Guanajuato State

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Introducing Guanajuato State

The rocky highland state of Guanajuato (population 4.9 million) is full of riches of every kind. In colonial times, mineral resources attracted Spanish prospectors to mine for silver, gold, iron, lead, zinc and tin. For two centuries the state produced enormous wealth, extracting up to 40% of the world’s silver. Silver barons in Guanajuato city enjoyed opulent lives at the expense of indigenous people who worked the mines, first as slave labor and then as wage slaves. Eventually, resenting the dominance of Spanish-born colonists, the well-heeled criollo class of the Guanajuato and Querétaro states contributed to plans for rebellion.

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These days, the state’s treasures are the quaint colonial towns of Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende. The industrial town of León is important economically as a center of leather production. Visitors to this region can enjoy its precious legacies: stunning colonial architecture, established cultural scenes and a stream of never-ending festivals…not to mention friendly, proud locals and lively university scenes.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009

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Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. mexicoaddict avatar
    Re: Guanajuato: Language Schools

    by mexicoaddict 11 September 2011

    Hello, My family (wife and daughter) have studied several times at Escuela Mexicana in Guanajuato. They both loved it and have improved…
  2. JRinPV avatar
    RE: recommendations for Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa, Guanajuato and San Miguel

    by JRinPV 10 September 2011

    Annie, I agree Guillermo is a great guy. Are you in the one at Remance or the new one downtown ?
  3. annie_graham avatar
    Re: recommendations for Puerto Vallarta, Yelapa, Guanajuato and San Miguel

    by annie_graham 09 September 2011

    For future reference, you might consider the Oasis Hostel in Puerto Vallarta. I am currently staying here and I have nothing but good…

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