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Oaxaca is the name of both a state in Mexico as well that state's capital city. Oaxaca, also known as Oaxaca de Juárez, is located southeast of Mexico City (X). X *
La Tierra del Sol or Land of the Sun - enjoys near perfect weather year round, with tropical sunlight almost daily and ideal temperatures.
Los Zapotecas The Zapotecas were amongst the first group of indigenous people to settle in Oaxaca. The Zapotecs were skilled in astronomy and excavation, they created the ceremonial center, Monte Albán.
Monte Albán Monte Albán is a famous Zapotec archaeological site. These ruins are located at the top of a high mountain west of Oaxaca. Here you can find many tombs and pyramid temples. Monte Albán was constructed by the Zapotecs around 500 B.C. Monte Albán is centered around the Grand Plaza with different sections surrounding it.
Las Partes de Monte Albán The observatory The ball court The Dancer Carvings Pyramid Temple
El Zócalo o La Plaza de la Constitución The center of the town is the Zócalo. Here there are vendors, bands playing, cafés and stores. The Zócalo is also where La Catedral and El Palacio de Gobierno are located.
La Catedral de Oaxaca Located in el Zócalo…La Catedral was built in 1550 and rebuilt due to an earthquake in 1696.
El Palacio de Gobierno The Ex Government Palace is on the southern side of the Zócalo. It presently houses different government offices. At the top of the main staircase there is an impressive mural by the Mexican muralist Arturo García Bustos. The mural depicts historical and mythical events of Oaxaca City.
This government building is well noted for its famous murals depicting the important role of Oaxaca in Mexico’s independence.
La Iglesia de Santo Domingo The Iglesia de Santo Domingo is a Dominican church. The interior walls and ceiling of the Baroque church are adorned with gold ornamentation and colorful frescoes.
El Ex-Convento de Santo Domingo Next to the church there is a former convent that is now a museum. This museum holds many artifacts from Monte Albán’s Tomb 7.
El Museo Rufino Tamayo This museum. holds the personal collection of Rufino Tamayo’s pre- Columbian art collection. It also holds his paintings and sculptures.
El arte de Rufino Tamayo
Rufino Tamayo
La Calle Alcalá La calle Alcalá is a pedestrian only street surrounded by shops filled with artesania.
El Mercado Juárez The Mercado Juárez is a large market, where you can bargain with the vendors. They sell all types of artesanía (hand made crafts)
El Barro Negro Hand-made black pottery. Doña Rosa
El Alebrije Hand-made & hand-painted wood carvings, usually of animals.
Los tapetes Hand-woven rugs
They are also known for their jewelry making skills. Las Joyas
El mole negro Mole is a rich, smooth sauce. The word 'mole' comes from the Nahuatl word 'molli,' meaning concoction, mixture stew or sauce. Mole contains many different ingredients chiles & chocolate usually served over chicken.
Chapulines (fried grasshoppers) are fried in chilies, salted and served with lime. You can order them in Oaxaca ’s cafes, buy them in food markets or from street vendors who sell them like popcorn. They are eaten as snacks or as part of a main dish. ¡Que rico! Chapulines
TEJATE Tejate is Oaxaca's traditional energy drink, 'the drink of the gods.‘ It was originally served to the ruling elite of Zapotec society. Tejate is usually served in markets in lovely hand- painted, gourd bowls called jícaras. The ingredient list is complex. It is made from corn, roasted cacao beans, mamey seed and rosita flowers (flor cacahuaxochitl). The ingredients are blended in a thick mass, which is gradually thinned with water.
TASAJO a salted beef skirt steak
La Guelagetza The festival of Guelaguetza is celebrated on the last two Mondays of July. Guelaguetza honors the diverse cultures that contribute to Oaxaca, giving communities from around the state the opportunity to share their music, traditional costumes, dances and food. The main event takes place in the city's open-air amphitheater located on Cerro del Fortín, a nearby historic hill.
People from Oaxaca are called oaxaqueños – The most famous is Benito Juarez, the 1st elected President of Mexico. Benito Juárez
la bandera mexicana
Enrique Peña Nieto current Mexican President