A stele is a stone or wooden slab, generally taller than it is wide, erected for funerals or commemorative purposes, most usually decorated with the names and titles of the deceased or living — inscribed, carved in relief A stele ' onMouseout='HidePop("4405")' href="http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Colima">Colima
Colima is a state in western Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima.Colima is a small state, sharing a border with the Mexican states of Jalisco to the north and east, and Michoacán to the south. To the west Colima borders the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the capital...
and stone faces from the
Gulf of MexicoThe Gulf of Mexico is the ninth largest body of water in the world. Considered a smaller part of the Atlantic Ocean, it is an ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United...
coast. The purpose of the museum is to show the aesthetic as well as the cultural value of these works.
The
Religious Museum of the Ex monastery of La Soledad is located next to the Basilica of la Soledad. It contains objects such as paintings, sculptures and vestments. It is located in the southwest portion of the old monastery.
The
Instituto de Artes Gráficos de Oaxaca (Graphic Arts Institute of Oaxaca) contains a large collection of graphic designs both present and past.
The
Casa de Juárez, is a museum devoted to the life of Benito Juárez. It belonged to someone named Antonio Salanueva, but Juárez lived here from 1818 to 1828 after arriving to Oaxaca city from his hometown of Guelatao. It contains documents related to his presidency as well as furnishings designed to recreate the environment of that period. Its architecture is typical of homes built in this city in the 18th century and located on Garcia Vigil 609. It also contains ordinary artifacts from that time period, some of which belonged to Juárez.
Hemeroteca Publica de Oaxaca "Nestor Sánchez" (Nestor Sanchez Public Newspaper Library of Oaxaca) is located behind the ex-convent of Santo Domingo along with the
Jardin Ethobotánico (Ethnobotanic Gardin) at the corner of Reforma and Constitución. These two occupy more than 2 hectares which used to be the gardens of the convent of Santa Domingo.
Teatro Macedonio Alcalá, which as well as being a working theatre houses a collection of romantic art. . The Macedonio Alcalá Theater is a work typical for Porfirio Diaz period at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th. It was first named the Luis Mier y Terán Theater, then Jesús Carranza. The current name dates back to 1932 to honor the composer of the state anthem “Dios Nunca Muere” (God Never Dies). The Macedonio Acalá Theatre is named after the autor of the state anthem and was built between 1903 and 1909. The theatre has three parts, the vestibule, the main hall and the stage. The main entrance is on the corner. On the Armenta and Lopez Street sides, the lower level is occupied by shops, as well as the Miguel Cabrera Salon, which hosts art exhibits. The vestibule is Louis XV style with a white marble staircase and the main hall is in “Imperial” style, in which the anthropomorphic columns stand out.
Other cultural places of interest include the Alvarez Bravo Photography Center, the Oaxaca Stamp Museum, the Railway Museum of Southern Mexico (in the old train station) and the Planetarium located on the Cerro del Fortín.
Monte Alban
Monte Alban is a pre-Hispanic city that was an ancient capital of the Zapotecs. It reached its peak between 500 B.C.E. and 800 C.E. with about 35,000 inhabitants. Monte Alban is known for its architecture, its carved stones and the ceramic urns. In 1987, it was declared a World Heritage Site, along with the city of Oaxaca itself.
Markets
The
Mercado (Market) Benito Juárez is located one block south of the Zócalo on Flores Magón and Las Casas but it takes up the entire block to 20 de Noviembre and Aldama streets. It offers flowers, fruit, ices, fruit drinks, handcrafts, leather goods, hats and knives, among other things. The
Mercado (Market)20 de Noviembre is the official name, but this market is commonly known as the "Mercado de la Comida (food)" because of the food stands that dominate the place. It is recommended by México Desconocido magazine for Oaxacan regional dishes such as
moleMole is the generic name for several sauces used in Mexican cuisine, as well as for dishes based on these sauces. Outside of Mexico, it often refers to a specific sauce which is known in Spanish by the more specific name mole poblano...
s, tasajo, tlayudas, pan de yema (a type of egg bread),
chapulinesChapulines are grasshoppers of the genus Sphenarium. They are collected only at certain times of year . After being thoroughly cleaned and washed, they are toasted on a comal with garlic and lemon juice and sal de gusano, lending a sour-spicy-salty taste to the finished product...
(fried grasshoppers in
chileChile, officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
),
Oaxaca cheeseOaxaca cheese , is a white, semi-hard cheese of Mexican origin, similar to unaged Monterey Jack cheese but with a mozzarella-like string cheese texture. It is named after the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico, where it was first made. It is available in several different shapes...
(known locally as "
quesilloQuesillo refers to different Latin American food or dishes depending on the country:-Dominican Republic:In the Dominican Republic quesillo refers to dessert...
"), queso fresco (lit. "fresh cheese"), as well as very large cups of hot chocolate made locally that is often spiced with cinnamon and almonds.
Parks and gardens
The city contains a number of parks, gardens and plazas, many of which were former monastery lands. The
Ethnobotanical Garden, surrounding the former monastery of Santo Domingo. Even better known is the Plaza de la Danza y Jardín Sócrates complex on Morelos Street at the foot of the Cerro del Fortín. It is part of the area bounded by the Basilica de la Soledad and the Church of San José. The Plaza de la Danza was constructed in 1959 by Eduardo Vasconcelos to hold the annual Bani-Stui-Gulal (representation of antiquity) dance, held one day before the festival of the Guelaguetza. The Plaza also hosts other cultural events including art shows, concerts and political rallies The Socrates Garden is the old atrium of the Basilica de la Soledad converted into a public park in 1881, conserved the bronze chalice which was also made in 1881. In 1981, the Garden was remodeled adding a new layer of stone to the floor. The
Cerro de Fortín next to it bears in stone letters Benito Juárez's slogan, "El respeto al derecho ajeno es la paz" (Respect for others' rights is peace). The Antonia Labastida Garden is named alter a woman who fought with Porfirio Diaz during the French Intervention. This park has became a place for artists and artisans to display their wares.
Guelaguetza
The Guelaguetza, also known as the Fiestas de los Lunes del Cerro (Festivals of Mondays at the Hill) is the major cultural event in the city with origins in pre-Hispanic times. The “Hill” is the Cerro del Fortín, which was the scene of the annual rites to the goddess
Centeótlthumb|300px|right| Image of Centeotl, the Aztec God of Maize.In Aztec mythology, Centeotl is the masculine deity of maize. According to the Florentine Codex
1, Centeotl is the son of the earth goddess, Toci, and god, Tlazolteotl...
, or goddess of the corn. At this time, hill has a teocalli, or sacred plaza built by the Aztecs. The ritual would end with the sacrifice of a young maiden chosen to represent the goddess.
This rite was prohibited by the Spanish after the Conquest, who also destroyed the teocalli. In its place, they constructed the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmen, now known as Carmen Alto. The recently baptized Mixtecs and Zapotecs then replaced ceremonies to Centeótl with those to this manifestation of the Virgin Mary, at the same place, the Cerro del Fortín.
This revised festival grew over time to be the largest and most anticipated for the town. In 1932, the city of Oaxaca realized its 400th anniversary and decided to combine these festivities with those of the Cerro del Fortín, adding traditional dances, music, regional cuisine and Margarita Santaella as the first Miss Oaxaca, in addition to the religious rites. The word “guelaguetza” is from Zapotec and means offering, sympathy, caring and cooperation. This first Guelaguetza was such a hit that organizers decided to repeat it every year at the Cerro del Fortin, on all the Mondays of July starting in 1953, becoming an amalgam of Oaxacan festivals from many parts of the state.
Originally, the festival took place at the foot of the Cerro del Fortín, where the curve of the land makes for a natural theatre. Since 1974, many of the events, which have grown in number, have been moved to a number of different venues, included the then-inaugurated Guelaguetza Auditorium. This is a Greek-style venue with seats 11,400 people.
One venue is the Church of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, where regional band come to play, dressed in colorful costumes as part of the opening ceremonies. They march from here to the Oaxaca Cathedral, where they are joined by folk dance groups such as the China Oaxaqueñas, the Chilenas de Pinotepa Nacional and the Jarabes Serranos. Another major event, which takes place at the Jardin Socrates, is a beauty pageant for indigenous women from different regions of Oaxaca state. The winner represents the goddess Centeótl and presides over the festivities along with public officials. The Bamo-Stui-Gulal takes place at the Plaza de la Danza and represents the history of Oaxaca and the Guelaguetza itself. The Plaza is divided into four quadrants, each representing a different period in Oaxaca’s history. One other event, hosted in the Auditorium is a reenactment of the Legend of Donají, which takes place at the time of the Conquest. On the streets of Oaxaca city, there are parades with children and giant paper mache puppets.
Noche de Rábanos
The “Noche de Rábano” or Night of the Radishes is a traditional Oaxaca city tradition. Artisans show off designs done on large radishes, often decorated with other plant materials. The event only lasts a few hours but draws most of the city’s population to the main square to look at the creations. It occurs each year on 23 December.
The event developed from a
DominicanDominican may refer to:* Something of, from, or related to the Commonwealth of Dominica, an island nation in the Lesser Antilles, in the Caribbean.** Demographics of Dominica** Culture of Dominica...
Christmas tradition, when they would have a large dinner on the night of 23 December. To decorate the tables, indigenous servants of the monks would carve radishes and adorn them with flowers and other plants. This led 23 December to the known as the Night of the Radishes. This led to a special market on this day selling the radishes along with two other popular Christmas plant materials, the Flor Inmortal (immortal flower) and corn husks. This market has grown into a major cultural event and now is sponsored by the city, which packs the main square on that day. The day also includes a competition where radish creations are judged by originality, technical skill and beauty.
Donají
The story of Donají is that of a princess from pre-Hispanic Mitla. When she was born, a
seerSeer or Seers or SEER may refer to:Predicting the future* A clairvoyant or a prophet* The Seer , a fictional character on the television series Charmed* Brahan Seer, a legendary seer connected with Brahan Castle in Dingwall, Scotland...
predicted that she would die for her country. When she grew up, her people, the Zapotecs, were involved in one of their many wars with the Mixtecs. One day, Zapotec warriors brought a prisoner, a Mixtec prince named Nucano, to Mitla. Taking pity on him, she took care of his wounds. When he healed, he asked her to let him go, which she did. The war continued with the Zapotec king and Donaji forced to abandon their capital of Zaachila. Peace negotiations were attempted but the Mixtecs did not trust the Zapotec king, taking Donají captive as insurance. This occurred during the Conquest, when the
evangelizationEvangelization is that process in the Christian religion which seeks to spread the Gospel and the knowledge of the Gospel throughout the world. It can be defined as so:-The birth of Christian evangelization:...
of the country had begun. Donají asked for
baptismIn Christianity, baptism is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted to membership of the Christian Church and, in the view of some, as a member of the particular Church in which the baptism is administered.The usual form of baptism among the earliest Christians was for the...
and was renamed Doña Juana de Cortés.
As feared, the Zapotecs broke the peace treaty, attacking Monte Alban as the Mixtecs slept. Donají was found in the Atoyac River, decapitated. Time passed. One day a
ShepardShepard may refer to:*A common misspelling of shepherd*Shepard, Alberta, a hamlet in Canada*Shepard *Shepard tone, a sound consisting of a superposition of sine waves separated by octaves.*Shepard Settlement, New York*Shepard Industrial, Calgary...
came to the place that Donaji was buried by the river. There was a fragrant lily flower growing. Fifteen days later, he returned to find the same flower, still fresh and fragrant in the same place as if a mysterious force was preserving it. Her decapitated head serves as part of the coat of arms of the city of Oaxaca and her story is reenacted every year at the Guelaguetza festival.
Food and Drink
The city of Oaxaca has long been considered "Mexico's
culinaryCulinary art is the art of cooking. The word "culinary" is defined as something related to, or connected with, cooking or kitchens. A culinarian is a person working in the culinary arts. A culinarian working in restaurants is commonly known as a cook or a chef. Culinary artists are responsible for...
capital." The most notable aspect of Oaxacan cuisine is its variety of
molesMole is the generic name for several sauces used in Mexican cuisine, as well as for dishes based on these sauces. Outside of Mexico, it often refers to a specific sauce which is known in Spanish by the more specific name mole poblano...
, a type of complex sauce. Their origins go back to the melding of Spanish and Arabic food in Spain. After the Conquest, New World ingredients such as chile mulato, 'miltomate' (a small whitish wild tomato), tomatoes, peanuts, avocado leaves, and chocolate were incorporated. While moles can be found in many parts of Mexico, Oaxaca has the greatest variety including negro (black), colorado (red), coloradito (faint red), chichilo, verde (green), amarillo (yellow), and mancha manteles (lit. 'stainer of tablecloths'). They are sold in markets all over the city as a paste which is combined with water and simmered with a variety of meats.
Other notable foods sold in markets include bars of chocolate (primarily used for making hot chocolate), traditional breads, and
chapulinesChapulines are grasshoppers of the genus Sphenarium. They are collected only at certain times of year . After being thoroughly cleaned and washed, they are toasted on a comal with garlic and lemon juice and sal de gusano, lending a sour-spicy-salty taste to the finished product...
(fried grasshoppers with chile). Street foods include
tlayudaTlayudas, sometimes erroneously spelled Clayuda , is a part of Mexican cuisine, consisting of a big, crunchy tortilla covered with a spread of refried beans, asiento , lettuce, meat , Oaxaca cheese or other cheese, and salsa...
s, which are large, slightly crispy corn tortillas piled high with ingredients such as grilled beef (called tasajo), cheese, tomatoes, avocados, onions etc. Local drinks include those made with water, sugar and a flavoring such as
aguamielAguamiel is the sap of the Mexican maguey plant which is believed to have immense therapeutic qualities. The sap is found in abundance among the agave plants which grow among the ruins of the Teotihuacan civilization. Also called honeywater it has been used in Mexico as a medicine. In its...
(honey water), trocitos de melón (melon),
horchataHorchata or orxata is the name for several kinds of traditional beverages, made of ground almonds, sesame seeds, rice, barley or tigernuts .-Etymology:...
(rice), tuna batida (cactus fruit shake), and nuez (nuts) as well as local fruits such as chilacayota and guanábana. In nearby Tlacolula and Ejutla an indigenous drink called '
tejateTejate is a maize and cacao beverage traditionally made in Oaxaca, Mexico, originating from pre-Hispanic times. It remains very popular among the indigenous Mixtec and Zapotec peoples, especially in rural areas. It's also very popular for anyone who lives in Oaxaca and the surrounding regions...
' is still prepared and sold in the local market. Known here as the drink of the gods, it is prepared with corn, cacao, cacao flower and the seed of the
mameyMamey is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France....
fruit. As for alcoholic beverages, this area prefers
mezcalMezcal is a distilled alcoholic beverage made from the maguey or agave plant that is native to Mexico. The word “mezcal” comes from Nahuatl “mexcalmetl” which means agave. Agave or maguey...
, which, like
tequilaTequila is an agave-based spirit made primarily in the area surrounding the city of Tequila, northwest of Guadalajara, and in the highlands of the western Mexican state of Jalisco. The red volcanic soil in the region surrounding Tequila is particularly well suited to the growing of the blue...
is made from a species of
agaveAgave is a succulent plant of a large botanical genus of the same name, belonging to the family Agavaceae.- Description :Chiefly Mexican, agaves occur also in the southern and western United States and in central and tropical South America...
but the flavor is very different.
As in other areas in Mexico,
chocolateChocolate comprises a number of raw and processed foods produced from the seed of the tropical cacao tree. Cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Mexico, Central and South America, with its earliest documented use around 1100 BC...
has had special importance here since long before the Conquest. Aside from being a foodstuff, it was also used as medicine and
cacaoCacao , or the cocoa plant, is a small evergreen tree in the family Sterculiaceae , native to the deep tropical region of the Americas. Its seeds are used to make cocoa and chocolate...
seeds were used as money. The chocolate prepared in this city is well-known within Mexico, as it is distinguished by being flavored with
cinnamonCinnamon is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka, or the spice obtained from the tree's bark...
, almonds and sugar and is usually prepared with hot water or milk. It is usually served in large coffee cups with a local sweet roll. The best-known producer of this type of chocolate is Chocolate El Mayordomo, which recently has opened outlets in various parts of Mexico, esp. in Mexico City. In their main store in Oaxaca City, you can see them prepare the various types of chocolates they prepare including a chocolate
pastaPasta is a generic term for foods made from an unleavened dough of flour and water, and sometimes a combination of egg and flour. Pastas include noodles in various lengths, widths and shapes, and varieties that are filled with other ingredients like ravioli and tortellini...
.
Notable Oaxacans
Notable people associated with Oaxaca include:
- Andrew Hernandez
- Benito Juárez
Benito Pablo Juárez García was a Zapotec Amerindian who served five terms as president of Mexico: 1858–1861 as interim, 1861–1865, 1865–1867, 1867–1871 and 1871–1872...
- Porfirio Díaz
José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was the President of Mexico from 1876 to 1880 and from 1884 to 1911, and one of the most controversial figures of the country...
- José Vasconcelos
José Vasconcelos Calderón was a Mexican writer, philosopher and politician. He married Serafina Miranda of Tlaxiaco in the state of Oaxaca in 1906...
- Ricardo Flores Magón
Cipriano Ricardo Flores Magón was a noted Mexican anarchist and social reform activist. He was born on Mexican Independence Day, in San Antonio Eloxochitlán, Oaxaca. He died at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas, USA...
- D. H. Lawrence
David Herbert Richards Lawrence was an English author, poet, playwright, essayist and literary critic. His collected works represent an extended reflection upon the dehumanising effects of modernity and industrialisation...
- Malcolm Lowry
Malcolm Lowry was a British poet and novelist who was best known for his novel, Under the Volcano.-Biography:...
, author
- Rodolfo Morales
Rodolfo Morales was a Mexican surrealist painter.Morales is best known for his brightly coloured surrealistic dream-like canvases and collages often featuring Mexican women in village settings....
, artist
- Rufino Tamayo
Rufino Tamayo was a Zapotecan Indian painter born in Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico, of Mestizo parents.-Early life:...
, artist
- Francisco Toledo
Francisco Benjamín López Toledo is a Mexican graphic artist. He studied at the Escuela de Bellas Artes de Oaxaca and the Centro Superior de Artes Aplicadas del Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes, Mexico, where he studied graphic arts with Guillermo Silva Santamaria...
, artist
- Lila Downs
Lila Downs is a Mexican singer. She performs her own compositions as well as tapping into native Mesoamerican music of the Mixtec, Zapotec, Maya and Nahuatl cultures....
, singer
- Vinny Castilla
Vinicio "Vinny" Castilla Soria [cass-TEE-yah] is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played his best years with the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves...
, Major League Baseball Player
- Geronimo Gil
Gerónimo Gil is a Major League Baseball first baseman and catcher who currently plays in the Triple-A Mexican League for the Mexico City Red Devils. He bats and throws right-handed....
, Major League Baseball Player
- Carlos Castaneda
Carlos Castaneda was a Peruvian-born American author. Starting with The Teachings of Don Juan in 1968, Castaneda wrote a series of books that describe his purported training in traditional Mesoamerican shamanism. His 12 books have sold more than 8 million copies in 17 languages...
?
- Macedonio Alcalá
Macedonio Alcalá Prieto was a Mexican violinist, pianist and songwriter remembered today especially for his waltz, "Dios nunca muere" ....
composer
- Nadia Yvonne Lopez Ayuso, singer
- Maria Sabina
María Sabina was a Mazatec curandera who lived her entire life in a modest dwelling in the Sierra Mazateca of southern Mexico...
, shaman
Oscar Salinas
Education
In terms of institutions of higher education Oaxaca has several universities. Oaxaca is the site of the
Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de OaxacaThe Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca ' is located in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez in state of Oaxaca, Mexico.The University was founded on January 8, 1827 as the Oaxacan Institute for Arts and Sciences...
, which has buildings in various parts of the city. The most visible building is the Edificio Central de la Universidad (Central Building of the University), which is located in the historic downtown. It is in a building that originally housed the Sciences Institute. It was constructed between 1899 and 1901, in the European Romantic style that was popular for academic institutions at that time. However, indigenous touches, such as the cresting over the portal, can be seen as well. This building houses the Department of Law and Social Studies as well as the gymnasium. Additionally, the Universidad de Mesoamérica has locations in the city.
Transportation
Oaxaca-Xoxocotlan airportXoxocotlán International airport Is an international airport located at Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico. It handles national and international air traffic of the city of Oaxaca. It only has one terminal.-Air Taxi Services:-Domestic Services:...
(IATA code OAX) is approximately 7 km south of the city centre. Most flights are to
Mexico CityMexico City is the capital city of Mexico. It is the economic, industrial, and cultural center in the country, and the most populous city, with about 8,836,045 inhabitants in 2008...
for onward connection, but there are also flights to
HuatulcoHuatulco , centered around the town of La Crucecita, is a tourist development in Mexico. It is located on the Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca. Huatulco's tourism industry is centered around its nine bays thus the name Bahias de Huatulco but has since been unofficially shortened to simply...
,
CancúnCancún is a coastal city in Mexico's easternmost state, Quintana Roo, on the Yucatán Peninsula. Cancún is located on the Yucatan Channel that separates Mexico from the island of Cuba in the Greater Antilles....
,
Tuxtla GutierrezTuxtla Gutiérrez is a municipality and the capital city of the Mexican state of Chiapas. It is the seat of the local public administration, the local authorities, and of the federal government delegations in the state...
and
TijuanaTijuana , is the largest city of the Mexican state of Baja California, situated on the U.S.-Mexico border adjacent to its sister city of San Diego, California. Tijuana is the westernmost city in Mexico, however, the westernmost population center is located in Isla Guadalupe...
.
Continental AirlinesContinental Airlines is a United States certificated air carrier. Based in Downtown Houston, Texas, it is the fourth-largest airline in the US based on revenue passenger miles. Since 1998, Continental's marketing slogan has been "Work Hard, Fly Right."Continental operates flights to destinations...
flights between Oaxaca and
HoustonHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and the largest city within the state of Texas. As of the 2008 U.S. Census estimate, the city has a population of 2.2 million within an area of 600 square miles . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of...
have also been initiated.
The city has separate first class and second class
busA bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. A bus seats a maximum of 8 to 300 passengers...
stations, offering services to most places within the state of Oaxaca, including the coastal resorts of
HuatulcoHuatulco , centered around the town of La Crucecita, is a tourist development in Mexico. It is located on the Pacific coast in the state of Oaxaca. Huatulco's tourism industry is centered around its nine bays thus the name Bahias de Huatulco but has since been unofficially shortened to simply...
, Puerto Escondido,
Puerto ÁngelPuerto Ángel is a coastal town in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It, along with San Agustinillo and Playa Zipolite are known as the "Riviera Oaxaqueña. It is located 9 km south of Pochutla and east of Huatulco. It is a port and has 2 beaches with clear water...
and
Pinotepa NacionalPinotepa Nacional is a city and seat of the municipality of the same name, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The name Pinotepa means “toward the crumbling hill” in Náhuatl.-The town:...
, and also long-distance services to Puebla and
Mexico CityMexico City is the capital city of Mexico. It is the economic, industrial, and cultural center in the country, and the most populous city, with about 8,836,045 inhabitants in 2008...
and other Mexican locations such as
VeracruzThe city of Veracruz is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The metropolitan area is Mexico's 2nd largest on the Gulf coast and an important east coast port...
. There are several bus lines which run in Oaxaca. The largest is TUSUG, a type of "cooperative" company. All of the drivers own their own buses and are aided by other drivers in purchasing new buses.
The major highways serving Oaxaca are
Federal Highways 175 and 131Mexican Federal Highways, are roads maintained and built by the federal government of Mexico, through the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation ....
, southwards to the Oaxacan coastal resorts; National Highways 190 and 125, southwest to
Pinotepa NacionalPinotepa Nacional is a city and seat of the municipality of the same name, in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The name Pinotepa means “toward the crumbling hill” in Náhuatl.-The town:...
; National Highways 190 and 130, to Mexico City; the
autopistaAutopista is a Spanish language word designating a type of limited access highway. Autopistas exist in many Spanish-speaking countries, including El Salvador, Mexico, Chile, Spain, Cuba, Colombia, Puerto Rico, Panama, Venezuela and Argentina.-Spain:...
150D/131D, offering a more rapid route to Mexico City; and National Highway 175 north to Veracruz, Veracruz.
Surrounding towns
A number of small towns surround the main city and are closely linked economically and culturally with the main city. Some of these towns are known for producing certain crafts that are identified with the three central valleys of Oaxaca. In these towns one can see the workshops and the crafts being produced in the traditional manner although most of these towns' products are sold in the main city.
Santa María Atzompa Santa María Atzompa is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of .-References:...
produces glazed, glass-inlaid pottery of green, while San Antonio Arrazola and
San Martín Tilcajete San Martín Tilcajete is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 26.79 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 1631.Famous for Oaxacan Wood carvings by Jacobo and Maria Angeles...
make
alebrijeAlebrije are brightly-colored Mexican folk art sculptures of fantastical creatures. Pedro Linares first used the term to describe his papier mache creations; it is also now commonly used in reference to the Oaxacan woodcarvings popularized by Manuel Jimenez....
s, small painted wooden figures.
San Bartolo Coyotepec San Bartolo Coyotepec is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 45.93 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 8015....
is known for its black ceramics, and
Teotitlán del ValleTeotitlán del Valle is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of .-References:...
works with wool and llama to make tapetes, or more commonly, throw rugs. These rugs are known for their intense colors, made traditionally with natural dyes, made from cempasúchil (yellow),
cochinealThe Cochineal is a scale insect in the suborder Sternorrhyncha, from which the crimson-coloured dye carmine is derived. There are other species in the genus Dactylopius that can be used to produce cochineal extract, but they are extremely difficult to distinguish from D...
(red) and
indigoIndigo is the color on the electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet. Although traditionally considered one of seven divisions of the optical spectrum, modern color scientists do not usually recognize indigo as a separate division and...
(blue). In addition, Oaxaca city and surrounding towns have market days, where one can visit the
tianguisTianguis was also the name of a group of Hispanic-themed markets operated by the Vons companiesTianguis is a Mexican word derived from the Mexican indigenous language Nahuatl, or Aztec language, and is still frequently used today in Mexico to describe an open public market, i.e., a street market...
(open-air markets) set up for that day. There are markets on each day of the week. Monday in
Miahuatlan Miahuatlán de Porfirio Díaz is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 326.6 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 32,185....
is for buying daily staples, and Tuesday, in
Ayoquezco Ayoquezco de Aldama is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 58.69 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 4,385....
is noted for wood furniture. On Wednesday, people head to
EtlaETLA can refer to:*Research Institute of the Finnish Economy*Extended three letter acronymEtla can refer to*The town and municipality officially known as Villa de Etla in Oaxaca, Mexico...
and
ZimatlánZimatlán de Alvarez is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 255.16 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 18,370.-References:...
for dairy products, especially cheese. Thursday is reserved for the two largest
tianguis in
EjutlaEjutla de Crespo is a city and a municipality of the same name, in the central valleys of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. "Ejutla" is from the Nahuatl exotl and tla, meaning "place of abundant green beans"; "Crespo" is for Fr...
and
ZaachilaZaachila is a town in Oaxaca, Mexico, 6 km from the city of Oaxaca. It is also an archaeological site consisting of the remains of an important post-classic Zapotec city of the same name. A large unexplored pyramid mound sits near the center of the town...
. On Friday, in
CoyotepecCoyotepec is a town and municipality in Mexico State in Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 12.30 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 39,341....
, Jalietza and Ocotlán cotton textiles, embroidered blouses, corn-husk flowers and glazed pottery from Atzompa are sold. Also Llano park in Oaxaca has a small market. Saturday is reserved for the main city of Oaxaca, and to finish, on Sunday mezcal is sold in
TlacolulaTlacolula de Matamoros is a town and municipality in the state of Oaxaca, about 30 km from the center of the city of Oaxaca on the highway that leads east to Mitla. It is located in the Tlacolula district of the Valles Centrales Region. The origen of the name Tlacolula is unclear...
.
Municipality of Oaxaca
As municipal seat, Oaxaca city has governmental jurisdiction over the following communities:
Arbolada Ilusión, Camino a San Luis Beltrán, Camino Ancho, Casas del Sol, Colonia Buena Vista, El Bajío (Rancho Guadalupe Victoria), El Silencio, Entrada de el Silencio, Gloria Antonio Cruz, Guadalupe Victoria, Guadalupe Victoria Segunda Sección (La Mina), Lachigulera, Las Salinas (El Arco Grande), Loma Bonita, Lomas Panorámicas, Los Ángeles, Los Ángeles Uno, Miravalle, Paraje Caballetiyo, Paraje el Cerrito, Paraje el Pando, Paraje la Canoa, Paraje la Loma, Paraje la Mina, Paraje la Rabonera, Paraje Pio V (Ojito de Agua), Paraje Tierra Colorada, Pueblo Nuevo Parte Alta, Rancho el Chilar, Rancho los Girasoles, San Bernardo, Solidaridad, and Viguera The municipality has a total area of 85.48 km2 and a population of 265,006, 97% percent of which lives in the city of Oaxaca While much of the indigenous population disappeared during the colonial era, sixteen different ethnic groups continue to inhabit the municipality. Spanish is the most commonly used tongue but during the 2005 census, there were 20,109 people who spoke an indigenous language, between seven and eight percent of the population.
The municipality is bordered by
San Pablo Etla San Pablo Etla is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 33.17 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 12,212.-References:...
,
San Antonio de la Cal San Antonio de la Cal is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 10.11 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 15071....
,
Santa Cruz XoxocotlánSanta Cruz Xoxocotlán is a city and its surrounding municipality located in the central part of the state of Oaxaca in Mexico. It is situated just south of the state capital city of Oaxaca and is a component of the Oaxaca metropolitan area.-The city:...
,
San Andrés Huayapam San Andrés Huayapam is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 14.03 km². Huayapam makes up part of the IV Federal Electoral District of Oaxaca....
,
San Agustín Yatareni San Agustín Yatareni is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 33.17 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 3,176....
,
Santa Lucía del CaminoSanta Lucía del Camino is a city and its surrounding municipality located in the central part of the Mexican state of Oaxaca. It lies just 3 km east of the state capital city of Oaxaca, within the Oaxaca metropolitan area...
,
Santa María Atzompa Santa María Atzompa is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of .-References:...
and
San Jacinto Amilpas San Jacinto Amilpas is a town and municipality in Oaxaca in south-western Mexico. The municipality covers an area of 12.76 km².As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 10,100....
. It is located in the
Valley of OaxacaThe Valley of Oaxaca is a geographic region located within the modern day State of Oaxaca in southern Mexico. The valley, which is located within the Sierra Madre Mountains, is shaped like a distorted and almost upside-down “Y,” with each of its arms bearing specific names: the northwestern Etla...
in the
Sierra Madre del SurThe Sierra Madre del Sur is a mountain range in southern Mexico, extending 1000 km from southern Michoacán east through Guerrero, to the Istmo de Tehuantepec in eastern Oaxaca...
Mountains, at near the geographic center of the state, and at an altitude of about 1550 m (5000 ft). The area is known as the three "Valles Centrales" (Central Valleys) region and is surrounded by thick forests of pine and
holm oakQuercus ilex, the Holm Oak or Holly Oak is a large evergreen oak native to the Mediterranean region. It takes its name from holm, an ancient name for holly. It is known by the names azinheira in Portuguese, encina in Spanish, carrasca or alzina in Catalan, and chêne vert or yeuse in French...
.
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