State of Jalisco

Its area is 80 137 km2 (30,535 sq miles) and it is surrounded by the states of : Nayarit, Zacatecas and Aguascalientes to the north, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosí, Guanajuato and Michoacán Ocampo to the east, Michoacán Ocampo, Colima and the Pacific Ocean to the south, the Pacific Ocean and Nayarit to the west.

The State of Jalisco covers also about 300 km (186 miles) of Pacific coasts.

Physical Geography
The state is divided in 4 geological areas: the Sierra Madre Occidental to the north, the Mesa del Centro to the very north of the state, the neo-volcanic axis located at the center of the state and the Sierra Madre del Sur, located in the western part of the state.
There are high summits like :
Volcano Nevado de Colima: 4,260m or 13,977 feet above sea level
Sierra Tapalpa: 2,880 m or 9,449 feet
Volcán de Colima: 3,820 m or 12,534 feet.
Volcán Tequila: 2,940 m or 9,646 feet
Sierra de Los Huicholes: 2,860 m or 9,351 feet
Sierra El Madroño: 2,960 m or 9,744 feet
Sierra San Isidro: 2,860 m or 9,351 feet
Sierra Manantlán: 2,840 m or 9,253 feet.
Jalisco coast borders the Pacific Ocean over 280 km (174 miles. Chapala Lake is a big water reservoir for the state and the city of Guadalajara. It is 85 km (279ft) long by 27 km (88 ft) wide.

Climate
The state has huge climatic differences due to geographical variations and the influence of the rivers.
The rainy season runs from June to September. The maximum amount of hail occurs in July and August. Winter is the dry season. The hottest months are May and June.
Coastal Region: hot and humid. Average annual temperature: 22° to 26°C; 70°F to 80°F.
Northern and Northwestern Region: predominance of dry weather. Average temperature: 10°C to 19° C; 50°F to 65°F.
Central Region: predominance of moderate climate. Average temperature: 19°C or 65°F.
Eastern Region: predominance of moderate climate. Average temperature: 16°C to 18° C; 60°F to 68°F.
Western Region: predominance of moderate climate to hot. Average temperature: 18°C to 22°C; 68°F to 72°F.
Southern Region: predominance of moderate climate. Average temperature: less than 16°C (60°F).

     Right picture: The Zócalo of Guadalajara

Demographics
The inhabitants of the state are concentrated in the regions with natural resources and well developed infrastructures. The majority of the population is in the semi-tropical valleys and in the highlands with moderate climate. The hot and swampy coastal regions are almost abandoned.
There are 51.4% women and 48.6% men in the state of Jalisco.

Total Population (in 2000): 6,322,002 people
Density (people by km2): 78.9
Urban Population: 5,345,302 people
Rural Population: 976,700 people

Economy
Due to its geographical characteristics, the state has a huge variety of resources that can be used by different productive sectors. The state represents 6.4% of the national GNP and ranks the fourth in the country.
National ranking by sector :
Agriculture : among the leaders
Production : 4th place
Business : 3rd place
Services : 3rd place
Construction : 4th place
Mining : 20th place
Fishing : 15th place
Communications and transportation : 3rd place

Principal Products
Agriculture: corn grain, corn forage, sugar cane
Livestock: pork, cattle, poultry
Fabrication: fabric, clothing, leather, products made of metal and machinery
Fishing: mojarra, carp and other species
Mining: silver
Forest: conifers and pines
Other: milk, honey and eggs

Road net
From México City, the most direct road going to Guadalajara is the highway via Toluca. From Puerto Vallarta, take the National 200 to Compostela and then the highway to Guadalajara. The two biggest cities in Mexico are 542 km (346 miles) apart. Guadalajara is located 325 km (202 miles) from Puerto Vallarta, 313 km (194 miles) from Manzanillo and 223 km (138 miles) from León.

History of the state of Jalisco :

Map of state :

Click here to display the selection of photos about the charreada

Mariachi Jalisco

Guadalajara : capital

Tourism including Guadalajara suburbs and excursions

Practical information

Discovering celebrations and traditions


The Tequila

 

Click here to display the selection of photos about the state of Jalisco

Click here to display the selection of photos about the "mariachis"