Cuernavaca
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cuernavaca | |
 |
|
 |
|
| Mexican State | Morelos |
|---|---|
| Government | |
| - Mayor 2006-2009 | Jesús Giles Sánchez |
| Area | |
| - City | 151.2 km2 (58.38 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,548 m (4,856 ft) |
| Population (2005) | |
| - City | 332,197 city; 349,102 municipality |
| - Metro | 787,556 |
| Website | http://www.cuernavaca.gob.mx |
Cuernavaca (Classical Nahuatl: Cuauhnāhuac IPA: [kʷawˈnaːwak]) is the capital and largest city of the state of Morelos in Mexico. As of the 2005 census, the population of the city was 332,197; the municipality's entire population was 349,102 in an area of 151.2 km2 (58.4 sq mi) that includes numerous small localities outside the city, like Ocotepec, where interesting religious celebrations take place, like the Day of the Dead in the first days of November.
Cuernavaca is located about 85 km (53 mi) south of Mexico City on the D-95 freeway. It is known as "the city of eternal spring" because of its consistent 22°C (72°F) weather year round. Cuernavaca sits in the heart of central Mexico, and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful and culturally rich regions of the country.
The city's name comes from Nahuatl Cuauhnāhuac "place near trees" (pronounced [kʷawˈnaːwak]), the name of the pre-Columbian altepetl at the location. The name was altered to Cuernavaca by influence of the Spanish words cuerno "horn" and vaca "cow".
Contents |
[edit] Locale
Cuernavaca lies about 700 metres (2,300 ft) lower than Mexico City, and therefore serves as a popular refuge from the cold for inhabitants of Mexico City. It attracts visitors from around the world for its art, history, and Spanish language schools. Several interesting excursions to nearby attractions are easily managed within a two-hour drive: North America's oldest and most populous city Mexico City to hovering 6,000-metre (20,000 ft) volcanoes topped by pre-columbian archaeological sites like those at Tepoztlán or Xochicalco— are just a couple of the possibilities within a short distance from the heart of this old, charming city.
Cuernavaca is appreciated for its historical richness, striking scenery, vibrant life, and delightful climate. Surrounded by undulating hills and cut by narrow, cobbled streets, Cuernavaca is a quaint colonial remnant. A wide variety of activities are available with all of the normal services of a modern city. This balance of ancient and new has protected the historical value of the city while offering modern amenities.
[edit] Economy
While the chief economic activities in modern day Cuernavaca center around manufacturing and services, some agricultural activities of old continue. Cortés introduced sugar cane cultivation to the area, and African slaves were brought in to work in the cane fields, by way of Spain's Caribbean colonies. The sugar hacienda built by his son Martin still stands but has been converted to the impressive Hacienda de Cortés. Sugar is still a main agriculture product in the state of Morelos, along with corn (maize), beans, and tropical fruits. Floriculture and beekeeping are also important. Manufactures include processed foods, pharmaceuticals, clothing, textiles, and automobiles.
Tourism is also a driving force in Cuernavaca. This is mostly due to its warm weather and the many water parks that attract thousands of visitors coming from Mexico City. Additionally, Cuernavaca has a number of language schools that play host to about 6,000 students who come to the city every year to learn Spanish.
[edit] Architecture
The city has examples of ancient Aztec and Tlahuica cultures (such as at Teopanzolco) as well as colonial buildings. Emperor Charles V gave Cuernavaca to Hernán Cortés as a fief, and in 1532 the conquistador built the Palacio de Cortés, now the Museo Regional de Historia de Cuauhnahuac (Historical Museum of Cuauhnahuac). The museum features a mural by Diego Rivera depicting the conquest of Mexico, mammoth remains, a survey of the history of the state of Morelos, and items from contemporary Indigenous cultures.
Cuernavaca's downtown cathedral, a former Franciscan convent, dates from 1552. Murals depict the journey of Mexican Saint Felipe to Japan. At the 11:00 mass on Sundays, a mariachi band accompanies the proceedings.
Artist Robert Brady lived and died in a former 16th century meteorological observatory of the Franciscan seminary behind the Casa de la Torre, leaving a fascinating and rich collection of art he had collected over his lifetime.[1] Works by Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, Paul Klee and Francis Toledo are among the 1400 pieces in the collection. This museum was second choice as the location for Mexico's Guggenheim Museum, which is being constructed in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts world centre Our Cabaña opened in 1957.
[edit] Tourism
Cuernavaca has several museums:
- Cuauhuanauc Museum: (Cortes Palace) Regional Museum of History and Archaeology (downtown)
- Museum of the City of Cuernavaca: small city museum with changing exhibits; Morelos Avenue North
- El Castillo (the Little Castle): photography museum of the city; former watchtower during the construction of the Porfirio Diaz Bridge
- Juarez Museum (inside Borda Garden). Small museum devoted to President Benito Juarez.
- Museum of Herbal Medicine (inside Casa de Maximiliano; La Casa del Olvido in Acapantzingo)
- David Alfaro Siqueiros home and workshop. Former home and workshop of this Mexican muralist. Siqueiros Park, Colonia Jardines de Cuernavaca.
- Muros (Cuernavaca Children's Museum) Features murals painted by David Alfaro Siqueiros. Located near MegaComercial and Costco.
- Brady Museum: private art collection, downtown.
Notable churches
- Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary (downtown)
- San José (Colonia Tlatenango) Built in 1523, this is the oldest church on the continent.
- Prayer Hall, Campus Crusade for Christ (Hotel Chulavista, Colonia Chulavista). This is an exact replica of the Temple of Jerusalem.
[edit] Education and scientific research
The Universidad Autonóma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM) is the state university located north of Cuernavaca. It has several schools including Chemistry and Pharmaceutics, Mathematics, Biology, Physics, a Law School and a Medicine College.
The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has a satellite campus located in Cuernavaca, which is aimed at research and graduate studies. It also has an undergraduate program in genomics.[2]
Cuernavaca is the home of the following research centers: Center for Genomic Sciences (UNAM),[3] the Institute of Biotechnology (UNAM),[4] the Institute of Physical Sciences (UNAM),[5] the Center for research in Energy (UNAM), the Institute of Mathematics (UNAM), the Center for Research in Engineering and Applied Sciences (UAEM),[6] and the National Institute of Public Health. Cuernavaca has the highest concentration of scientists and researchers in Latin America.[citation needed]
[edit] Transportation
The city's bus system is economical and easy to use. Bus destinations from Cuernavaca include very regular services to Mexico City (every 15 minutes) as well as services to Puebla, Tepoztlan, Taxco, Zacatepec, Acapulco and other destinations throughout Morelos. There is a toll road. Cuernavaca is no longer served by rail services. Cuernavaca has developed air-transportation service throughout the last few years due to its proximity to Mexico City. The airport in Cuernavaca General Mariano Matamoros Airport is a national airport in the Southern-east area of the city and it is considered as alternate to Mexico City International Airport. Viva Aerobus has scheduled flights to Monterrey.
[edit] Famous residents
- Hernán Cortés (1485-1547)
- Don Manuel de la Borda (?-1778), a silver tycoon from Taxco, Guerrero, built a home in Cuernavaca. This home (Borda Garden) was later used by Maximilian, and is today a botanical garden, cultural center, and home of the Juarez Museum.
- Emperor Maximilian (1832-1867), Jardin Borda Cultural Center is located in his former residence in this city. He also built "La Casa de Olindo" in Acapantzingo for his mistress (La India Bonita). La Casa del Olindo houses a botanical garden and the Traditional Museum of Herbal Medicine.
- Dwight Morrow (1873-1931), American banker and U.S. ambassador to Mexico under FDR, lived in Cuernavaca. Father-in-law of Charles Lindberg. He commissioned the Diego Rivera paintings found in Cuauhnahuac Museum. His former home is now the India Bonita restaurant.
- Diego Rivera (1886-1957), Mexican muralist, lived in Acapantzingo, Cuernavaca.
- David Alfaro Siqueiros (1896-1974), Mexican muralist, lived in Jardines de Cuernavaca, Cuernavaca. His home and workshop are now a museum. Another of his murals is found in the Cuernavaca Children's Museum.
- Rufino Tamayo (1899-1991), Mexican painter, lived in Acapantzingo, Cuernavaca.
- Barbara Hutton (1912-1979), Granddaughter of Frank Woolworth built a luxurious Japanese-style palace on a 30 acre (120,000 m²) estate in Jiutepec, in the outskirts of Cuernavaca in 1959.
- Robert Brady (1928-1986) Iowa native who founded museum that bears his name in downtown Cuernavaca.[1]
- Maurice Ascalon (1913-2003), the Israeli sculptor and industrial designer, spent the last years of his life in Cuernavaca, where he resided with his son, the artist Adir Ascalon.
- Erich Fromm lived in Cuernavaca around 1950.
- Chicago mobster Sam Giancana spent seven years (1967-74) in exile on a lavish estate until the Mexican government (under pressure from the US Justice Department) had him deported to the United States.
- Helen Hayes, noted American actress of stage and film, owned a home in Cuernavaca for many years.
- Ivan Illich founded the Centro Intercultural de Documentación (CIDOC) in Cuernavaca in the early 1960s. This institution served as his base for many years.
- Tamara de Lempicka (May 16, 1898 – March 18, 1980), noted Art Deco painter, spent the last two years of her life in Cuernavaca.
- Jazz figures Charles Mingus (1922-1979) and Gil Evans (1912-1988) both died in Cuernavaca after suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease and peritonitis, respectively.
- Raymond W. Downs American Novelist made Cuernavaca his home for many years until his departure to the jungles of Equador in 1992 to write the novel, "WIND ACROSS THE AMAZON".
- Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the exiled Shah of Iran, 1979.
- Manuel Puig, an Argentine writer, moved to Cuernavaca in 1989, and died there a year later.
- Charles Samuels, an American writer, moved to Cuernavaca in 1974, and died there in 1982.
- Natasha Gelman, wife of Jacques Gelman, spent her last years in Cuernavaca, thus making her final wish to create a museum with part of her art collection in Cuernavaca.
- Gloria Lasso, Spanish-born french singer.
- Malcolm Lowry, English writer, moved to Cuernevaca in 1936 and made Quauhnahuac the fictional locale of his novel, Under the Volcano.
- Sergio Méndez Arceo, Mexican bishop, activist and human rights supporter.
- Enrique Semo, Mexican historian.
- Rosa Eleanor King (1867-1955), an English woman who moved to Mexico, was the owner of the Hotel Bella Vista during the Mexican Revolution of 1910-17. She wrote of her experiences in her best-selling book, "Tempest Over Mexico" (1935).
- Katy Jurado: Actress of stage and screen.She died Jul. 05,2002.
- Elizabeth Borton de Treviño: Author of many award winning novels such as, "The Music Within" Elizabeth Borton de Trevino died Dec. 02, 2001.
[edit] Pop Culture References
- RBD: La Familia, a sitcom starring RBD. It was referenced in Episode 12
- Vantage Point (film), Columbia Pictures 2008
- In the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, episode 12 of Season 3, Helpless, Buffy experiences an unexpected loss of her powers. She describes herself as being off her game: "My game's left the country. It's in Cuernavaca".
- In the movie Men in Black, the smuggler in the opening of the film tells a border patrol official that he is returning from "fishing in Cuernavaca."
- Mentioned in the Ross Thomas novel "The Singapore Wink" (Avon Press, 1969).
- Mentioned in Warren Zevon's song "Veracruz" from his "Excitable Boy" album, in reference to the United States Occupation of Veracruz in 1914.
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b "FUNDACION ROBERT BRADY Casa Museo, Centro Cultural". http://www.geocities.com/bradymuseum/bradyspanish.html. Retrieved on 2007-12-06.
- ^ "Licenciatura en Ciencias Genómicas". http://www.lcg.unam.mx/. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ "Center for Genomic Sciences". http://www.ccg.unam.mx/. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ "Instituto de Biotecnología". http://www.ibt.unam.mx/. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ "Instituto de Ciencias Físicas". http://www.fis.unam.mx/. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ "Centro de Investigación en Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas". http://www2.ciicap.uaem.mx:8080/. Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
Adalberto Rios Szalay. Cuernavaca-Mexico (1943) Born. International Photographer and writer. Photographer of the Book: Mexico Visto y Andado: http://www.amazon.com/Mexico-Andado-Jorge-Alberto-Lozoya/dp/8497851234
[edit] References
- Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005 INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática
- Morelos Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México
- Some Tax records between 1686-1689 from El Marquesado del Valle de Cuernavaca in the Virreinato de la Nueva España
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Cuernavaca |
|
|||||
Coordinates: 18°55′04″N 99°13′36″W / 18.91778°N 99.22667°W
|
