| Jesús María | |
|---|---|
| — Municipality and city — | |
| Location of the municipality in Jalisco | |
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Jesús María
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| Coordinates: | |
| Country | Mexico |
| State | Jalisco |
| Area | |
| • Total | 489.29 km2 (188.9 sq mi) |
| Population (2005) | |
| • Total | 17,884 |
| Time zone | Central Standard Time (UTC-6) |
| • Summer (DST) | Central Daylight Time (UTC-5) |
Jesús María is a town in the region of Los Altos of the Mexican state of Jalisco, approximately 2 hours east of Guadalajara. The population of Jesús María is 17,884 as of 2005.
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The official name of Jesús María Municipality has its origin in the colonial age that is why in its respective name there is no reference to any pre-Hispanic word
The city was founded in 1530 by Spaniard Nuño de Guzmán who worked under Hernán Cortés. The town use to be part of the Spanish Empire (New Spain) before the Revolution, part of Nueva Galicia. In 1776 it was named Barranca de Viudas, after three Spanish women who founded the town. The region before that was populated by different tribes, The Toltecs (623 to 626) Chichimecas (800-1150)the Huicholes and finally the Aztecs in 1164 till the Spanish Conquest.
The indigenous population in Jesus Maria as of 2005 is .03%. Most are in colonial terms Criollos (Mexican born Spaniards) or Mestizos (Amerindian and European Spanish).
Most of its economy depends on Agriculture. 90% of it is Corn, the rest are Beans, Wheat, Pumpkin, sabila and Agave for Tequila production. Stockbreeding is used for exports to Guadalajara and 51% is used for internal consumption and sale. Industry- There is some Factories for Candy, Tequila, Shoe Making and Clothes. Tourism- Templo Parroquial is a popular landmark constructed between 1835 and 1840. It is 30 meters high and has an unusual squared look to it. During the Months of December and January for the "Las Fiestas Patronales" thousands of people from all over Mexico and the United States return to celebrate in honor of "La Sagrada Familia"