|  Initially
Guadalajara was just considered a kind of thoroughfare in the
Mexican west. It later became a very touristy city and an obliged
visit in West of the country. Guadalajara is the capital of the
state of Jalisco and has a history of about 450 years.
Various indigenous groups
including the Aztecs initially inhabited the area of Jalisco.
When the Spaniards began their conquest and colonization of Mexico,
they tried to establish Guadalajara to have representation in
the eastern part of the country. There were a total of four attempts
to found the city but were warded off by the indigenous people
fought hard to avoid the colonization of their land.
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that additional info (prices, activities, etc) are found to the
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On February 14th , 1542, Antonio de Mendoza y Cristóbal
de Oñate found a place to shield themselves from the Indians
in the Valley of Atemajac, and decided to found the city of Guadalajara
there. King Carlos I of Spain granted the Coat of Arms establishing
the title of city and naming this valley haven, capital of Nueva
Galicia in 1560. Initially the main sources revenue for Guadalajara
was mining and agriculture. In a short space of time, large haciendas
started to appear, which helped the growing city become a large
commercial centre in Eastern Mexico. It was not long before Fray
Pedro de Ayala placed the cornerstone for the Cathedral Metropolitana.
In 1742 wheels were put in motion for the creation
of the Universidad de Guadalajara and the first printing press
was established in 1792 enabling El Despertador Americano (The
American Awakener), the first independent newspaper, to be published
in 1810. Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla or the Father of Independence
was instrumental in abolishing slavery. This set the stage for
a war of Reform in Jalisco. The city suffered two hard fought
wars with the French in 1864. After World War II the city’s
economy grew with the shoe and clothing industry. In 1965 the
October Fest was announced to the city's official celebrations
to attract tourism and promote commerce, culture and entertainment.
Gradually the city has become a tourist destination recognized
globally for it rich cultural heritage, traditions, exhibits as
well as its congresses and conventions.
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