Oaxaca

Located in the southern part of the Mexican Republic , the state of Oaxaca is bordered on the north by the states of Puebla and Veracruz , to the east by Chiapas , to the west by Guerrero, and to the south by the Pacific Ocean , comprising 95,364 square kilometers. The great valleys of the state are located between the Sierra Madre del Sur and the Sierra Madre de Oaxaca. The name of the state as well as the capital City, " Oaxaca " comes from the Nahuatl word "Huaxacac" (huaxin-a type of squash, yacatl-nose), meaning "in the nose of the squash."

The City of Oaxaca offers visitors great colonial architecture, including the Santo Domingo Temple, the Cathedral, the Government Palace, the Macedonio Alcala Theater, the Lesser Basilica of Nuestra Sen&ntildeora de la Soledad, the Rufino Tamayo Museum of Prehispanic Art, and the House of Cortes. You can also enjoy a variety of musical bands performing in the traditional "kiosco" and the " Alameda ."

In the surrounding areas of the capital city, visitors can explore several interesting towns, many of which contain important archaeological sites. Throughout the entire state are markets selling crafts and objects of popular art which are a treasure for collectors.

Monte Alban , the storied prehispanic capital of the Mixtec-Zapotec empire, is located 10 km from the city of Oaxaca . Another major archaeological site is the ancient Zapotec center of Mitla, which in the Zapotec language originally meant "place of the Dead." Mitla is famous for its unique ancient tile work. On the land now occupied by the state of Oaxaca , prehispanic civilizations flourished and attained great splendor before the arrival of Columbus . Despite the conquest and colonization by the Spanish, the Mixtec and the Zapotec Indians maintained their language, their culture, and their social organization, the products of a unique indigenous civilization.

Oaxaca is considered one of the richest states in Mexico , for its expressions of culture and history and for its mix of prehispanic treasures and colonial patrimony, as well as for its music, dance, painting, traditions, and culinary arts. Oaxaca 's scenery is marked by nine spectacular bays along its Pacific coast, whose beach paradises contrast beautifully with the rivers, hillsides, and valleys inland. But more than anything, Oaxaca is enriched by its charming people.

Oaxaca is located only four and a half hours drive from Mexico City , via the new superhighway, which provides easy access to the highlands of Mexico . The major tourist resort of Huatulco, on the state's southern coast, also boats an international airport.

OAXACA is open...for you!

Known as "Tierra del Sol," the state of Oaxaca is blessed with mountains, lakes, and a beautiful coastline on the Pacific Ocean . Part of the state is located on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, a narrow strait where only 210 kilometers (130 miles) separate the Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean . Mountain ranges dominate the landscape.

The state is a prime tourism destination, combining the beaches of Huatulco, Puerto Escondido and Puerto Angel with colonial gems such as the city of Oaxaca and ancient archaeological wonders like Monte Albán and Mitla. Oaxaca is actively promoting rural tourism. There are rural hostels and outstanding community museums throughout the state

BASIC FACTS

Size

36,8000 square miles (95,400 square kilometers) -- making this Mexico 's fifth largest state Major Cities: Oaxaca , Puerto Escondido, Huatulco Major Festivals: Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos), Night of the Radishes (Noche de los Rabanos), Guelaguetza Dance Population: 3.3 million

Population

Oaxaca 's diverse population is made up of 17 ethnic groups: the Zapotecs, Mixtecs, Mixes, Chinantecos, Mazatecos, Chatinos, Huaves, Chontales, Zoques, Tacuates, Amuzgos, Triquis, Nahuas, Cuicatecos, Chochos, Ixcatecos, and descendants from African slave populations who live on the coast.

Prominent Archaeological Sites:

Monte Alban , Dainzu, Yagul, Mitla

Transportation:

Oaxaca has a toll-road leading to Mexico City via Puebla . A new toll-road is under construction from Oaxaca City to Huatulco. Major airports are found in Oaxaca City , Huatulco and Puerto Escondido

Airlines:

Aeromexico, Aerocaribe, Aerotucan, Aviacsa, Mexicana

Oaxaca General Information [Versión imprimir]

Oaxaca is located in the southeast of the country. It is bounded on the north by Puebla and Veracruz , in the south by the Pacific Ocean, to the east by Chiapas and on the west by Guerrero.

The state of Oaxaca is the most complete tourist destination in the country . In this vast area -more than 93,000 square kilometers-, you will find beaches, mountains, forest and valleys; precolombian arqueological sites, colonial arquitecture, all the conveniencies of the modern world, century old traditions and endless folklore.

The strong presence of indigenous people is manifested in 16 different groups that maintain languages and centuries old life styles; in the eight regions (Valles Centrales, Sierra Norte, Sierra Sur, Cañada, Costa, Mixteca, región del Papaloápam and Istmo de Tehuantepec) that divide the territory of the state are located the mixtec and the zapotec cultures, foundation of the most developed civilization of precolombian America.

The city of Oaxaca (from the zapotec word Huxyácac), is a small city in which you will be able to walk through the streets of the historical center without problems; furthermore the principal atractions are located in an area 15 blocks around the Zocalo. The city is famous for the particular style of colonial arquitecture characterized by the use of green stone in its large walls

Founded in the 1529 by the Spanish conquistadors it was built near Monte Albán, the prehispanic city that developed the zapotec culture in all of its splendor. Both centers are considerated Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, and maintain active culture and social life where are joined together and mix with the history, the gastronomy, the cultural lives and one of the most interesting arquitectures of the country with avant garde displays of contemporary art.

Oaxaca , Mexico´s colonial city with the friendliest people is one of the best cities in the world for visitors. Here we can give you a glimpse of what is available, all you have to do is explore.