Colima

Colima, state (1990 pop. 428,510), 2,010 sq mi (5,206 sq km), SW Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. The capital is Colima; the port is Manzanillo. The second smallest in population and one of the smallest in area of the Mexican states, Colima is wedged between Jalisco, which nearly surrounds it, and Michoacán. It includes the islands of Revillagigedo off the coast. Most of the state lies within the cool highlands of the Sierra Madre Occidental. The active Colima Volcano, or Volcano of Fire (12,533 ft/3,820 m high), and the neighboring peak, Nevado de Colima (14,235 ft/4,339 m high), are just across the border in Jalisco.

Sugarcane, bananas, and tropical fruits, as well as some of Mexico's finest coffee, are Colima's primary agricultural products. Colima is also one of Mexico's largest iron-producing states; the ore is processed at Lázaro Cárdenas. Economic development has been hindered by inadequate communications, although tourism is being developed along the coast.

Once part of the ancient Aztec kingdom of Colima, the region was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th cent. Wars between conservative and liberal forces during the 19th cent. brought much fighting to the state.

Colima, city (1990 pop. 106,967), capital of Colima state, SW Mexico. It is a marketing and processing center for the surrounding agricultural region. The city was founded in 1523 by the Spanish explorer Gonzalo de Sandoval.

City (pop., 2000: 119,639), capital of Colima state, Mexico. Located in west-central Mexico, it lies on the Colima River in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. Founded in 1522, it has played only a minor role in Mexican history because of its inaccessibility. Its industries centre on processing local agricultural products. It is the site of the University of Colima (1867).

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Colima is the name of a city and a state in Mexico. This article is about the city. For the state, see: state of Colima. There is also the Colima Volcano.

The city of Colima is the capital and main city of the Mexican state and municipality of the same name.

History

It is one of the oldest cities in Mexico.

Following the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the Spanish conquistadors were quick to reach the west coast. Colima's native king (Spanish: Rey Colimán) organized the defense of his kingdom against the Spanish.

In 1523 the conquistador Gonzalo de Sandoval founded the first Villa de Colima in Caxitlán, near modern-day Tecomán. However, poor settlement conditions resulted in the founding of the Villa San Sebastián de Colima in what is now the city of Colima. The new location provided a better climate, lands better suited to cultivation, and proximity to mining.

Disasters

An earthquake that took place on January 21, 2003, measuring 7.8 in magnitude caused extensive damage and claimed at least 24 lives in both Colima and neighboring Jalisco.

Demographics

In the 2005 census the city had a population of 123,597 people, and its municipality had a population of 132,273. The municipality encompasses an area of . The Colima metropolitan area, which includes the municipality of Villa de Álvarez, had a population of 232,394.

Climate

The mean annual temperature is . The annual precipitation is from 2.5–3.75 inches (64 to 95 mm), a majority of that being recorded from August to September.

Airport

The Lic. Miguel de la Madrid Airport (CLQ) is near the capital city, Colima, in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc. The Colima airport is 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) northeast of town on the highway to Guadalajara. Aeromar and Avolar both offer service to and from Colima.

References

• Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005 INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática
• Colima Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México

External links

• Ayuntamiento de Colima Official website

• Diario de Colima
• Colima Majic
• Colima and the Area