C O L I M A , M E X I C O One Of The Oldest Cities In Mexico, Is Also The State Capital City Of Colima. The name comes from the Nahuatl word 'collimaitl', with 'colli' meaning 'ancestors or gods' and 'maitl' meaning 'the domain of...'. Colima became a state in 1857, located inland on Hwy 110, at an elevation of approximately 500 meters (1650' feet). The Otomi, Nahuatl, Tolteca, Chichimeca and Tarasca cultures flourished here between 2000 B.C. and 1000 A.D. |
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Hotel
Ceballos (Best Western) Caracoles Costeño Dinastía Fiesta
Inn Colima Gran
Hotel Flamingos Hospedajes
del Rey La
Merced Los
Candiles María
Isabel Mexicali Misión
Colima María Victoria Núñez Plaza
Madero Posada
de los García Reforma Río San
Cristóbal San
Lorenzo
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The Spanish arrived to conquer Colima in 1522, but King Rey Colimán, recognized the threat presented by the conquistadors and resisted their incursion into his land. The indigenous forces initially won their battles against a surprised Spanish army, but in 1523 they lost a decisive battle in Caxitlán. The land was then divided into parcels, today these areas are known as Minatitlán, Comala, Coquimatlán and Conde de Terreros. In 1540, the Spaniards constructed a royal road between Colima and Mexico City. This new route quickly turned Colima into a vital center of commerce, with the port of Manzanillo centrally located on the Pacific coast, playing a key role in transporting goods for the King of Spanish. The Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve covers the entire region of Colima's border with the neighboring state of Jalisco. Over 2,700 species of plants, with over 40% being native to Mexico, approximately one fourth of Mexico's species of mammals and one third of its bird species find a safe haven in the protected habitat, known as a 'cloud forest'. Colima two volcano peaks: Nevado de Colima (4,330 metres), which is older and inactive, and 5 km to the north a younger and very active 3,860 metre tall Volcán de Colima. A history of pyroclastic flows are visible running down the sides of the mountain. Colima's volcano has been active for about five million years, since the late Pleistocene era. Where huge landslides occurred on the mountain, with approximately 25 km of debris travelling westward for over 120 km, all of the way to the Pacific Ocean. Approximately 300,000 people live within 40 km of the volcano currently, because of its history of large eruptions and being situated in a densely populated area, the volcano has been designated a 'Decade Volcano', singling it out for special international study. Click here for a map of Decade Volcanoes. (link will open a new window) Temperatures are fairly constant year round in Colima city, with variation depending on the elevation - being much cooler in the mountain areas, than down in the city. In the winter, temperatures can get down to the low 20's°c in the evening (mid 60's°f). Summers can be sweltering, with temperatures to the mid to high 90's°f (high 30's°c), to sometimes well over 100°f. The rainy season falls between July and September, when most of Colima's 40 inches (1,010 millimeters) of annual rainfall occurs. The 'Feria de Todos los Santos Colima' is Colima's state fair, which occurs over a 2 week period, from late October to early November. Featuring livestock, local produce, Tecoman limes, traditional cuisine and alley and walkways of vendors from Colima and surrounding states. According to legend, the beautiful crystaline waters from the rivers and lakes of Colima are protected by the 'chanos', or 'chaneques' (spirits or elfish creatures), these deities of the waters are related to the Aztec god of rain and fertility, Tláloc ('he who makes things sprout').
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Airlines
Include: The Miguel de la Madrid Airport is approximately 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) northeast of Colima on the highway to Guadalajara, in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc.
Colima Archeological Sites
Ciudad
de Villa de Álvarez In early February, the 'Fiesta Charrotaurina' is celebrated in Villa de Alvarez. Two weeks of rodeos, bullfighting, a carnival and local cuisine. One of the biggest celebrations in the entire state. |
