate enough to be able to offer so many and such varied attractions.

This state has been influenced by three pre-Hispanic cultures: the Teotihuacan, the Toltec and the Mexica cultures, reflected in places such as Toluquilla, Ranas and El Cerrito.

Spanish influence is evident throughout the region. In 1996, the Historical Center of Santiago de Querétaro was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. The city was the scene of major events in national history and nowadays is a majestic vice-regal city with striking baroque buildings. The state has a wealth of natural attractions, such as waterfalls, grottoes, mountains, spas, and places for camping or engaging in ecotourism and adventure, as well as traditional artisans? villages.

Quintana Roo is one of the youngest states in the country as well as the furthest east, meaning that it is the first Mexican state to see the sun come up every day. It is located in the Yucatán Peninsula, which it shares with Campeche and Yucatán, to the south it is separated from Belize and Guatemala by the Bay of Chetumal and Río Hondo, and to the east it is washed by the Caribbean.

This state contains some of the most spectacular sites in the Mayan world, such as Tulum, Cobá and Kohunlich. It also boasts modern beach resorts such as Cancún and Puerto Aventura, rustic ones such as Isla Mujeres and Akumal and traditional resorts such as Playa del Carmen. It makes up for its lack of surface rivers with an intricate system of underground rivers and limestone sinkholes that are ideal for diving. In fact, Cozumel is one of the best places in the world for diving and Banco Chinchorro?s biodiversity is spectacular.

Sian Kaan is the largest reserve in the state while Holbox is ideal for bird watching. It also has theme parks such as Xel-Há and Xcaret. The Mayan Zone, in the center of the state, is inhabited by Mayan communities descended from those that fought in the War of the Castes that have managed to preserve their ancient rites and traditions.

Set midway between the northeast and center of the country, San Luis Potosí is one of the states with the greatest number of neighbors: Jalisco, Zacatecas, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Hidalgo, Querétaro and Guanajuato.

Geographically, it is divided into the Huasteca Potosina, the Middle Zone and the High Tableland. Its surroundings are extremely varied, ranging from the hot, green plains of La Huasteca to the cool, desert-like tableland. In pre-Hispanic times, it was occupied by hunter-gatherers and by Huastecs shortly before the arrival of the Spaniards. However, San Luis Potosí developed mainly as a result of the silver deposits in Cerro de San Pedro, which increased its architectural and artistic wealth.

Several towns date from this period, such as Real de Catorce, Villa del Rey, Santa María del Río and the capital itself, San Luis Potosí. The state has stunning natural sites, ideal for adventure, ecotourism or simply for relaxation. Visitors can explore forests, springs, waterfalls and spas or visit artisans villages and discover their traditions, fiestas and customs.

Although this state is located in the northeast of Mexico, culturally speaking, it has more in common with the west. It is surrounded by Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango and Nayarit, and has a beautiful, broad Pacific shoreline as well as a coastline along the Sea of Cortés. In ancient times, it was occupied by groups of hunter-gatherers that supplemented their diet with seafood. The Conquest required several expeditions and it was not until the arrival of the Jesuit missionaries that the region was pacified. Mining spurred the development of the Spanish settlements that in turn led to the emergence of baroque religious art, evident in the churches of Copala, Rosario and Concordia.

The enormous biodiversity of the Sierra Madre Occidental accounts for the state?s spectacular landscape with majestic mountains and pine forests and intricate gullies that feed eleven rivers.

Nowadays, Sinaloa is one of the country's main agricultural producers as well as offering a variety of historical, cultural, natural and recreational attractions. It also boasts beautiful cities such as Mazatlán, Culiacán, Guasave, Cosalá and Mocorito.

The large, prosperous state of Sonora is located in the northeast of the country. It is bounded by Chihuahua and Sinaloa and in the far northeast, it joins Baja California. It borders on Arizona to the north and is washed by the Gulf of California in the west. Its unusual landscape ranges from beaches to valleys and from plains to mountains and deserts, with the Sierra Madre Occidental stretching right across it.

It is inhabited by Yaquis, Mayos, Primas, Pápagos, Opatos, Seris and Guarijíos that still preserve the customs and traditions of their ancestors. Spanish presence is limited to the remains of Jesuit missions and towns that sprang up around the mines.

Sonora provides attractions for every taste: cave paintings, spectacular natural scenery, ideal for adventure and ecotourism, regulated hunting parks; an extensive shoreline with beautiful beaches and bays ideal for water sports and sport fishing. Another of its attractions is its superb cuisine, which combines seafood with the fruits of the land.

Lying in the southeast of the country, Tabasco lives up to its Nahuatl name: "place where the ground is damp." This is the land of the Ulmecs, "the rubber people." Tabasco borders on Veracruz, Chiapas and Campeche and is washed by the Gulf of Mexico. Its landscape consists of forest, jungle, savannah, mangrove swamp, swamp and coast that support a wide range of land and sea fauna. This territory of water and exuberant vegetation produced one of the most important cultures in ancient Mexico: the Olmec, the mother of all Mesoamerican cultures. The inhospitable terrain prevented the Spaniards from founding cities. Nevertheless, in 1519, Cortés established Santa María de la Victoria. Another difficulty the Spaniards encountered were the constant pirate attacks the territory suffered from the 16th to the 18th centuries.

Tabasco has a wealth of attractions, such as the archaeological sites at La Venta, Comalcalco and Pomoná, natural features such as waterfalls, grottoes, swamps, beaches, rivers and marshes, and the traditional villages of Tapijulapa, Villa Luz and Jalpa. One place definitely worth visiting is the La Venta Museum-Park, where some of the distinctive colossal heads of the Olmec are on display.

In the extreme northeast of Mexico, bounded by Nuevo León. San Luis Potosí, Veracruz, the Gulf of Mexico and Texas, lies the state of Tamaulipas, whose name is derived from the Huastec Tamaholipa, "place where people pray a lot," referring to the mission churches. However, neither the Conquest nor the subsequent evangelization was to have any significant effect on these regions.

Located midway between the tropics and the cool steppes, this state has contrasting scenery: high mountainous areas, fertile plains and coastlines with miles of beaches, some almost unspoiled and others virtually unknown. Tamaulipas also offers biosphere reserves, paths with springs, grottoes, limestone sinkholes and even desert.

One of Tamaulipas main activities is cattle raising, while its artisans produce superb leather goods. Its fiestas and dances are famous and its cuisine extremely distinctive.

Small yet attractive state nestling in the center of Mexico and bounded by the states of Mexico, Puebla and Hidalgo. Every inch of its territory is put to good use. It is possible to take in most of the state in a few days, although there will always be something left to discover. Tlaxcala offers nature, history, culture and one of the most imaginative cuisines in the country.

This "land of maize bread" is also the land of the century plant and therefore of pulque, a drink made from the latter; of volcanoes, rivers and waterfalls, lakes, forests and even "desert", archaeological zones and beautiful churches and colonial buildings as well as haciendas where fighting bulls are bred. Ecological and adventure tourism are also extremely popular in the state. Its infrastructure and services are first-rate, which is another reason why you should visit this wonderful corner of Mexico.

Veracruz, the state with the longest coastline on the Gulf of Mexico, is virtually synonymous with enjoyment, music, dancing, magic and witchcraft. It is set in the east of the country, and borders on Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco. Its climate varies according to the region and ranges from hot and humid on the coast to extremely cold in the mountainous areas.

From the earliest times, the state?s favorable conditions encouraged the development of major cultures such as the Olmec, Huastec and Totanac, which created sites such as El Tajín, San Lorenzo and Tres Zapotes. The conquest of the region culminated with the founding of Villa Rica de la Veracruz by Hernán Cortés in 1519. During the period of Independence, the port of Veracruz was the scene of the Mexicans? spirited resistance to the invading forces.

Veracuz is a land of elegant colonial cities such as Córdoba, villages with rich traditions such as Papantla and Tlacotalpan, magical places such as Catemaco and its Isla de los Monos and others with a wealth of cultural activity, such as Xalapa. However, it is also the site of coffee plantations in exuberant surroundings, natural wonders such as waterfalls, lagoons, rivers and the lush coastal strip of the Costa Esmeralda. The colorful fiestas held throughout the year culminate in the world-famous carnival, which, combined with the superb local cuisine, make this an exceptional state.

The legendary land of the Maya is located in the north of the peninsula after which it is named and which it shares with Campeche and Quintana Roo; it is washed by the Gulf of Mexico in the north. Yucatán forms part of the Mayan world, vestiges of which can be found throughout its territory, particularly in Chichén Itzá and along the Puuc Route.

It also contains colonial cities such as Mérida, Valladolid and Izamal, as well as the remains of elegant sisal haciendas, some of which have been restored and converted into hotels. The state is dotted with Mayan villages whose handicrafts, religious rites, traditions and ancient customs contribute to its magical attraction.

The combination of its warm, sub-humid and warm, medium-dry climate have produced forest surroundings that support a wide range of fauna. The lack of surface rivers means that it obtains water from a complex system of underground rivers and limestone sinkholes. Yucatán also offers beaches, traditional fiestas, fairs and exquisite food.

The name Zacatecas comes from the Nahuatl, zacatl meaning grass and co meaning place: "place where the grass is plentiful." It is located in the northern central region of Mexico and is bounded by Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Aguascalientes, Jalisco and Durango.

The region was originally inhabited by sedentary communities yet by the time the Spaniards arrived, it was inhabited by nomadic groups. Remains of the former can be found in La Quemada and Altavista that constituted part of the Chalchihuites culture. The discovery of silver deposits led to the foundation of what is now the city of Zacatecas. The Church encouraged the construction of magnificent religious and civil buildings, which eventually led to the city?s being declared a World Heritage site.

The state of Zacatecas offers culture in the form of fascinating museums, cable-car ri of the mines, villages where one can admire the work of Zacatecas? silversmiths, and elegant cities such as Jerez, Fresnillo des to the La Bufa hill, tours and Sombrerete.