Colima
—  State  —
Estado Libre y Soberano de Colima
Flag Seal
Motto: El temple del brazo es vigor en la tierra (The spirit of the arm is force on earth)
State of Colima within Mexico
Country	Mexico
Capital	Colima
Largest City	Manzanillo
Largest Metropolitan Area	Colima–Villa de Álvarez
Admission	December 9, 1856[1][2]
Order	23rd
Government
• Governor	Mario Anguiano
• Senators[3]	Leticia Sosa Govea Jesús Dueñas Rogelio Rueda
• Deputies[4]	Federal Deputies • Hilda Ceballos Llerenas • Carlos Cruz Mendoza • Yulenny Cortés León • Alfonso Morán Sánchez • Pedro Peralta Rivas • Silva Indira Vizcaíno
Area[5]
• Total	5,625 km2 (2,172 sq mi)
	Ranked 29th
Highest elevation[6]	3,820 m (12,530 ft)
Population (2010)[7]
• Total	650,555
• Rank	31st
• Density	120/km2 (300/sq mi)
• Density rank	9th
Demonym	Colimense
Time zone	CST (UTC−6)
• Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC−5)
Postal code	28
Area code	Area codes • 312 • 313 • 314
ISO 3166 code	MX-COL
HDI	0.852 High Ranked 8th
GDP	US$ 3,548,555.6 mil[a]
Website	Official Web Site
^ a. The state's GDP was 45,421,512 million of pesos in 2008,[8] amount corresponding to 3,548,555.6 millon of dollars, being a dollar worth 12.80 pesos (value of June 3, 2010).[9]

Colima (Spanish pronunciation: [koˈlima]), officially Free and Sovereign State of Colima (Spanish: Estado Libre y Soberano de Colima), is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima.

Colima is a small state located in the Western Mexico region on Mexico’s central Pacific coast. It shares borders with the states of Jalisco and Michoacán. In addition to the capital city of Colima, the state's main cities include Manzanillo and Tecomán. Despite being the fourth smallest entity in Mexico with the lowest numerical population, the state has one of Mexico’s highest standards of living and lowest unemployment.

Geography and environment[link]

View of the volcanos from Carrizalillos Lake

La Audiencia Beach in Manzanillo

The state covered a territory of 5,455km2 and is the fourth smallest federal entity after Tlaxcala, Morelos and the Federal District of Mexico City, with only .3% of the country total territory.^[10][11] The state is located in the middle of Mexico’s Pacific coast, bordered by the states of Jalisco and Michoacán along with the Pacific Ocean. Colima’s territory also includes the Revillagigedo Islands which consist of Socorro, San Benedicto, Clarión and Roca Partida. They are under federal jurisdiction but are considered as part of the municipality of Manzanillo .^[10] Politically, the state is divided into ten municipalities .^[11] Natural geography divides the state into a northern and southern region. The north has a cooler climate due to the higher mountains. The south is hotter and includes the Pacific Ocean coastline. The Revillagigedo Islands are of volcanic origin which are dispersed along the19° north over an areas of about 400 km. In total, they cover an area of 205km2. The altitude of the state varies from zero at the coastline to 3,839 masl at the crater of the Colima Volcano .^[12]

The state is found within a derivation of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range and geographically consists of four mountain systems. The most important of these is the Cerro Grande and its related peaks of Jurípicho/Juluapan, Los Juanillos, La Astilla, El Ocote, El Peón, El Barrigón, San Diego and La Media Luna. The second consists of mountain chains parallel to the coast between the Marabasco and Armería Rivers, which include El Espinazo del Diablo, El Escorpión, El Tigre, El Aguacate, El Centinela, El Tora and La Vaca. The third is located between the Armería and Salado Rivers and include the Alcomún y Partida, San Miguel y Comala and San Gabriel/Callejones peaks. The last is found between the Salado and Naranjo or Coahuayana Rivers and contains small mountain chains such as the Piscila, Volcancillos, La Palmera, El Camichín and Copales. Three quarters of the state is covered by mountains and hills.^[10] At the very north of the state the border is marked by two volcanos. The Colima Volcano also called the Volcán de Fuego, which is active and the Nevado de Colima which is not. The Nevado de Colima is taller at 4,264 masl and gives its name to the national park that surrounds it. The Colima Volcano is 3825 masl and has a pyramidal peak in contrast to the other which has been leveled somewhat.^[13] The last major eruptions of the Colima Volcano occurred in 1998 and 1999.^[14]

The main rivers of the state are the Cihuatlán (also called the Chacala, Marabasco or Paticajo which forms the state’s border with Jalisco on the west, the Armería which descends from the Sierra de Cacoma and crosses the state north-south into the Pacific and the Coahuayana River. Another important river is the Salado River which flows entirely within Colima before emptying into the Coahuayana. Many of the state’s streams and arroyos empty into the Salado.^[10]

Colima has a relatively short coastline with a length of 139 km or 1.2% of Mexico’s total which extends from the Boca de Apiza to the Cerro de San Francisco in front of Barra de Navidad, Jalisco .^[10][15] Coastal lagoons include the Potrero Grande in Manzanillo along with the Miramar and the San Pedrito. On the Tecomán municipality coast there are the lagoons of Alcuzahua and Amela, with the Cuyutlán lagoon split between the municipalities of Armería and Manzanillo. Inland, there are various fresh water lakes, with the larger ones near the coast and smaller ones in the Valley of Colima. The valley lakes are fed by the runoff from the Colima Volcano and include the Carrizalillo, Las Cuatas, El Jabalí, El Calaboso, La María and La Escondida.^[10]

The predominant climate of the state is hot and relatively moist, with the coast particularly moist. One exception is the Tecomán municipality where the climate is dry and very hot. The mildest climates are found in the municipalities of Comala and Cuauhtémoc. On the coast, the average temperature varies from between 24 and 26C and in the near, at the highest elevations, the temperatures averages between 20 and 22 C.^[10]

Cropland covers 27% of the state’s territory, with another 28% dedicated to pasture. Forest covers 35% with the rest composed of bodies of water and urban areas. Most of the wild vegetation of western part of the state consists of rainforest of medium height which is moderately deciduous. Those plants that lose leaves do so in the dry season. These include commercially important trees such as red cedar, caobilla (Couratara guianensis), parota (Enterolobium cyclocarpum) and trees locally known as primavera, rosa morada, habillo, papelillo, barsino and salatón. From the west of Manzanillo and into the municipalities of Armería and Coquimatlán, there is rainforest of medium height with tree species such as copal (Bursera) and cuajilote (Parmentiera aculeate),with some pines, holm oaks and salt friendly mangrove forests and scrub.^[10]

There is great diversity of wildlife species although a number of mammal species such as ocelots, pumas, wild boar and deer are disappearing. Among the state’s rodents is the Xenomis nelson, a small rare animal little known outside Colima. Bird species include wild turkeys, although these have mostly disappeared, and a bird called the chachalaca. A number of ducks and other migratory birds pass through. Reptiles include crocodiles, with a nursery in Tecomán dedicated to their survival in the wild. Another important reptile is sea turtles.^[10]

Demographics[link]

In the latter part of the 20th century, Colima had a very high population growth, expanding from 112,321 in 1950 to 567,996 in 2005. However, this growth has slowed due to family planning programs.^[16] Despite this population growth, the state still ranks last of Mexico’s federal entities, with a total of 650,555 according to the 2010 census, only .6% of the country’s total.^[11][17] By 1980, the majority of the state’s population was living in urban centers.^[16] Today, 89% live in urban areas, above the national average of 78%.^[11] These urban populations are concentrated in the municipalities of Colima, Manzanillo, Tecomán and Villa de Alvarez .^[16]

The majority of the population is non-indigenous. As of 2005, only 2880 people were counted with the ability to speak an indigenous language.^[16] This is about 7 out of 1000 people, slightly higher than the nation’s average of 6 per 1000 people.^[11] However, there are ethnic Nahua and Otomi communities in Zacualpan and Suchitlán in the municipality of Comala, in Juluapan and Pueblo Nuevo in the municipality of Villa de Alvarez and in Las Pesadas in the municipality of Minatitlán. Over 95% of the state’s population is Catholic with small communities of other Christian groups making up the rest.^[16]

Principal communities[link]

Plaza and church in Comala

The city of Colima is capital and after which the state is named. It is located in the north central part of the state, just south of the foothills of the Colima Volcano in the Valley of Colima. The city began as a Spanish settlement which was originally established further south in 1523 but moved to the current location in 1527. The capital remains the state’s economic, political and cultural center.^[18][19][20]

Villa de Álvarez is part of the city of Colima’s metropolitan area. However, it maintains a distinct identity with its combination bullfighting and charreada events which is one of the oldest of its kind in northwestern Mexico. It is also known for late evening meals called cenadurias with often feature sopes, enchiladas, tostadas, pozole, atole and tamales. The city has its origins from the end of the 18th century, established by someone known only by his last name of Martínez, and called Los Martínez. In 1818, a strong earthquake sent many from nearby San Francisco to the area and it was renamed San Francisco de Almoloyan. It was recognized as a town in 1860, with the name of Villa de Álvarez in honor of the first governor of the state. It was designated a city in 1991.^[21]

Manzanillo is the state’s primary port and tourist destination, located on the Pacific coast less than two hour’s drive from the capital. Manzanillo is mostly popular with regional tourists and sports fishermen but there have been efforts to broaden its appeal.^[22][23] The city is one of Mexico’s important Pacific ports, handing regional merchandise and acting as an overflow port for other ports from Mexico to Los Angeles. Most of the state’s recent economic development has been related to this port.^[24]

Coquimatlán comes from a Nahuatl phrase meaning “land of networks” referring to the interconnected ravines in the area. It was founded in the very early colonial period and still maintains its narrow streets and old houses with large main doors of wood and balconies with simple ironwork.^[25] Tecomán is located in what has been an agricultural valley since the colonial era, today best known for its production of limes. The town is marked by an abstract sculpture depicting a lime tree created by sculptor Sebastián, which measures thirty meters in height and weighs 110 tons. In addition to being the main lime producer, the Tecoman Valley also produces cocoa, cotton, coconuts, mangos, papaya, avocados and melons.^[26]

Economy[link]

Example of Rangeliano style furniture

Colima Historical Centre

The state has a high level of socioeconomic development, with one of the highest standards of living in Mexico and lowest unemployment.^[22] In the state, 96% have running water, 82% have sewerage and 98% have electricity.^[20] The 2009 GDP of the state was 43,370,725,000 pesos;^[27] however, due to its small size and population, this is only .5% of Mexico’s total GDP.^[11] Most population and employment growth has been in the main urban areas of the state such as Colima, Villa de Alvarez, Manzanillo and Tecomán.^[19] According to INEGI (2010), 24.1% are employed in services. 20.4% in commerce, restaurants and hotels, 15.9% in transportation, storage and communications, 11.1% in finance, insurance and real estate, 9.5% in electricity, gas and water services, 5.7% in manufacturing, 5.1% in construction, 4.9% in agriculture and livestock and 3.8% in mining.^[28]

Agriculture, forestry and fishing employ 1.2% of the state’s population and contribute 8.45% to its GDP. Colima produces about half of Mexico’s lime crop, and is second in the production of coconut meat and tuna .^[29] The principal markets for Colima’s agricultural products, especially produce is Guadalajara, Mexico City, Puebla and Monterrey .^[20] During the dry season, there is migration from the rural areas into the urban ones as most agricultural work takes place during the rainy season. Most farm work consists of the harvesting of fruit. The agricultural production supports an agro-industry which attracts workers from neighboring Jalisco and Michoacán .^[16] Most of Colima’s agriculture is based on perennial plants such as fruit trees, producing limes, coconuts, mangos and bananas accounting for ninety percent of the volume of agricultural production and 79% of its value.^[10][19] Colima is the primary producer of limes in Mexico. Other important crops include corn, rice, melons, sorghum, chili peppers, coffee, tomatoes and tomatillos.^[19]

By volume the most important livestock is that of cattle, followed by domestic fowl, then honey and beeswax. Most livestock production is in the north of the state due to climate, and also includes pigs, goats and sheep.^[10][19] Commercially productive forest stands at about 108,225 hectares with about sixty percent of the trees able to be sold. These forests are mostly rainforest with some areas of holm oak. Forestry has been decreasing in the state due to conservation measures.^[10]

Fishing is concentrated on the coastline in ocean waters of about 641km2 as well as in 8350 hectares of lagoons and 2032 inland bodies of waters. There is also about 3000 hectares dedicated to fish farming. Fish production has increased considerably since the 1980s, most of which is due to more intensive ocean activities but fish production from rivers and lakes has also grown at about twelve percent as well. Principle catches include tuna and squid in which Colima ranks nationally at third and fourth place respectively. Other commercial species that exist include huachinangos, red porgy, combers, wahoo, mojarra and more. Fish farming is mostly dedicated raising of shrimp along lakes and lagoons such as Cuyutlán, Chupadero and Potrero Grande, with an annual production of about 5,000 tons. There is also some raising of oysters as well. The fishing industry in the state supports a canning industry mostly for tuna, shrimp and octopus along with the freezing of fish filets.^[19]

Mining, construction and utilities employ 18.5% of the population and generate 27.53% of the GDP. Half of this is from the production of electricity, gas and water services. Mining is next in importance with the production of iron, mostly from the Peña Colorada, the largest deposit in the country.^[10][29] Manufacturing contributes 4.7% of the state’s GDP with 2,007 units of production. Most facilities produce beverages, metal structures, canned foods, cereals, furniture, printed materials, building supplies and dairy products.^[29]

Handcrafts in the state are mostly produced for local needs rather than the tourist market. One distinguished craft is the making of palm frond hats, including a local style called the colimote. Ixtlahuacán is noted for its production of hammocks. Other items include huarache sandals, boots, bird cages, cold cuts and costumes and masks for traditional dance. These costumes include "Indian" dresses decorated with cross stitch. The state is also known for the production of handcrafted furniture, especially those based on the designs of Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo, from Comala.^[30] Villa de Álvarez produces decorative objects in fine wood. Suchitlán in the municipality of Comala is distinguished by its production of masks and other accessories for festivals and ceremonies. Villages on the sides of the Cerro Grande are the principal producers of baskets made from reeds and palm fronds. Santiago in the municipality of Manzanillo is noted for crafts made of seashell and snail shells. The main craft in the city of Colima is the reproduction of archeological pieces, especially ceramics of the old red-burnished (rojo-bruñido) style.^[30]

About two thirds of the state’s GDP is from commerce and services which include transportation and storage, mostly linked with the Manzanillo port. Economic growth associated with the port continues to grow by double digits.^[29] Most commercial activity in general is concentrated in the cities of Colima, Tecomán and Manzanillo, which have the most developed communications, transportation and other infrastructure. The main distribution center is the city of Colima handing both basic commodities and industrial and other commercial merchandise for the rest of the state.^[20] Just under 95% of Colima’s commercial enterprises are retail outlets with 5.6% involved in wholesale. Only three percent of these enterprises are modern facilities with twenty one traditional markets, forty five major tianguis and numerous corner stores still dominating the state. Commercial sales increase by about five percent per year.^[20]

Much of the state’s tourism is centered on its beaches which include those of Manzanillo as well as those found in the municipalities of Armería and Tecomán. Manzanillo is the most popular in the state and a major tourism destination for Mexico’s Pacific coast. For this reason it has developed infrastructure with hotels, restaurants, golf courses, and other attractions.^[23] For Holy Week 2011, one of Mexico’s busiest vacation times, the state gained 175 million pesos and had a hotel occupany of 94%, 7% higher than the previous year. 70,249 visited during that period. Most of the visitors were at the state’s beaches with the busiest being Cuyutlán, El Real and Miramar.^[31]

Tourist attractions[link]

Santiago Beach in Manzanillo

MS Queen Victoria in Manzanillo

Colima’s most important tourism destination is the beaches of Manzanillo, which is popular among those in western Mexico as well as many sports fishermen. Historically, the port was the point of departure for various maritime expeditions and received the annual Manila Galleon from the Philippines. It has called itself the “World Capital of the Sailfish” since 1957 when 336 species were caught off its shores. The abundance of this fish along with marlin has made it a popular destination with sports fishermen and the city holds the annual Dorsey International fishing tournament.^[23] However, it is not as well known or as well visited as other Pacific destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, despite long sandy beaches and docks for cruise ships. In the 2000s, the city worked to renovate its downtown, with all buildings now showing white facades and many with red tile roofs.^[22]

The second most important destination is the small town of Comala, a small traditional town near the capital of Colima. Comala was named a “Pueblo Mágico” in 2002 because of its natural surroundings and traditional architecture, which its downtown declared a historic monument. Since 1962, all the buildings in the town have been painted white and most have red tile roofs, giving it the nickname of “White Village of America.”^[32][33]

Most of the other attractions of the state are related to its history, and most of these are in and around the capital city of Colima. The former state government palace is located in the center of the city of Colima and dates from the 19th century. The main stairwell contains a mural by Colima painter Jorge Chávez Carrillo. The Palacio Federal is near Jardín Núñez in the city of Colima and dates from the beginning of the 20th century. The upper floor contains murals with scenes depicting Mexico City and portraits of people from Mexico’s history. The Archive of the History of the State is located at Jardín Juárez in the city of Colima. It dates from the early 20th century and was home to the Escuela de Artes Aplicadas. San Francisco de Almoloyan in the city of Colima is the ruins of an old Franciscan monastery from the 16th century. The Mesón de Caxitlán on the Colima Tecomán highway is the ruins of an old in on the former royal road from the 18th century.^[32]

Other important attractions include a number of former haciendas, many of which have been renovated. The Del Carmen hacienda is located in the municipality of Villa de Álvarez. It was a cattle ranch from the 19th century which has been restored. The San Antonio hacienda is located in the municipality of Comala. It was a coffee plantation from the 19th century with a chapel and aqueduct which has all been restored. The former Nogueras hacienda in Comala has a main house that dates from the 19th century and a chapel from the 17th. It has been restored and is used primarily as a museum.^[32]

Culture[link]

Indigenous, Spanish, African and Philippine cultures have played a part in the shaping of the state, although traces can be hidden in modern local cultures and traditions. Most crafts and dances of the state are of indigenous origin although some originated after the Conquest. The Spanish contributed bullfighting and charreada. African influenced dialects such as guango and candingo still exists and giant costume/puppets called mojigangos are of African origin as well. The popularity of coconuts in the state is derived from Philippine and other Asian slaves that were brought to the state. Among the most popular folk dances in the state include those which tell the story of the Spanish conquest, which goes under various names such as “conquista,” “Virgin of Guadalupe,” “capotes” and “malinches.” Another popular dance is called “apaches.” Both originated during the colonial period, along with “moros y cristianos” and “matachines.” Dances with indigenous roots include “sonajera india” and “morenos.” Pastorelas, or short plays with religious themes, are traditions that began in the very early colonial period. One popular one from that time is the “Adoration of the Three Wise Men” although it has evolved to meet modern tastes.^[34]

There are a number of important local festivals and other annual events. January 6 is the Los Chayacates de Ixtlahuacán, which is a mix of indigenous and Catholic practices based on the pastorela and the cultivation cycle of corn. On the Tuesday after Epiphany is the “Entrance of the Señor de la Expiración” in Rancho de Villa. On this date the image returns to this village from Coquimatlán. It includes parades, dances, fireworks and jaripeos.^[34][35] Candlemas is an important event in Tecomán with traditional dances and fair.^[34] Candlemas in Suchitlán is the most important annual event in the region, celebrated with dances such as Los Gallitos, Los Apaches and Los Morenos. The last two dances involved dancers with elaborately carved and decorated masks.^[35]

Villa de Álvarez celebrates its annual Fiestas Charro-Taurinas, which originally was the feast of the city’s patron saint, Philip of Jesus. In additions to bullfights and charreadas, mojigangas are featured as well. The Paspaques of Suchitlán on 19 March is celebrated by the Nahuas of this small village, which is an agricultural ritual of pre-Hispanic origin. Center to it is the preparation of corn in various ways such as tortillas, tamales, pozole and more. Holy Week is a major event in many municipalities which often hold passion plays during the week.^[34]

The Feria de Manzanillo occurs from 29 April to 1 May and celebrates the anniversary of its designation as a major port (Puerto de Altura). It is held with street parties, dances, contests and jaripeos.^[35] 3 May is the Day of the Holy Cross, important in Suchitlán and celebrated with the “morenos” dance.^[34] The Fiestas del Cristo de Caña in Quesería in May revolves around a Christ image of the 18th century which came to the area from Pátzcuaro. It is celebrated with horse races, mojigangas, traditional dance, processions and music.^[35] On 29 September Tamala, municipality of Ixtlahuacán celebrates the feast of the Archangel Michael with a change of “mayordomos” (festival sponsors) .^[34]

The most important festival in the state is Day of the Dead. For the week before and the week after, the state’s Agricultural, Industral and Cultural Fair is held.^[34] On 1 November, the city of Colima has a agricultural, livestock, commerce and industry fair which includes dances, parades with floats and a charreada.^[35] Pastorelas are most commonly seen during December between the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe (12 December) and Christmas.^[34] Comala celebrates the feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe from the first to the 12 of December with processions, bullfights, jaripeos, cockfights and on the eighth with a dance to popular music, floats and fireworks.^[35]

The state has produced one internationally famous artist named Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo. He is best known for its illustration of Christmas cards for UNICEF in the 1960s, but he also did other work and even designed furniture in a style now called Rangeliano. Many of his works are preserved at his former home of the Nogueras Hacienda in Comala, which is now a museum and cultural center run by the University of Colima .^[36][37] Other noted artists from the state include Alfonso Michel, Gabriel Portillo del Toro, Mercedes Zamora, Jorge Chávez Carrillo, Pancha Magaña and Juan Soriano. Noted writers include Gregorio Torres Quintero, Fray Juan de Grijalva, Balbino Dávalos Balkin and Felipe Sevilla del Río .^[38]