GUADALAJARA

• FOUNDATION

Guadalajara is the capital of the Mexican state of Jalisco. The city is located in the central region of Jalisco in the western-pacific area of Mexico. It is Mexico's second most populous municipality. The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area includes seven adjacent municipalities making it the second most populous metropolitan area in Mexico, behind Mexico City. The municipality is the second most densely populated one in Mexico. Guadalajara is the 10th largest city in Latin America in terms of population.

The city was established in three other places before where it is now. The first settlement in 1532 was in Mesa del Cerro, now known as Nochistlán, Zacatecas. This site was settled by Cristóbal de Oñate as commissioned by Nuño de Guzmán. This site did not last long due to the lack of water, so in 1533, it was moved to a location near Tonalá. Four years later, Guzmán ordered that the village be moved to Tlacotán. 

Guadalajara was officially founded on February 14, 1542 in the Valley of Atemajac. The settlement's name came from the Spanish hometown of Nuño de Guzmán.

• ADDED TOWNS

•TONALA

•TLAQUEPAQUE

•AJIJIC

•TEQUILA

•ZAPOPAN

• LANDMARKS

•LOS GUACHIMONTONES

•METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL

•ZAPOPAN BASILICA / GUADALAJARA CATHEDRAL

•TEQUILA EXPRESS

• DECADES AND OLD PICTURES

• 1950

• 1960

• 1970

• 1980

• 1990

• POLITICAL LIFE

Guadalajara is part of Mexico's democratic government, with elections every three years at city level and every 6 years at the state, in conjunction with federal elections. The current administration's term is from 2006 to 2012 for the state of Jalisco and from 2009 to 2012 for Guadalajara and surrounding municipalities.

Guadalajara is governed by a municipal president, who exercises executive power for three consecutive years, this office is currently occupied by Jorge Aristóteles Sandoval Díaz candidate for the PRI.

The municipality is divided into five electoral districts for the purpose of election of representatives of the city in the federal legislature. These districts are the VIII, IX, XI, XIII and XIV of the state of Jalisco.

• CURRENT LIFE

Well Guadalajara is a big city so there are many things to do and to visit. For instance you can do sports, and you can visit the museums, shopping malls, the zoo, clubs, restaurants, parks, and other places.

• EVENTS & FAMOUS DATES:

•January Events in Mexico

◘ New Year's Day - January 1st.

◘ Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day) - January 6th.

•February Events in Mexico

◘ Dia de la Candelaria - February 2nd.

◘  Dia de la Constitucion - February 5th.

•March Events in Mexico

◘ Benito Juarez' Birthday - March 21.

◘  Holy Week - The whole week from Ash Wednesday through to the week after Easter Sunday is the busiest time at all of Mexico's key attractions.

•May Events in Mexico

◘ Dial del Trabajo (Labour Day) - May 1st. A National Holiday. Businesses and Offices close, nationwide.

◘  Cinco de Mayo - May 5th.

•September Events in Mexico

◘ Dia de la Independencia (Independence Day) - September 16th

•October Events in Mexico

◘ Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day) - October 12th.

•November Events in Mexico

◘ Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) - November 1st and 2nd. 

◘ Dia de la Revolucion (Day of the Revolution) - November 20th. 

•December Events in Mexico

◘ Dia de la Asuncion de la Virgen Guadalupe (Assumption Day) 20th 

◘ Posadas de Navidad – Nine days leading up to Christmas Day. 

◘ New Year's Eve - Dec 31st.