Guadalajara- Capital of Jalisco

Jalisco, the "Free and Sovereign State of Jalisco holds the position of being economically and culturally important to the whole of Mexico. Some may say it may be more culturally important than the Capital, Mexico City. Hailing from its western central ends, Jalisco is the Third ranked economic hold of the country and the seventh largest state. Guadalajara, the third most populous metropolitan area holding roughly 1,495,189 in a census made in 2010, has a rich and diverse culture that has been laid out upon history in a beautiful Tapestry. Let us now explore this rich history in a interesting but brief manner!

Guadalajara, roots of a city

The central Atemajac Valley, the place where Guadalajara lays now, had no human settlers previously. The first settlement was founded in 1532, settled by Cristóbal de Oñate with the sole purpose of having a home base to return to after conquests and defending there riches. The coat of arms as they have it today was granted to them by Emperor Charles V in 1539. Throughout its early history it was overlooked and was seen as a small and insignificant place, mainly visited and traveled through by Merchants. and through out the 18th century, there economy was mainly agriculture and non durable goods. in fact, its first university was created in 1791 but not fully developed until the 20th century, starting in 1925. Guadalajara remained the capital of Nueva Galicia with some modifications until the Mexican War of Independence. Although not staying a Mexican territory for long, the French held it for a time during the French Intervention until Mexican forces to it back in 1866. This lead to a time where French architecture, Spanish and Mexican architecture was prevalent here.

Updated 4/8/21