Discovering the Treasures of Oaxaca

The most diverse state in Mexico is Oaxaca, named after its largest city. It is rich in history and culture. Located in the south, Oaxaca borders the states of Guerrero to the west, Puebla to the northwest, Veracruz to the north, and Chiapas to the east and the Pacific Ocean in the south.

The historic home of the Zapotec and Mixtec peoples is distinct from all other Mexican states in that it contains more speakers of indigenous languages than any other state. Oaxaca is located where the Eastern Sierra Madre and the Southern Sierra Madre mountain ranges converge, resulting in a rugged mountainous terrain with a large temperate central valley, which is responsible for the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region. Oaxaca's principal industry is tourism, with over 150 miles of beaches, colonial architecture, archaeological treasures, crafts and folk art.

There are over 4,000 different archaeological sites identified in the state of Oaxaca according to Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History. Archaeologists have uncovered priceless relics from these sites, many of which are on display in the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures. The Museum is located about 270 miles southeast of Mexico City, in the former convent of Santo Domingo de Guzmán.

In one of the exhibition halls, tagged as "the first major city in the Americas", Monte Albán is featured. It apparently was a flourishing city between 300 to 900 C.E, though its construction may date back to the eighth century B.C.E. The ruins have revealed an extensive knowledge of astronomy, goldsmithing and hieroglyphic writing.

A number of pyramids stand out from the surrounding valley, along with great plazas, underground passageways, a court for playing a ritual ball game and about 170 underground tombs. All the great Mesoamerican cities, including Monte Albán, were abandoned by 900 C.E.

Oaxaca has a number of native crafts, black clay pottery and unique carved wood figures. It's also known for Oaxaca cheese which is now exported around the world and even made in many locations in the United States. Oaxaca is also known for producing mezcal, a spirit similar to tequila and also for its chocolate, which is made from ground cacao beans, and frequently includes almonds, cinnamon and many other ingredients.

Here you will find breathtaking natural areas and archeological sites that provide a glimpse of Oaxaca's past civilizations. So if a trip to Mexico is in your future, consider spending some of it in Oaxaca.