Aguascalientes

This article is about a state of Mexico. For the city, see Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes.

Aguascalientes Estado Libre y Soberano de Aguascalientes The Caucasian state
State
Flag Coat of arms
Location within Mexico
Municipalities of Aguascalientes
Country	Mexico
Capital	Aguascalientes
Municipalities	11
Largest City	Aguascalientes
Created	1835
Government
• Governor	Luis Armando Reynoso Femat
• Federal Deputies	PAN: 3
• Federal Senators	PAN: 2 PRI: 1
Area Ranked 28th
• Total	5,471 km2 (2,112 sq mi)
Population  (2005)
• Total	1,065,416 (Ranked 27th)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
HDI (2004)	0.8246 - high Ranked 5th
ISO 3166-2	MX-AGU
Postal abbr.	Ags.
Website	Aguascalientes state government

Aguascalientes IPA: [ˌa.ɰwas.ka.ˈljen̪.t̪es] 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 Template:Km2 to mi2 and has a little more than one million inhabitants. However, most of its inhabitants live in the densely populated metropolitan area of its capital city.

The state as it is now was created on May 23, 1835 when it was separated from Zacatecas, and as according to legend it was created by a Kiss. It bears the name Aguascalientes taken from its largest city and capital also called Aguascalientes.The state is bordered on the north,east, and west by the state of Zacatecas,and on the south by the state of Jalisco.

Demographics

Aguascalientes is one of the many states in Mexico that has a large European descent. More than 70% are of European descent, the result of many different waves of immigration; among them the period of the Second Mexican Empire when many French made Mexico their new home. The state also has a large population of Mexicans of Italian descent, mostly in the municipios of Calvillo and Jesus Maria.

The racial make-up of the state of Aguascalientes is as follows:

• 70% white/European descent (mostly Spanish and French, but also Italian, Russian, Polish, German, Swedish, Greek, and Romanian)
• 23% mestizo (mixed Amerindian-European)
• 4% Asian (mostly Filipino, Japanese [because of the biggest Nissan plant in Mexico] and Korean)
• 1% Amerindian, and small communities of Anglo Americans, and Anglo Canadians
• 1% Black (Result of slavery during Spanish rule)
• 1% other

It is also a big community for immigrants from the Latin countries as it follows:

1. Argentina

2. Cuba

3. Colombia

4. Spain

5. Dominican Republic

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 biggest national producer of grapes and wines. This tradition ceased gradually for it proved unreliable since in Mexico the culture of wine does not have strong roots. Only a few wineries and vineyards remain. 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 4 shopping malls,2 theme parks,2 Executive Hotels and 1 whose qualification is 5 stars,8 bridges for the next 5 years, a Financial District arround the Airport, a possible Toyota assembly plant and several others projects place Aguascalientes as the 3rd most competitive state in Mexico with more than 12,000,000 millons dollars 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 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 5°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 which 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".

Sports

At present, the state has one first-division football team (Club Necaxa) and one professional basketball team (Las Panteras The Panthers).

Municipalities

Main article: Municipalities of Aguascalientes

Aguscalientes is subdivided into 11 municipios ("municipalities").

Major communities

• Aguascalientes
• Asientos
• Calvillo
• Jesús María
• Pabellón de Arteaga
• Rincón de Romos
• San Francisco de los Romo

Trivia

In the American Western movie For A Few Dollars More, starring Clint Eastwood, Aguascalientes is the place where Eastwood and the bandidos escape from their bank robbery.

In the movie Fools Rush In starring Salma Hayek and Matthew Perry, Aguascalientes is the hometown of Salma´s character

Famous hidrocálidos

See also articles in the category People from Aguascalientes

• José María Bocanegra, third President of Mexico
• Saturnino Herrán, artist
• Manuel M. Ponce, musician
• Yadira Carrillo,actress
• José Guadalupe Posada, artist
• Violeta Retamoza, professional golfer
• José Antonio Zapata, journalist
• Iyérida Mogollón Martin, Elite Gymnast
• Matías Lozano Díaz de León, Journalist
• Mario Mora Barba, Journalist
• Luz Helisabet Delgado, Wife of Joshua Ingraham
• Monica Del Real, Tae Kwon Do olimpic medalist

External links

• Template:Es icon Aguascalientes state government
• Pictures of Aguascalientes Photo set of the City of Aguascalientes