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TRAVEL
Guadalajara lies just fifty kilometres from Lake Chapala, Mexico’s largest natural
reservoir. Water has always played a key role in the founding of cities, and it must
have been so for the twenty Spanish families who chose to settle in the Atemajac
Valley, the heart of Mexico—then known as New Spain.
After various ventures and misfortunes with the Ecuex and Coca peoples—ori-
ginal inhabitants of the area—Guadalajara rose to become the capital of New
Galicia, a territory that spans the country’s western region. The city took its name
from conquistador Nuño Beltrán de Guzmán, a native of the Spanish Guadalaja-
ra and appointed governor of the region. One must mention Beatriz Hernández,
whose bronze statue—created by Ignacio Garibay Anaya—stands before the
Supreme Court of Justice, honouring the memory of a woman who played a
pivotal role in choosing the site
for the city’s foundation, fighting
to make it a reality.
There is no gathering, celebra-
tion, or ceremony in Guadalajara
without the sound of trumpets,
violins, vihuelas or guitarróns—
and the heart-wrenching cry of
the mariachi
Tradition and cutting edge
If there is a city that could be said to have it all,
it is Guadalajara. Now the capital of Jalisco and
the second most populated city in Mexico af-
ter Mexico City, it is the birthplace of charrería,
mariachi music and tequila—the elixir of the go-
ddess Mayahuel. Guadalajara enjoys a mild cli-
mate all year round, which allows for lush flora
that adorns the city. Yet it is also a trendsetting
hub: according to Time Out International, its
Colonia Americana has been named the coo-
lest neighbourhood one could ask for.
In terms of technology, it is known as the Mexi-
can Silicon Valley, recognised worldwide for its
software development industry.
But what the city truly prides itself on is fier-
cely preserving its tapatío traditions—the term
used for natives of Guadalajara, of Nahuatl ori-
gin, with several possible meanings. The most
common interpretation is “you are worth a lot”,
dating back to the 17th century when the peo-
ple of Guadalajara prided themselves on being
skilled merchants, using sacks of cacao beans
as currency in the local tianguis (markets).
In fact, they had their Círculo Mercantil—a
Chamber of Commerce since 1888—and in
1953, the first great fair of Jalisco was held,
paving the way for over a hundred exhibitions
each year. Not to forget, Guadalajara is home to
the Mariachi Festival and its Book Fair—second
only to Frankfurt’s—is considered the most im-
portant in the world on the international stage.
Prisciliano Sánchez, founder of Jalisco, in the Rotunda of Illustrious Jaliscienses
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