Aguascalientes
:
Aguascalientes is the name of both a state of Mexico and that state's capital city. This article is about the state. For the city, see:
Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes.
Aguascalientes IPA [ˌa.ɰwas.ka.ˈljen̪.t̪es] is a
state of
Mexico, situated in the center of the country. The name means "hot waters" in
Spanish and originated from the abundance of hot springs in the area; so the corresponding adjective for the state and its inhabitants is the whimsical demonym
hidrocálido (hidro = water; cálido = hot). The state capital is the
city of Aguascalientes.
The State is located about 300 miles from
Mexico City.
It covers
5,471 km² and has a little more than one million inhabitants. The state is not heavily populated. However, most of its inhabitants live in the densely populated metropolitan area of its capital city.
The state as it is now was created in
1835 when it was separated from
Zacatecas. It bears the name Aguascalientes taken from its largest city and capital also called Aguascalientes.
This state within Mexico originated around the times of Colonial Spanish influence. It is located in the middle of the country and is now beginning to make a name for itself as an industrial power within Mexico. The state was, at a time a major silver miner and a major source of railroad transportation, the latter due to its strategic location in the very center of the country, midway between the 3 most populated areas, namely
Mexico City,
Guadalajara and
Monterrey.
In the rural area, Aguascalientes used to be the first national producer of grapes and wines. This tradition ceased gradually for it proved unreliable since in Mexico the culture of wine does not have strong roots. Only a few wineries and wineyards remained producing, and mostly to supply wine for the Catholic religious institutions that still demand the product since its consumed in small quantities during mass.
From then the economy of the State became mostly industralized, which proved to be a very successful move for Aguascalientes. Nowadays the state relies on its industial power, but lately it has been benefiting from heavier tourism, since the Capital City has gained prestige and status as a national destination for its colonial beauty and cleanliness. In addition, the
haciendas and
baths around the state hold historic and recreational importance.
Although this state was not often billed as a tourist center, Aguascalientes is well prestiged with national tourism. However international visitors and niche travelers are attracted mostly to the
San Marcos Fair.
Recently, its capital city has gained the reputation as a great destination for its superb colonial architecture visible in the Colonial Centre; as well as the modernity and dynamism in the outskirts.
The city also hosts many conventions every year. It benefits from its excellent central location. The city is also famed for its environment of relaxation, and for its safety and cleanliness, as it is often described by people when traveling to this part of the country for conventions or tourism.
Most tourists would go to the capital. A few tourists will explore the former mining towns north of the State (in the municipalities of
Asientos and
Tepezalá) which nowadays are almost ghost cities. The
haciendas,
hot springs, and
baths scattered around the State are also of historical and recreational relevance for the national tourism.
The municipality of
Calvillo has a semi tropical climate, Furthermore, it is the part of the state with most greenery. First producer of guava in Mexico, it attracts some fans of watersports practiced on the local dams and for its natural scenery.
The state has a Natural Protected Reserve in the higher mountains called
Sierra Fria. The Sierra Fría is a protected area. Located at a height of 2,500 to 3,000 m above sea level, it comprises oak and pine forests. Its attractions include observing exuberant landscape and wide ravines, in which, there are pumas, lynxes, boar, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoons and many other animals. There are steep-sided cycle paths, camping and picnic areas as well as several hunting clubs. It is the mountain climate and fauna that attracts locals for camping activities. In winter, the temperature sometimes falls to 5°C below zero when the weather is poor. Usually,Sierra Fria is the only part of the state that gets snow during winter.
At present, the state has one first-division
football team ("
Necaxa"), one professional
baseball team ("
Los Rieleros"
The Railers), and one professional
basketball team ("
Las Panteras"
The Panthers).
Aguscalientes is subdivided into 11
municipios (
municipalities)
See also articles in the category People from Aguascalientes*
Antonio Acevedo Escobedo, writer
*
José María Bocanegra,
president*
Francisco Díaz de León, artist
*
Gabriel Fernández Ledesma, artist
*
Manuel M. Ponce, musician
*
José Guadalupe Posada, artist
*
Saturnino Herrán, artist
*
Ramón López Velarde, poet
*
Arturo Robles Aguilar, politician
*
Jose Antonio Zapata, journalist
*
Miguel Angel Barberena Vega, politician
*
Otto Granados Roldán, politician
*
Search for audio files and radio programs from Aguascalientes. (at Internet Archive)
*
Aguascalientes state government (in Spanish)
*
Towns, cities, and postal codes in Aguascalientes (in Spanish)
*
Aguascalientes news source and newspapers, including audio source and streaming media (in Spanish)
*
Grupo de Usuarios de Software Libre de Aguascalientes (in Spanish)
*
Blog Aguascalientes (in Spanish)
