Here are some cities in Mexico that caught our interest.
Map of Mexico
There are many cities in Mexico that are of interest to those that want to visit. This map shows the location of were most of the cities we visited and where I've been writing about.
Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca has a population of 349,102 and is at 4,950 feet of elevation. Cuernavaca is located in the state of Morelos and is the largest city in that state which is located south of Mexico city. My Aunt Kristen moved to this city when she first moved to Mexico several years ago. She lived here for over a year and loved it.
The name Cuernavaca means "surrounded by or close to trees", and the area was nicknamed "City of Eternal Spring". Many students come here to finish their degrees in language due to the over 50 schools dedicated to varing languages.
Most of the people work in some sort of commerce in the main part of the city, agriculture and fish farming account for the least amount of jobs in Cuernavaca.
The climate here in Cuernavaca averages between 78 - 88 degrees for a high and the lows get down to 55. Rain comes in the months of May through October and averages 945 millimeters a year.
The name Cuernavaca means "surrounded by or close to trees", and the area was nicknamed "City of Eternal Spring". Many students come here to finish their degrees in language due to the over 50 schools dedicated to varing languages.
Most of the people work in some sort of commerce in the main part of the city, agriculture and fish farming account for the least amount of jobs in Cuernavaca.
The climate here in Cuernavaca averages between 78 - 88 degrees for a high and the lows get down to 55. Rain comes in the months of May through October and averages 945 millimeters a year.
Guanajuato
Guanajuato has a population of 153,364 and is at 7,000 feet elevation. Guanajuato is in the state of Guanajuato, located in Central Mexico.
This city is located in a narrow valley, which makes it narrow and winding. Cars can't pass through most alleys, some alleys are long stairways up mountain sides. Many of the city's main roads are partially or fully underground. One road enters the city and one road exits, this road runs 1.8 miles underground. Unlike regular Mexican and Spanish cities the streets follow the extreme irregularity of terrain with small alleys and plazas. Some streets have steep stair cases up hillsides, which give the cities a more 'European' flavour than other Mexican cities. The narrow streets give rise to a pass time called Calle Joneadas. These are roving parties, traditionally held by the university students with live musicians.
Guanajuato was a result of mines in the mountains that surround the city. One mine accounted for 2/3 of the world's supply of silver at its height. Most of the buildings are made from pink and green sandstone, adobe, and other stone, leaving the streets colored by pink, green, yellow, and red. The streets and alleys are filled with mostly colonial era buildings made of restaurants, bars, and cafes with terraces and small plazas.
There are many museums, one of which is a mummy museum with natural mummified bodies from the early 19th to 20th centuries. This museum has about 59 mummies ranging from newborn babies to the elderly.
There is a festival that happens every year that lasts for 26 days, which invites artists and performers from all over the world, called Festival Internacional Cervanto. This festival was inspired by the local university and by the Beatles' Abbey Road cover. The festival began in 1975 and takes in 424 events in 70 different venues over the 26 days, during the month of October. The most important venue for the events is the Juarez Theatre on the Jardin de la Union and the Tratro Principal, Cervantes Theatre and University.
The climate is either hot or cold, the south is warmer than all the other areas. The highest temperature is 86 degrees and the lowest is around 44. They have an average rainfall of 600 to 840 millimeters a year during July and August.
This city is located in a narrow valley, which makes it narrow and winding. Cars can't pass through most alleys, some alleys are long stairways up mountain sides. Many of the city's main roads are partially or fully underground. One road enters the city and one road exits, this road runs 1.8 miles underground. Unlike regular Mexican and Spanish cities the streets follow the extreme irregularity of terrain with small alleys and plazas. Some streets have steep stair cases up hillsides, which give the cities a more 'European' flavour than other Mexican cities. The narrow streets give rise to a pass time called Calle Joneadas. These are roving parties, traditionally held by the university students with live musicians.
Guanajuato was a result of mines in the mountains that surround the city. One mine accounted for 2/3 of the world's supply of silver at its height. Most of the buildings are made from pink and green sandstone, adobe, and other stone, leaving the streets colored by pink, green, yellow, and red. The streets and alleys are filled with mostly colonial era buildings made of restaurants, bars, and cafes with terraces and small plazas.
There are many museums, one of which is a mummy museum with natural mummified bodies from the early 19th to 20th centuries. This museum has about 59 mummies ranging from newborn babies to the elderly.
There is a festival that happens every year that lasts for 26 days, which invites artists and performers from all over the world, called Festival Internacional Cervanto. This festival was inspired by the local university and by the Beatles' Abbey Road cover. The festival began in 1975 and takes in 424 events in 70 different venues over the 26 days, during the month of October. The most important venue for the events is the Juarez Theatre on the Jardin de la Union and the Tratro Principal, Cervantes Theatre and University.
The climate is either hot or cold, the south is warmer than all the other areas. The highest temperature is 86 degrees and the lowest is around 44. They have an average rainfall of 600 to 840 millimeters a year during July and August.
Leon
As of 2010 there are 1,436,733 people living in the city of Leon with 1,609,504 in the metropolitan area. Which makes it the 7th most populated area in Mexico. Leon is in the state of Guanajuato in Central Mexico.
The leather production in Leon is their main industry in the city. It is one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Mexico. There is a large number of cyclists there as well. Many travel by bike as a main source of transportation. With the bike paths being extensive, this is one of the most bike friendly large cities in Latin America. Other transportation is by bus or taxi, with an airport in the nearby city of Silao. There are sports teams of soccer, auto racing, basketball, baseball, and tennis.
The area of Leon covers 407.92 square miles at 5,955 foot elevation. The climate there is very comfortable. The average daily temperature is 67.3, with the warmest month being May with 88.7, and the coolest month, January, at 45. The closer you get to the mountains the cooler it gets. The further away, the warmer it gets, but only by 5 to 6 degrees. Average rainfall is 25.7 inches a year. It rains in the late summer, early fall, May through October, with thunderstorms in the evening. Snow is very rare there.
The leather production in Leon is their main industry in the city. It is one of the most environmentally friendly cities in Mexico. There is a large number of cyclists there as well. Many travel by bike as a main source of transportation. With the bike paths being extensive, this is one of the most bike friendly large cities in Latin America. Other transportation is by bus or taxi, with an airport in the nearby city of Silao. There are sports teams of soccer, auto racing, basketball, baseball, and tennis.
The area of Leon covers 407.92 square miles at 5,955 foot elevation. The climate there is very comfortable. The average daily temperature is 67.3, with the warmest month being May with 88.7, and the coolest month, January, at 45. The closer you get to the mountains the cooler it gets. The further away, the warmer it gets, but only by 5 to 6 degrees. Average rainfall is 25.7 inches a year. It rains in the late summer, early fall, May through October, with thunderstorms in the evening. Snow is very rare there.
Oaxaca
The state is best known for its indigenous peoples and cultures, most numerous and
best known are the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs, but there are sixteen that are officially recognized. The name Oaxaca comes from a name of a tree called ‘guaje’. There are 265,006 people that live in Oaxaca and it's located about 5,100 feet of elevation. The average temperatures run between 49 and 88 with mild humidity at times.
The city of Oaxaca has long been considered "Mexico's culinary capital." The most notable aspect of Oaxacan cuisine is its variety of moles. Their origins go back to the melding of Spanish and Arabic food in Spain. After the Conquest, New World ingredients such as chile mulato, 'miltomate' (a small whitish wild tomato), tomatoes, peanuts, avocado leaves, and chocolate were incorporated. While moles can be found in many parts of Mexico, Oaxaca has the greatest variety including negro (black), Colorado (red), coloradito (faint red), chichilo, verde (green), amarillo (yellow), and mancha manteles (lit. 'stainer of tablecloths'). They are sold in markets all over the city as a paste which is combined with water and simmered with a variety of meats.
Other foods sold in markets include bars of chocolate (primarily used for making hot chocolate, yummy), traditional breads, and chapulines (fried grasshoppers with chile, ick). Street foods include tlayudas, which are large, slightly crispy corn tortillas piled high with ingredients such as grilled beef, cheese, tomatoes, avocados, onions etc. Local drinks include those made with water, sugar and a flavoring such as aguamiel (honey water), trocitos de melón (melon), horchata (rice), tuna batida (cactus fruit shake), and nuez (nuts) as well as local fruits such as chilacayota and guanábana. In nearby Tlacolula and Ejutla an indigenous drink called 'tejate' is still prepared and sold in the local market. Known here as the drink of the gods, it is prepared with corn, cacao, cacao flower and the seed of the mamey fruit.
As in other areas in Mexico, chocolate has had special importance here since long before the Conquest. Aside from being a foodstuff, it was also used as medicine and cacao seeds were used as money. The chocolate prepared in this city is well-known within Mexico, as it is distinguished by being flavored with cinnamon, almonds and sugar and is usually prepared with hot water or milk. It is usually served in large coffee cups with a local sweet roll.
best known are the Zapotecs and the Mixtecs, but there are sixteen that are officially recognized. The name Oaxaca comes from a name of a tree called ‘guaje’. There are 265,006 people that live in Oaxaca and it's located about 5,100 feet of elevation. The average temperatures run between 49 and 88 with mild humidity at times.
The city of Oaxaca has long been considered "Mexico's culinary capital." The most notable aspect of Oaxacan cuisine is its variety of moles. Their origins go back to the melding of Spanish and Arabic food in Spain. After the Conquest, New World ingredients such as chile mulato, 'miltomate' (a small whitish wild tomato), tomatoes, peanuts, avocado leaves, and chocolate were incorporated. While moles can be found in many parts of Mexico, Oaxaca has the greatest variety including negro (black), Colorado (red), coloradito (faint red), chichilo, verde (green), amarillo (yellow), and mancha manteles (lit. 'stainer of tablecloths'). They are sold in markets all over the city as a paste which is combined with water and simmered with a variety of meats.
Other foods sold in markets include bars of chocolate (primarily used for making hot chocolate, yummy), traditional breads, and chapulines (fried grasshoppers with chile, ick). Street foods include tlayudas, which are large, slightly crispy corn tortillas piled high with ingredients such as grilled beef, cheese, tomatoes, avocados, onions etc. Local drinks include those made with water, sugar and a flavoring such as aguamiel (honey water), trocitos de melón (melon), horchata (rice), tuna batida (cactus fruit shake), and nuez (nuts) as well as local fruits such as chilacayota and guanábana. In nearby Tlacolula and Ejutla an indigenous drink called 'tejate' is still prepared and sold in the local market. Known here as the drink of the gods, it is prepared with corn, cacao, cacao flower and the seed of the mamey fruit.
As in other areas in Mexico, chocolate has had special importance here since long before the Conquest. Aside from being a foodstuff, it was also used as medicine and cacao seeds were used as money. The chocolate prepared in this city is well-known within Mexico, as it is distinguished by being flavored with cinnamon, almonds and sugar and is usually prepared with hot water or milk. It is usually served in large coffee cups with a local sweet roll.
Puebla
The city was founded in 1531 in an area called Cuetlaxcoapan, which means "where serpents change their skin". The city is also famous for mole poblano, chiles en nogada and Talavera pottery. However, most of its economy is based on industry.
Being both the fourth largest city in Mexico and the fourth largest Metropolitan area in Mexico, the city serves as one of the main hubs for eastern Central Mexico. Many students come from all over the country. The 2010 census put the population at 1,539,819.
Most of the municipality has been deforested, including the lower portions of the Malinche volcano and all the Sierra de Amozoc, due to logging and seasonal farming. Animal life consists mostly of small mammals such as rabbits and skunks, as well as birds such as owls, buzzards and wild waterfowl.
Some agriculture still takes place in the municipality but environmental degradation and the growth of the city is making this a smaller sector of the economy. Crops raised include corn, beans, wheat, oats, avocados, pears, apples, peaches, choke cherries, Mexican hawthorns, nuts and white sapotes. Most agriculture takes place on small plots on the edges of the municipality. Similarly livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep and horses are raised.
Puebla is located at the Valley of Puebla also known as the Valley of Cuetlaxcoapan, a large valley surrounded on four sides by the mountains and volcanoes of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt.
The climate is moderated by its high altitude of 7,217.85 ft. As a result it rarely gets truly hot in Puebla, with an average of only three days seeing temperatures rise above 84 °F. Night temperatures are cool at all times of the year, often requiring additional clothing. Puebla experiences a dry season from November through April and a rainy season from May–October. The valley has a temperate climate while the higher elevations have cold climates. Most rain falls in the summer and early fall.
The best-known mole is named after the city of Puebla, mole poblano. Other signature dishes that started here is chiles en nogada and the “cemita,” which is a type of well-stuffed sandwich on a bun.
Being both the fourth largest city in Mexico and the fourth largest Metropolitan area in Mexico, the city serves as one of the main hubs for eastern Central Mexico. Many students come from all over the country. The 2010 census put the population at 1,539,819.
Most of the municipality has been deforested, including the lower portions of the Malinche volcano and all the Sierra de Amozoc, due to logging and seasonal farming. Animal life consists mostly of small mammals such as rabbits and skunks, as well as birds such as owls, buzzards and wild waterfowl.
Some agriculture still takes place in the municipality but environmental degradation and the growth of the city is making this a smaller sector of the economy. Crops raised include corn, beans, wheat, oats, avocados, pears, apples, peaches, choke cherries, Mexican hawthorns, nuts and white sapotes. Most agriculture takes place on small plots on the edges of the municipality. Similarly livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep and horses are raised.
Puebla is located at the Valley of Puebla also known as the Valley of Cuetlaxcoapan, a large valley surrounded on four sides by the mountains and volcanoes of the Trans-Mexican volcanic belt.
The climate is moderated by its high altitude of 7,217.85 ft. As a result it rarely gets truly hot in Puebla, with an average of only three days seeing temperatures rise above 84 °F. Night temperatures are cool at all times of the year, often requiring additional clothing. Puebla experiences a dry season from November through April and a rainy season from May–October. The valley has a temperate climate while the higher elevations have cold climates. Most rain falls in the summer and early fall.
The best-known mole is named after the city of Puebla, mole poblano. Other signature dishes that started here is chiles en nogada and the “cemita,” which is a type of well-stuffed sandwich on a bun.