Cihuatlán

Cihuatlán
Municipality and town

Town square in Cihuatlán, showing church building and plaza

Coat of arms

Municipality location in Jalisco
Cihuatlán

Location in Mexico

Coordinates: 19°15′N 104°34′W / 19.250°N 104.567°W / 19.250; -104.567
Country  Mexico
State Jalisco
Area
 • Total 713.70 km2 (275.56 sq mi)
Population (2005)
 • Total 30,241
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
 • Summer (DST) CDT (UTC-5)

Cihuatlán is a coastal municipality in the Mexican state of Jalisco. Its main city is also named Cihuatlán. It existed when the Spanish first seized Mexico from the Aztecs and was fittingly allowed to retain its name, which in the nahuat language means place of women.

Etymology

The word Cihuatlán is compounded of two words of nahuatl origin, a language spoken in Central Mexico since the seventh century AD and the language of the Aztecs: Zihua, woman, and Tlán place; therefore Cihuatlán means place of women.

History

Cihuatlán and the Marabasco river delta

The town was founded on the Marabasco river, and at the time of the Spanish conquest its population was about 500 women and only 20 men. The first Spanish expedition to the Jalisco coastal zone was led by Gonzalo de Sandoval and in a message from Hernán Cortés to the King of Spain, dated 1528, it is mentioned that the Province of Cihuatlán was, indeed, a 'place of women'. It also had valuables such as gold and pearls.

By decree of the President of the Republic of Mexico, on December 16, 1825, the harbour Barra de Navidad was rebuilt in order to accommodate local and foreign trade.

Coat of arms

The Cihuatlán coat of arms is in a French style with cross-sectioning. In the upper left section is the image of a pre-Hispanic woman's head. In the upper right section is a ship sailing on the sea. In the bottom left section is a religious building and in the bottom right section, a view of a fertile valley.

Most important villages

See also

Coordinates: 19°15′N 104°34′W / 19.250°N 104.567°W / 19.250; -104.567

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