José Guadalupe Posada (2 February 1852 – 20 January 1913) was a Mexican engraver, illustrator and artist whose work has influenced many Latin American artists and cartoonists because of its satirical acuteness and political engagement.

Posada was born in Aguascalientes, on February 2, 1852. His education in his early years was drawn from his older brother Cirilo, a country schoolteacher, who taught him reading, writing, as well as drawing. As a young teenager he went to work in the workshop of Trinidad Pedroso, who taught him lithography and engraving. In 1871, before he was out of his teens, his career began with a job as the political cartoonist for a local newspaper in Aguascalientes, El Jicote (”The Bumblebee”). After 11 issues the newspaper closed, reputedly because one of Posada’s cartoons had offended a powerful local politician.[1] He then moved to the nearby city of León, Guanajuato. There he married Maria de Jesús Vela in 1875. In Leon, a former associate of his from Aguascalientes assisted him in starting a printing and commercial illustration shop. They focused on commercial and advertising work, book illustrations, and the printing of posters and other representations of historical and religious figures. Included among these figures were the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Virgin, the Holy Child of Atocha and Saint Sebastian. In 1883, following his success, he was hired as a teacher of lithography at the local Preparatory School. The shop flourished until 1888 when a disastrous flood hit the city. He subsequently moved to Mexico City. His first regular employment in the capital was with La Patria Ilustrada, whose editor was Ireneo Paz, the grandfather of the later famed writer Octavio Paz. He later joined the staff of a publishing firm owned by Antonio Vanegas Arroyo and while at this firm he created a prolific number of book covers and illustrations. Much of his work was also published in sensationalistic broadsides depicting various current events. Posada’s best known works are his calaveras, which often assume various costumes, such as the Calavera de la Catrina, the “Calavera of the Female Dandy”, which was meant to satirize the life of the upper classes during the reign of Porfirio Díaz. Most of his imagery was meant to make a religious or satirical point. Since his death, however, his images have become associated with the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, the “Day of the Dead“.

Largely forgotten by the end of his life, Posada’s engravings were brought to a wider audience in the 1920s by the French artist Jean Charlot, who encountered them while visiting Diego Rivera. While Posada died in poverty, his images are well known today as examples of folk art. The muralist José Clemente Orozco knew Posada when he was young, and credited Posada’s work as an influence on his own.

The city of Aguascalientes is the capital of the state of Aguascalientes in western central Mexico. It stands on the banks of the Río Aguascalientes, 1888 meters above sea level, at 21°51′N 102°18′W. It is the municipal seat for the municipality of the same name.

History

---

The city was founded on 22 October 1575 by Juan de Montoro as a postal service rest stop between the city of Zacatecas and Mexico City. Although its founders did not envision it becoming a major city, it became the capital of the newly formed state of the same name when its territory was split off from the adjacent state of Zacatecas in 1835. When the state separated from Zacatecas, Aguascalientes raced ahead in its development, while the state of Zacatecas remained behind in comparison.

Aguascalientes was born out of four original neighborhoods. Guadalupe was where most travelers stayed on their way to Mexico City, and has some of the most beautiful cemeteries in Mexico. Triana, named after a neighborhood in Seville, has the most Spanish influence in its architecture, and is the oldest neighborhood in the city. It is home to the José Guadalupe Posada museum and the magnificent Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe. La Salud was intended to be a great convent complex, but it was never completed; only the church, cemetery and square remain lined in colonial-style stone streets. The San Marcos neighborhood is where the fabled San Marcos Fair has been celebrated for hundreds of years, and is notable for its neoclassical garden and baroque church.

Name

---

The name originates from the Spanish words, “aguas calientes” meaning “hot waters,” part of the original name of “Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de las Aguas Calientes” (Village of our Lady of Assumption of the Hot Waters). When the city was first settled by Juan de Montoro and 12 families, it was given this name for its abundance of hot springs. These thermal features are still in demand in the city’s numerous spas and even exploited for domestic use. People from Aguascalientes (both the city and the state) are known by the whimsical Spanish demonym hidrocálidos or “hydrothermal” people.

Modern Day

---

Aguascalientes today identifies itself as at the confluence of tradition and industry. Its preserved colonial center testifies to its rich architectural heritage and cultural vision. On the other hand, the precisely planned peripheral expressways, as well as its first class avenues and lanes, are surrounded with industrial parks that employ thousands of people. The state reports a high index of migrants, especially from other states, seeking to acquire a superior quality of life.

Industry, economy and demographics

---

According the latest census by the National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Data Processing (INEGI), Aguascalientes City was the 13th largest metropolitan area by population in the country, with over 900,000 people in the year 2000. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico. In fact, the city’s urban area has grown so much during the last 10 years, that it has surpassed the boundaries of the neighboring municipality of Jesús María, annexing its municipal administrative head town to the metropolitan area of Aguascalientes, converted now into a suburb. Several private sources have publicized the population in 2005 as one million inhabitants. Technically, as of the 2005 census the city’s population was 663,671, whereas the municipality’s population was 723,043.

The largest Nissan plant outside Japan is located in the city, and among other models of cars, it manufactures the worldwide production of the Sentra and Versa. Due to this the city has a significant Japanese population.

Texas Instruments has one plant in Aguascalientes, it is dedicated to integrated circuitry (IC) manufacturing. Sensata Technologies, former Texas Instruments Sensors and Controls division, has one plant in the city, making sensors and controls for automobile, HVAC and industrial use. Flextronics is another electronics manufacturer that has a plant located in Aguascalientes City. There are also several companies that work in the robotics industry, the most notable being FANUC Robotics.

Cultural life

---

Aguascalientes organizes the largest festival held in Mexico, the San Marcos Fair, which takes place from the middle of April to the beginning of May. The celebration was held originally in the San Marcos church, neighborhood, and its magnificent neoclassical garden; since then, it has greatly expanded to cover a huge area of exposition spaces, bullrings, nightclubs, theaters, performance stages, theme park, hotels, convention centers, and other attractions. It attracts almost 7 million visitors to Aguascalientes every year.

The old part of the city revolves around downtown and the four original neighborhoods from which the city expanded. The most notable building here is the Baroque Government Palace, dating from 1664 and constructed out of red volcanic stone, it is known for its hundred arches. The prominent Baroque Cathedral, begun in 1575, is the oldest building in the city. The tall column in the center of the main square dates from colonial times; it held a statue of a Spain’s viceroy, which was toppled when the country gained independence; the current sculpture on its summit commemorates Mexican independence.

Aguascalientes historic downtown is home to several outstanding museums including the Aguascalientes Museum (Museo de Aguascalientes), the city’s art museum, housed in a Classical-style building designed by the beloved self-trained architect Refugio Reyes; the Guadalupe Posada Museum (Museo Guadalupe Posada), located in the historic nationhood of Triana, exhibits the life and work of José Guadalupe Posada; and the State History Museum, which is housed in an elegant Art Nouveau mansion typical of the Porfirian period with and ornate patio and dining room with vegetable motifs in a Mediterranean style, with a French Academism facade, and interior columns and an arcade of pink stone characteristic of Porfirian Eclecticism.

Other designs by Refugio Reyes include the Paris Hotel, the Francia Hotel, and his masterpiece, the superb Church of San Antonio, considered to be one of the most beautiful churches in Mexico. The Church of our Lady of Guadalupe possesses an extraordinaryly exuberant Baroque facade designed by José de Alcibar, a renowned architect of the period considered to be one of the most famous artists in Mexico in the 1770s. The Camarin of the Immaculate in the church of San Diego is considered by historians to be the last Baroque building in the world; it links the Baroque and Neoclassical styles; it is the largest of the fewer than ten of these type of structures built in the whole continent.

Aguascalientes is also home to some of the country’s leading provincial theaters. Outstanding examples are the Morelos Theater, historically important for its role during the Mexican Revolution as a convention site; architecturaly, the building is notable for its facade and interior, which houses a small museum. The Teatro Aguascalientes is the city’s premier theatre and opera house and is equipped with the latest technology.

In addition, in the modern section of the city, the Museo Descubre astonishes as an interactive museum of science and technology aimed at providing with a hands-on learning experience. It also possesses an IMAX screen. The Museum of Contemporary Art is the city’s premier art museum.

The gothic structure of the Los Arquitos cultural center used to be one of the first bathhouses in the city, declared a historic monument in 1990. The Ojocaliente is also an original bathhouse still in use today, and fed with thermal springs. La Estacion Historic Area (The Old Train Station Complex) contains the Old Train Station and Railway Museum historic complex, which at some point in 1884 formed the largest rail hub and warehouses in all Latin America. The complex is adorned with dancing fountains, a railway plaza and original locomotives and monuments. It was in this complex that the first locomotive completely manufactured in Mexico was made. It symbolizes the progress of the city and its transformation from the rural to an emergent industrial economy. The rail factories supplied with railways and locomotives to whole of Mexico and Central America. The Train Station is also historic due to its unusual (for Mexico) English architectural style. The Alameda avenue, the railway hangars, the factory complexes, and its surrounding housing have been proposed to be placed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Sports

---

The city is home to the soccer team Club Necaxa, which plays in the Primera “A” Division de Mexico, which is the national’s soccer second tier of teams. The team left Mexico City and relocated to Aguascalientes following the 2003 opening of Estadio Victoria, which is now the team’s home venue.

Panteras de Aguascalientes is the city’s entry in Mexico’s National Professional Basketball League.

---

Interactive Map of Aguascalientes Mexico

View Larger Map

---

Aguascalientes
( ah-gwahs-kah-lee-EN-tais )
Aguascalientes, named after the local thermal springs, is one of the loveliest colonial jewels in Mexico, with an enviable climate and location. Ever since its foundation in 1575, at the crossroads between several major routes, its inhabitants have made their living from fruit growing, mining and trade. In recent years, Aguascalientes has attracted major industries and assembly plants, while its fields are now used as vineyards and for cultivating fruit trees such as peach and guava.

The city’s historic center has preserved civil and religious buildings that reflect its greatness during the colonial era. The original layout was based on a square measuring 84 km on each side, flanked by important buildings such as the Cathedral, City Hall and Morelos, and the houses of the conquistadors. Traditional districts sprang up around these, with their churches, gardens and calm streets, which become a riot of color and noise during the celebration of the patron saint?s day.

Strolling through this colonial city, enjoying its architectural, artistic and cultural expressions, discovering its traditions, exploring its corners and sampling its delicious, varied gastronomy is a gratifying experience.

Aguascalientes also offers a variety of entertainment, while its modern infrastructure, with first-rate facilities and hotels, makes it an excellent choice for business meetings. One of the most popular fairs in Mexico, the Feria de San Marcos, is held here annually.

---

Bus Travel from Aguascalientes
You can travel to these cities from Aguascalientes by bus in Mexico.
Acaponeta, Nayarit
Acapulco, Guerrero
Arandas, Jalisco
Atlacomulco, Mexico
Atotonilco, Guanajuato
Caborca, Sonora
Calvillo, Aguascalientes
Cananea, Sonora
Celaya, Guanajuato
Chihuahua, Chihuahua
Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua
Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosi
Colima, Colima
Cuernavaca, Morelos
Cuitzeo, Michoacan
Durango, Durango
Escuinapa, Sinaloa
Fresnillo, Zacatecas
Guadalajara, Jalisco
Guanajuato, Guanajuato
Imuris, Sonora
Irapuato, Guanajuato
Jalostotitlan, Jalisco
Janos, Chihuahua
Juchipila, Zacatecas
La Barca, Jalisco
Leon, Guanajuato
Loreto, Zacatecas
Manzanillo, Colima
Matamoros, Tamaulipas
Mazatlan, Sinaloa
Mexicali, Baja California
Mexico City, Distrito Federal
Miguel Auza, Zacatecas
Monterrey, Nuevo Leon
Morelia, Michoacan
Moroleon, Guanajuato
Nochistlan, Zacatecas
Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
Paracho, Michoacan
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Queretaro, Queretaro
Reynosa, Tamaulipas
Saltillo, Coahuila
San Felipe, Guanajuato
San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco
San Luis Potosi, San Luis Potosi
San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora
Silao, Guanajuato
Tabasco, Zacatecas
Tampico, Tamaulipas
Tecate, Baja California
Teocaltiche, Jalisco
Tepatitlan, Jalisco
Tepic, Nayarit
Tijuana, Baja California
Toluca, Mexico
Torreon, Coahuila
Uruapan, Baja California
Yahualica, Jalisco
Zacatecas, Zacatecas
Zamora de Hidalgo, Michoacan

See Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Mexico ( from mexicobusschedules.com ) for more details about bus travel from Aguascalientes.

The United Mexican States is a federation made up of thirty-one “free and sovereign states”. These states constitute one federated State or Union. The federal government has exclusive jurisdiction over the Federal District, a territory which does not belong to any state but to all, as well as the islands, atolls and reefs that do not belong to any state. The Federal District is coextensive with Mexico City, capital of the federation and seat of government. The 31 states and the Federal District are collectively called federal entities (entidades federativas in Spanish).

Origin of the federation

---

The United Mexican States were born as an independent Union after the ratification of the Federal Constitution of the United Mexican States, on October 4, 1824. During the course of the year, several provinces which had been part of the ephemeral Mexican Empire, decided to not join the Union and to become an independent state made up by the territory that once had formed the Captaincy General of Guatemala. In the Central American region of Chiapas a movement requested a referendum to let their citizens choose whether to remain as part of Mexico or to join the Central American newly formed federation. The majority of the population voted for Union with Mexico, and Chiapas seceded from Central America and joined the Mexican federation in 1824. Thus, the founding states were 19: Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila y Tejas, Durango, Guanajuato, México, Nuevo León, Oaxaca, Puebla de los Ángeles, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí, Sonora y Sinaloa (also called Estado de Occidente, “Western State”), Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Jalisco, Yucatán and Zacatecas. Three federal territories were formed: Alta California, Baja California, Colima, and Santa Fé de Nuevo México. Later that year the Federal District was created. Tlaxcala (after a long debate at the Congress) became a federal territory in November 1824.. The 31 mexican states are actually cities as proven of size.

The federation was dissolved on two separate occasions during the 19th century and a centralist type of government was established. The first period spanned from 1835 to 1846 starting with the ratification of the Siete Leyes (Seven Laws), the foundational and constitutional framework that created the “First Central Republic” and after a brief dictatorial period, the ratification of the Bases Orgánicas de la República confirmed this form of internal organization and created the “Second Central Republic”. During this period Texas, Nuevo León, Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas and Yucatán declared their independence from Mexico if federalism was not fully restored. Texas became an independent republic in 1836 and never joined Mexico again. Yucatán became an independent republic for 2 years and rejoined the Union when Antonio López de Santa Anna allowed the state to retain its political and fiscal autonomy (a constitution and custom laws) which differentiated the state from the rest of the states which had been transformed into “departamentos”. It became independent again when these privileges were abolished, but rejoined the Union after the Mexican-American War. After the Mexican-American War, and through the Pact of Guadalupe-Hidalgo, Mexico ceded the territories of New Mexico and the Upper California to the United States. These territories would eventually become the US states California, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and Utah and included regions that would become part of the states of Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and Wyoming.
Federalism was restored in 1846, and in 1857 a new federal constitution was ratified. In 1864, the federation was dissolved for a second time and a constitutional and centralist monarchy was established, headed by Emperor Maximilian of Habsburg. Maximilian was deposed in 1867 by the republican forces, and the federation was finally restored.

The union

---

The national territory, as defined in the Mexican Constitution, is composed of the 31 free and sovereign states and the Federal District. The states and the Federal District are collectively called “federative entities” (entidades federativas in Spanish), as they are the individual constituent parts or entities of the federation. In addition, the national territory includes the islands, reefs and atolls in the adjacent seas, some of which belong to a particular state (like the case of the Guadalupe and Revillagigedo islands which belong to Baja California and Colima, respectively), and some of which belong to the federation.

The states

---

The states of the Mexican federation are free, sovereign, autonomous and independent from each other. They have the right to create their own constitution. However, they cannot make an alliance with any other state of the Union nor with any independent state except those agreements between the states located at the international borders if there is an unexpected invasion from a foreign nation.

The political organization of each state is based on a separation of powers in a congressional system: the legislative power is represented by a bicameral congress, the executive power is independent from the legislative and is headed by a “governor” and its cabinet, the judicial power is exercised by a Court of Justice.

Every state is represented by three senators in the Senate: two are elected through universal suffrage by plurality; the third one is assigned to the “first minority” party. The federation conforms a single constituency from which 32 senators are elected by proportional representation with open party lists. Deputies, on the contrary, do not represent the states, but the citizens. The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate form the Congress of the Union.

Internal divisions of the states

---

Main articles: Municipalities of Mexico and Settlement classification in Mexico

The states are divided into municipalities. Each municipality is administratively autonomous; citizens elect a “municipal president” who heads an ayuntamiento or municipal council, responsible for providing all public services for their constituents. This concept, which originated after the Mexican Revolution is known as a municipio libre (”free municipality”). The municipal president cannot be reelected for the next immediate term. The municipal council consists of a cabildo (chairman) and several síndicos (trustees). If the municipality covers a large area and contains more than one city, one city is selected as a cabecera municipal (head city, seat of the municipality’s government) while the rest elect representatives of a presidencia auxiliar (auxiliary presidency). There are 2,438 municipalities in Mexico; the state with the greatest number of municipalities is Oaxaca (with 570 municipalities) and the states with the least number are Baja California and Baja California Sur (with only 5 each).

The Federal District

---

Mexico City has a special status within the federation. According to a recent change in the constitution, article 44 states that Mexico City is the Federal District, seat of the government (powers of the Union) and capital of the United Mexican States. The city is coextensive with the Federal District territorially and administratively. If the federal government moves to another city, the Federal District would be transformed into another state of the Union, called “State of the Valley of Mexico” with the new limits and area that the Congress of the Union gives it.

Mexico City was separated from the State of Mexico, of which it was the capital, in 1824 to become the capital of the federation. As such, it does not belong to any state in particular but to all (i.e., to the federation). Therefore, it was the president of Mexico, in representation of the federation, who designated its head of government (previously called regente, “regent” or jefe del departamento del Distrito Federal, “head of the department of the Federal District”). However, the Federal District received full autonomy in 1997 and its citizens now elect directly their chief of government, the head of the boroughs (or delegaciones) and the representatives of the unicameral legislature called the Asamblea Legislativa, “Legislative Assembly”. It does not have a constitution but a statute of autonomy. Nonetheless it enjoys many privileges as the capital of the federation.

The Federal District is represented at the Congress of the Union like any state by two senators elected by plurality and one assigned to the first minority.

With 8.5 million inhabitants Mexico City is the most populous city in Mexico and, being coextensive with the Federal District, is the second most populous political division (or entidad federativa, “federal entity”) in the country. The metropolitan area of the city, however, extends over 40 municipalities of the state of Mexico and 1 of the state of Hidalgo, and with a population of 19.2 million, it is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world.

Internal divisions of the Federal District

---

Main article: Boroughs of the Mexican Federal District

For administrative purposes, the Federal District is divided into 16 delegaciones or boroughs. While not fully equivalent to a municipality (nor the concept of a municipio libre), the 16 boroughs have gained significant autonomy and since 2000 the heads of government of the boroughs are elected directly by plurality (they were previously appointed by the head of government of the Federal District). Given that Mexico City is organized entirely as a Federal District most of the city services are provided by the Government of the Federal District and not by the boroughs themselves, while in the constituent states these services would be provided by the municipalities. It should be noted that while other cities within the constituent states of the federation exercise their autonomy through the municipal council, some, like Querétaro, have further subdivided the municipality into delegaciones or boroughs for administrative purposes as well.

Self-determination of the indigenous peoples

---

The second article of the constitution recognizes the multicultural composition of the nation founded upon the indigenous peoples to whom the government grants the right of self-(free)determination and autonomy. According to this article the indigenous peoples are granted

the right to decide the internal forms of social, economic, political and cultural organization;

the right to apply their own normative systems of regulation as long as human rights and rights of women (gender equality) are granted;

the right to preserve and enrich their languages and culture;

the right to elect representatives before the municipal council in which their territories are located; amongst other rights.

The nation commits to and demands the constituent states and municipalities to promote the economic and social development of the indigenous communities as well as an intercultural and bilingual education. According to the Law of Linguistic Rights, the nation recognizes 62 indigenous languages as “national languages” with the same validity as Spanish in the territories in which they are spoken and the indigenous peoples are entitled to request public services in their languages.

See also

---

Territorial evolution of Mexico

Administrative division

List of Mexican state governors

List of Mexican states by HDI

List of Mexican states by area

List of Mexican states by population

Ranked list of Mexican states

List of Latin American subnational entities by HDI

Mexican state name etymologies

Aguascalientes 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, thus 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.

Geography

---

The state is located about 300 miles (480 km) from Mexico City.
It covers 5,471 square kilometers (2,112.4 sq mi) and has a little more than one million inhabitants. Most of its inhabitants live in the densely populated metropolitan area of its capital city.

The state as it is now was created on October 27, 1857 when it was separated from Zacatecas. It bears the name Aguascalientes taken from its largest city and capital also called Aguascalientes.

Economy and industry

---

This state 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 once a major silver miner and a major source of railroad transportation, the latter due to its strategic location, midway between the three most populous areas, namely Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

In the rural area, Aguascalientes was once the largest national producer of grapes and wines. This tradition ceased gradually due to the Spanish Royalty’s wishes that grape and wine production be limited to the mother country. Thanks to the influx of immigrants into Mexico, the wineries and vineyards remain and flourish. Guavas are also produced in the state.

There are several projects for economic development such as : the Financial District Rio San Pedro, a monorail, a suburban train, the construction of the newest and most modern WTC in Mexico, over four shopping malls, two theme parks, two Executive Hotels and one whose qualification is five stars, eight bridges for the next five years, a Financial District around the Airport, A Texas Instruments Inc Campus, A Nissan Assembly plant, a Toyota assembly plant and several others projects place Aguascalientes as the third most competitive state in Mexico with more than US$12,000,000 in foreign direct investment per year (around 8 percent of Mexico´s FDI) even though its population is just about 1.03 percent of the country.

However, recently it has also benefited 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 have historic and recreational importance.

Tourism

---

Although this state is not often billed as a tourist center, international visitors, as well as citizens from all over Mexico, are attracted to the San Marcos Fair, which is considered the national fair of Mexico and contributes much to Mexico’s economy.

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 is home to Lic. Jesús Terán Peredo International Airport, where 9 flights per day depart to Mexico City, Tijuana, Dallas/Fort Worth and Houston.[1]

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 go to the capital. A few tourists explore the former mining towns in the north of the state (in the municipalities of Asientos and Tepezalá), which are now almost ghost cities. The haciendas, hot springs, and baths scattered around the state are also of historical and recreational relevance.

The municipality of Calvillo has a semi-tropical climate, The largest producer of guavas in Mexico, it attracts some fans of watersports to its reservoirs.

The state has a Natural Protected Reserve in the higher mountains called Sierra Fría. The Sierra Fría is a protected area. Located at a height of 2,500 to 3,000 meters (8,200–9,850 ft) 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 -4.44°C (24°F) below zero when the weather is poor. Usually, Sierra Fria is the only part of the state that gets snow during winter.

In the city of Aguascalientes one of the best sunsets in the world can be seen in the Cerro del Muerto; the hill resembles the shape of a man lying down. The city of Aguascalientes is called “el corazón” which means “the heart” of Mexico because it lies in the middle of the country. This city is often considered, by its locals, to be one of the safest and cleanest in Mexico. Also, the city of Aguascalientes is known as “the land of the good people”.

Major communities

---

Aguascalientes

Asientos

Calvillo

Jesús María

Pabellón de Arteaga

Rincón de Romos

San Francisco de los Romo

San Jose de Gracia

Papel picado is a traditional folk art from Mexico that involves cutting out intricate patterns on colorful tissue paper. The tissue paper is then glued to a string in a line to form banners which are used as decorations for important festivities throughout the year.

Artisans may study for years to learn to make papel picado in its traditional form. Originally the paper was laboriously cut with scissors. Now up to 50 sheets of tissue paper can be cut at a time, using a hammer and chisel. An infinite variety of patterns and designs are made in papel picado: flowers, birds, lettering, people and animals and lattice-work patterns. For Day of the Dead, skulls and skeletons are depicted.

Pronunciation: pah-pell pee-ka-doh

A palapa is a thatched-roof, open-sided structure (see palapa photo). The material to cover the roof of a palapa typically consists of dried and woven palm-tree leaves. A palapa is sometimes referred to as a grass or tiki hut.

The most common place to see a palapa is in the tropics, where a palapa provides shade and refuge from the hot sun.

Palapas are constructed in a variety of sizes. Some resorts set up a bar or serve meals under a larger palapa; others devote the shaded area beneath the palapa to massage services.

From the Mayan dzonot, meaning “well.”

A cenote is a deep water-filled sinkhole in limestone that is created when the roof of an underground cavern collapses. This creates a natural pool which is then filled by rain and underground rivers.

Some cenotes are vertical, water-filled shafts, while others are caves that contain pools and underwater passageways in their interior. Cenotes are prevalent in the Yucatan Peninsula, where there are over 2000, and they are the area’s main source of water.

Cenotes were ritually significant to the ancient Maya because they were considered passages to the underworld.

Pronunciation: seh-no-tay

Cempasuchitl, or flor de muerto are marigold flowers, and they figure prominently in Day of the Dead celebrations. The word comes from the Nahuatl (the language spoken by the Aztecs) and means twenty-flower, referring to the many petals of the flower. Cempoa, meaning “twenty” and xochitl, “flower.”

Pronunciation: sem-pa-soo-cheel

A thick drink similar to an American hot cereal. It is made with masa and sometimes topped with fruit.
Ingredients:

1/3 cup masa harina blended with 1/4 cup warm water in blender

3 cups water

5 tablespoons brown sugar or piloncillo

1 pinch of salt

1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick

2 teaspoons vanilla or one one vanilla bean

1/2 cup pureed fruit (optional)

Preparation:

Heat all ingredients (except for any toppings you may be using) in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat while stirring. Bring to a simmer and continue to stir frequently for 20-25 minutes until thickened. If used, remove the cinnamon stick and/or vanilla bean. Pour into mugs or thick glasses. Warm fruit puree in a small saucepan and drizzle on top of Atole. Serves 2-3

Posadas are an important part of Mexican Christmas celebrations. The word posada means “inn” or “shelter” in Spanish, and these celebrations recreate Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. Posadas are held on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16 to 24th.

Posadas are held in neighborhoods across Mexico and are also becoming popular in the United States. The celebration consists of a procession with candles, sometimes with individuals selected to play the parts of Mary and Joseph, or sometimes images are carried. The procession will make its way to a particular home (a different one each night), where a special song is sung. In this song those outside the house sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter and the family inside responds singing the part of the innkeeper saying that there is no room. The song switches back and forth a few times until finally the innkeeper decides to let them in. The door is opened and everyone goes inside.

Inside the house there is a celebration which can vary from a very big fancy party to a small get-together among friends. Often the festivities begin with a short Bible reading and prayer. Then the hosts give the guests food, usually tamales and a hot drink – like ponche or atole. Then there are piñatas and the children are given candy.

The nine nights of posadas leading up to Christmas are said to represent the nine months that Jesus spent in Mary’s womb, or alternatively, to represent nine days journey to Bethlehem.