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Oaxaca:
The name
"Oaxaca" stems from the náhuatl word
Huaxyacac, meaning "on the nose of the
gourds". The state, founded on February 3,
1824, lies along the southeast region of the Mexican
Pacific, bordering the states of Puebla and Veracruz to
the north, Chiapas to the east and Guerrero to the west.
It is the 5th largest state of the Mexican Republic.
Oaxaca is
divided into 570 municipalities, with a total population
of some 3.3 million inhabitants, of which over two
million are of indigenous groups. It is a ruggedly
mountainous state whose isolated valleys were settled by
diverse tribes which have over the years preserved an
astounding degree of their individual cultures and
languages. 16 distinct ethnolinguistic groups are
represented by the population: the Amuzgo, Chatino,
Chinanteco, Chocho, Chontal, Cuicateco, Huave, Ixcateco,
Mazateco, Mixe, Mixteco, Náhuatl, Triqui, Zapoteco,
Zoque and the Popoloca.
The
Central Valley in the interior of the state offers the
visitor numerous small villages whose inhabitants
specialize in regional arts and crafts such as
hand-woven rugs, black pottery, colorful, carved wooden
figurines, shawls and other textiles. Here also is a
wealth of precolumbian archaeological sites and
ceremonial centers such as Monte Alban and Mitla.
Places,
Activities and other items of Interest
Huatulco
- a new ecological resort area consisting of a series
of gorgeous bays on the Pacific Coast.
Mezcal
Factory - A visit to a Oaxacan Mezcal factory near
Mitla
Mazunte
- a small beachside community, home to the Centro
Mexicano de la Tortuga (Mexican Turtle Center) and a
natural cosmetics factory.
Mitla
- Mitla's quaint, narrow and colorful streets are home
textile merchants as well as to a great number of
Mezcal producers and vendors. Visit the church and
neighboring archaeological site.
Monte
Alban - Five miles to the west of Oaxaca City lie
the spectacular Monte Alban ruins, perched on a
mountaintop high above the surrounding valleys.
Oaxaca
City - Capital of the State of Oaxaca, Oaxaca city
is rich in colonial architecture as well as native
crafts and culture.
Puerto
Angel - A quaint and quiet fishing village on the
Pacific Coast, with Zipolite beach nearby.
Puerto
Escondido - A surfer's paradise, Puerto
Escondido's Zicatela beach is known as the
"Mexican Pipeline".
San
Bartolo Coyotepec - located 15 km south of Oaxaca
City, San Bartolo Coyotepec is known for its
production of black clay pottery. The technique
involves the smoking and careful stone polishing the
pots and the firing of them at a relatively low
temperature, producing pottery with a rich, black
sheen.
Teotitlan
del Valle - A small village in the hills known for
its production of fine, hand-woven, woolen rugs. Visit
the local museum, Balaa Xtee Guedchi Gulal
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