Tlaquepaque

Tlaquepaque
City
San Pedro Tlaquepaque
San Pedro Tlaquepaque

Flag
Coat of arms
Nickname(s): Spanish: La villa alfarera
(English: Potter's village)
Tlaquepaque
Coordinates: 20°40′N 103°21′W / 20.667°N 103.350°W / 20.667; -103.350Coordinates: 20°40′N 103°21′W / 20.667°N 103.350°W / 20.667; -103.350
Country  Mexico
State  Jalisco
Region Centro
Municipality Tlaquepaque
Foundation 25 March 1530
Government
 • Mayor Alfredo Barba (PRI)
Area
 • City 270 km2 (100 sq mi)
Elevation 1,870 m (6,140 ft)
Population (2010)
 • City 575,942
 • Density 2,100/km2 (5,500/sq mi)
 • Metro 4,424,252
 • Metro density 1,583/km2 (4,100/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Tlaquepaquense
Time zone UTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)

Tlaquepaque (Spanish pronunciation: [tlakeˈpake]), historically San Pedro Tlaquepaque, is a city and the surrounding municipality in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

Geography

During the 20th century, it was absorbed by the outward spread of the state capital, and is now a fully integrated part of the Guadalajara conurbation, lying only a few kilometers from the city center. The city had a 2010 census population of 575,942, making it the third largest city in the state, behind only Guadalajara proper, and Zapopan, another city in the metro area. The municipality's area is 270.88 km2 (104.59 sq mi) and lies adjacent to the south side of Guadalajara. Its largest community besides Tlaquepaque is the town of Santa Anita, at the municipality's southwestern corner.

History

The name Tlaquepaque derives from Nahuatl and means "place above clay land". The area is famous for its pottery and blown glass.

Main sights

Tlaquepaque features El Parián, a large plaza flanked by columned arcades and surrounded by restaurants and bars. The main square in the city centre is known as El Jardín Hidalgo ("Hidalgo Garden"), named after Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, the "Father of Mexican Independence." A larger-than-life statue of Hidalgo dominates the square. Other main features include the two important churches, El Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad (The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Solitude) and San Pedro (Saint Peter), and the Benito Juárez market.

Culture

Tlaquepaque is known for its mariachi bands. During the annual San Pedro festivities, El Jardín is filled with stalls and street sellers. On the day of San Pedro itself, towering firework-festooned structures known as the Castillo ("castle") and Toro ("bull") are set alight.

Tlaquepaque is also known for its famous tepache, a partially fermented drink made with pineapple, brown sugar and water.

Sister cities

References

  1. 1 2 "Interactive City Directory". Sister Cities International. Retrieved 11 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Se unen Tlaquepaque y Cozumel..., Retrieved 25 January 2015
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