Guerrero Attractions
Mexican State
The state of Guerrero is bounded on the north by the states of México and Morelos, on the north-west by Michoacán, on the north-east and east by Puebla and Oaxaca and on the south and west by the Pacific. It lies on both sides of the Sierra Madre del Sur and is thus one of the most mountainous and unspoiled regions in Mexico, although a series of major tourist resorts have developed along its coast. Apart from the great river system of the Río Balsas and the Río Papagayo it has a number of smaller rivers flowing into the Pacific.
Guerrero is mainly inhabitated by mestizos and various Indian tribes including the Nahua, Tlapanecs, Mixtecs and Chatino; in the south-east there are still some descendants of negro slaves.
Archaeological Sites
A large number of archaeological sites have been discovered in the state, but they have either not been excavated or are of relatively little interest. Among them are Los Monos, Mommoxtli, Ixcateopan and Xochipala.
The caves of Juxtlahuaca and Oxtotitlán (pre-Columbian wall- paintings - see Chilpancingo) are well worth a visit.
History
The region was probably already settled in the Archaic period. The first archaeological remains were left by the mysterious Olmecs, who came to this area c. 1000 bc from the Gulf coast by way of the central highlands, probably seeking jade, and left traces of their presence in the form of rock paintings and terracotta and jade figures. Practically nothing is known of the people who created the Mezcala style (stylised geometric figures carved in various kinds of stone). In this region Olmec and Teotihuacán styles have evidently fused to produce a new artistic whole. Figurines and masks in pure Teotihuacán style have also, however, been found in Guerrero. The later development of metalworking in central Mexico is attributed to possible influences from Peru, Colombia and Costa Rica, passing by way of Guerrero. In the post-Classic period (950-1521) the predominant cultural influences were those of the Mixtecs and later the Aztecs, who conquered part of Guerrero in the mid 15th c.
Between 1522 and 1532 the Spanish conquistadors, under Cristóbal de Olid, Gonzalo de Sandoval and Hurtado de Mendoza, conquered parts of Guerrero and advanced to the coast. During the colonial period the important route from the Pacific port of Acapulco to Mexico City and on to the Gulf of Mexico passed through Guerrero. The state of Guerrero was established in 1849 and named after Vicente Guerrero, one of the leading fighters for Mexican independence and the second President of the Republic.
Economy
In addition to mining for silver, gold, mercury, lead, tin, zinc and sulphur, the main elements in the economy of Guerrero are agriculture (sugar-cane, cotton, coffee, tobacco, vanilla and corn) and forestry (hardwood and rubber). Tourism also makes a major contribution, the great tourist centres being Taxco, Acapulco and Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa.
Sights
In addition to the capital, Chilpancingo and the major tourist centres of Taxco, Acapulco and Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, there is also the town of Iguala. Agustin Iturbide promulgated the "Iguala Plan" which laid the foundations for the practical achievement of Mexican independence.
The state of Guerrero is bounded on the north by the states of México and Morelos, on the north-west by Michoacán, on the north-east and east by Puebla and Oaxaca and on the south and west by the Pacific. It lies on both sides of the Sierra Madre del Sur and is thus one of the most mountainous and unspoiled regions in Mexico, although a series of major tourist resorts have developed along its coast. Apart from the great river system of the Río Balsas and the Río Papagayo it has a number of smaller rivers flowing into the Pacific.
Guerrero is mainly inhabitated by mestizos and various Indian tribes including the Nahua, Tlapanecs, Mixtecs and Chatino; in the south-east there are still some descendants of negro slaves.
Archaeological Sites
A large number of archaeological sites have been discovered in the state, but they have either not been excavated or are of relatively little interest. Among them are Los Monos, Mommoxtli, Ixcateopan and Xochipala.
The caves of Juxtlahuaca and Oxtotitlán (pre-Columbian wall- paintings - see Chilpancingo) are well worth a visit.
History
The region was probably already settled in the Archaic period. The first archaeological remains were left by the mysterious Olmecs, who came to this area c. 1000 bc from the Gulf coast by way of the central highlands, probably seeking jade, and left traces of their presence in the form of rock paintings and terracotta and jade figures. Practically nothing is known of the people who created the Mezcala style (stylised geometric figures carved in various kinds of stone). In this region Olmec and Teotihuacán styles have evidently fused to produce a new artistic whole. Figurines and masks in pure Teotihuacán style have also, however, been found in Guerrero. The later development of metalworking in central Mexico is attributed to possible influences from Peru, Colombia and Costa Rica, passing by way of Guerrero. In the post-Classic period (950-1521) the predominant cultural influences were those of the Mixtecs and later the Aztecs, who conquered part of Guerrero in the mid 15th c.
Between 1522 and 1532 the Spanish conquistadors, under Cristóbal de Olid, Gonzalo de Sandoval and Hurtado de Mendoza, conquered parts of Guerrero and advanced to the coast. During the colonial period the important route from the Pacific port of Acapulco to Mexico City and on to the Gulf of Mexico passed through Guerrero. The state of Guerrero was established in 1849 and named after Vicente Guerrero, one of the leading fighters for Mexican independence and the second President of the Republic.
Economy
In addition to mining for silver, gold, mercury, lead, tin, zinc and sulphur, the main elements in the economy of Guerrero are agriculture (sugar-cane, cotton, coffee, tobacco, vanilla and corn) and forestry (hardwood and rubber). Tourism also makes a major contribution, the great tourist centres being Taxco, Acapulco and Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa.
Sights
In addition to the capital, Chilpancingo and the major tourist centres of Taxco, Acapulco and Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa, there is also the town of Iguala. Agustin Iturbide promulgated the "Iguala Plan" which laid the foundations for the practical achievement of Mexican independence.
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Pie de la Cuesta, Mexico
A strip of sand leading up the coast from Pie de la Cuesta to a little military base hosts a strip of guest houses on the beach. Across the road is the Laguna de Coyuca with a rich abundance of bird life. Pie de la Cuesta is about 30 to 45 minutes drive up the coast from Acapulco.
Regular tours are not available but it is quite simple to hire a local fisherman to take you birding in the early morning. A tour of the lagoon can last one to three hours as it circles several islands with nesting birds. In chartering a boat try to assess if the person taking you out has some understanding of the requirements of a bird watcher.
