Pearl of the West
Located 335 miles northeast of Mexico City, Guadalajara is the proud capital of the State of Jalisco, and the second most populated city in our country.
Guadalajara is a city of great economic and cultural importance, and one of the most beautiful not only of Mexico but of all Latin America. Also known as "The Pearl of the West", Guadalajara and its surrounding areas are the cradle of many of the great symbols of what is Mexican: charrería, the national sport; jarabe tapatío, our national dance; tequila, the Mexican spirited beverage par excellence; the traditional mariachi with their cheerful music; and the beautiful pottery from Tonalá and Tlaquepaque, two of Guadalajara´s most important neighboring towns.
The magnificent architecture of its religious and historical buildings stands out among the city´s main attractions. One of the most famous is the Hospicio Cabañas, with its murals by the world known Jalisco painter José Clemente Orozco. This nineteenth century building, originally built as hospice, has been declared a Humankind Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, and is currently home to the Cabañas Cultural Institute.
Another Historic Center architectural jewel is the Degollado Theater, a monumental nineteenth century Neo Classic building. With an approximately 1,500 seat capacity plays, operas, dance and musical concerts, children´s shows, movies, festivals, conferences, and government addresses are presented here.
Surrounding Guadalajara we find several towns that, although they have already been absorbed by the large metropolis´ growth, have their original charm. Some of them: Zapopan, Tonalá, Tlaquepaque... Also of great cultural and tourist interest is the region of Amatitán and Tequila, cradle of Mexico´s most famous beverage: Tequila. |
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