Revision 8491293 of "Aguascalientes Municipality" on simplewiki

{{Infobox settlement
|name =Aguascalientes
|official_name = ''Ciudad de Aguascalientes''<br />City of Aguascalientes
|settlement_type =[[City]]
|native_name =
|nickname = {{Lang-es|Ciudad de la gente buena}}<br/><small>({{Lang-en|City of the good people}})</small>
|motto = {{lang-la|Virtus in Aquis, Fidelitas in Pectoribus}}<br/><small>({{Lang-en|Virtue in the Water, Fidelity in the Heart}})</small>
|image_skyline = AGUASCALIENTES CITY.jpg
|imagesize =
|image_caption =Clockwise from top: San Antonio de Padua Church, La Exedra, Aguascalientes Theatre, Cerro del Muerto, Plaza Bosques Tower, and the San Marcos Park.
|image_flag =Flag of Aguascalientes.svg
|image_seal =
|image_shield = Escudo aguascalientes.PNG
|image_map = Aguascalientes, AG.svg
|mapsize = 220px
|map_caption = Location of Aguascalientes within the state
|image_map1 = Mexico map, MX-AGU.svg
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 = Location of the state of [[Aguascalientes]]
|subdivision_type = [[Countries of the world|Country]]
|subdivision_name = {{flagicon|Mexico}} [[Mexico]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[States of Mexico|State]]
|subdivision_name1 = {{flagicon|Aguascalientes}} [[Aguascalientes]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[Municipalities of Mexico|Municipality]]
|subdivision_name2 = Aguascalientes
|government_type =
|leader_title = [[Municipal president|Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel]]
|leader_title1 = <!-- Presidente Municipal -->
|leader_name1 =
|leader_title2 =
|leader_name2 =
|leader_title3 =
|leader_name3 =
|established_title = Founded
|established_date = October 22, 1575
|established_title2 = Founded as
|established_date2 = ''Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de las Aguas Calientes''
|established_title3 =
|established_date3 =
|founder = Juan de Montoro Rodríguez<br/>Jerónimo de Orozco
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_km2 = 385
|area_total_sq_mi =
|area_land_km2 =
|area_land_sq_mi =
|area_water_km2 =
|area_water_sq_mi =
|area_water_percent =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|area_metro_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|population_as_of = 2012
|population_note =
|population_total = 934424
|population_density_km2 = auto
|population_density_sq_mi =
|population_metro = 1225432
|population_density_metro_km2 = auto
|population_density_metro_sq_mi =
|population_urban =
|population_demonyms = hidrocálido, aguascalentense
|timezone = [[Central Standard Time|CST]]
|utc_offset = −6
|timezone_DST = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = −5
|coordinates = {{coord|21|52|33.6|N|102|17|45.6|W|display=inline,title}}
|elevation_m = 1888
|elevation_ft =
|postal_code_type = Postal code
|postal_code = 20000-20999
|area_code = 449
|blank_name = [[Mexican Federal Highway|Federal Routes]]
|blank_info = [[File:Carretera federal 45.svg|20px|link=Mexican Federal Highway 45]] [[File:Carretera federal 70.svg|20px|link=Mexican Federal Highway 70]]
|website = http://www.ags.gob.mx
|footnotes =
}}

'''Aguascalientes''' ({{IPA-es|ˌaɣwaskaˈljentes|-|Aguascalientes.ogg}}) is the capital of the state of [[Aguascalientes]] and is its most populous city, with a [[Metropolitan area|metropolitan]] population of 1,000,000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lja.mx/2012/08/en-estos-dias-aguascalientes-llegara-al-millon-de-habitantes/|title=En estos días Aguascalientes llegará al millón de habitantes - La Jornada Aguascalientes (LJA.mx)|author=Javier Rodríguez Lozano|work=La Jornada Aguascalientes (LJA.mx)|access-date=7 September 2014|archive-date=20 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190820164328/https://www.lja.mx/2012/08/en-estos-dias-aguascalientes-llegara-al-millon-de-habitantes/|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is located in North-Central Mexico. It is part of the [[macroregion]] of [[Bajío]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://t21.com.mx/opinion/bitacora/2013/08/16/bajio-nuevo-milagro-mexicano|title=Bajío, el nuevo milagro mexicano - T21|work=T21|access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> which is among the safest and most prosperous regions in Mexico. It was part of the kingdom of [[Nueva Galicia]]. In 1835 Aguascalientes became the capital of the Free and Sovereign State of Aguascalientes.<ref name="ags.itesm.mx">{{cite web|url=http://www.ags.itesm.mx/campus/historia_ciudad.htm |title=Historia de la Ciudad de Aguascalientes |publisher=Ags.itesm.mx |access-date=7 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021042029/http://www.ags.itesm.mx/campus/historia_ciudad.htm |archive-date=October 21, 2013 }}</ref> Aguascalientes has been called the cleanest city in [[Latin America]].<ref name="informador.com.mx">{{cite web|url=http://www.informador.com.mx/mexico/2012/383669/6/aguascalientes-la-ciudad-mas-limpia-de-latinoamerica.htm|title=Aguascalientes, la ciudad más limpia de Latinoamérica |work=El Informador|access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> Aguascalientes is experiencing an ongoing social, economic, and aesthetic revitalization process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lja.mx/2012/08/linea-verde-contara-con-servicios-digitales/|title=Línea Verde contará con servicios digitales |work=La Jornada Aguascalientes |access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> Aguascalientes has a population which includes [[Japanese people|Japanese]], [[Koreans]], and [[Germans]].

It stands on the banks of the Aguascalientes river, 1880&nbsp;meters above sea level, at {{coord|21|51|N|102|18|W|}}. It is the municipal seat for the '''Aguascalientes Municipality'''. The Aguascalientes metropolitan area includes the municipality of [[Jesús María, Aguascalientes|Jesús María]] and [[San Francisco de los Romo]]. It was a [[Chichimeca]] Indian territory. It later blossomed as a strategic link between Mexico City and the mines of [[Zacatecas]], while prosperous agriculture and ranching helped feed Spain's emerging New World cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visitmexico.com/en-us/aguascalientes|title=Aguascalientes, traditional city in Mexico|publisher=Visitmexico.com|access-date=7 September 2014|archive-date=13 May 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513055715/http://visitmexico.com/en-us/aguascalientes|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[OECD]] has recognized Aguascalientes as having a good business climate.<ref name="aguascalientes.gob.mx">{{cite web |url=http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/temas/inversiones/ventajas/Presentacion_ing.pdf |access-date=2020-02-26 }}</ref> It is a strong business and economic center in the [[Bajío]] region.<ref name="desdelared.com.mx">{{cite web|url=http://www.desdelared.com.mx/noticias/2012/2-gobierno/0813-oferta-feriaempleo-0351109874.html|title=Se ofertan mil empleos a jóvenes en Aguascalientes|date=13 August 2012 |publisher=Desdelared.com.mx|access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref> Its strategic location and infrastructure have made it a regional hub and a location for international headquarters.<ref name="desdelared.com.mx"/> Also home to two of [[Nissan|Nissan's]] largest and most important manufacturing plants in Latin America. Other important companies located in Aguascalientes include [[Jatco]], [[Coca-Cola]], [[Flex (company)|Flextronics]], [[Texas Instruments]], [[Donaldson Company|Donaldson]], and [[Calsonic Kansei]].

Because of its services and hotel industry, Aguascalientes is one of the most important centers in Mexico for [[entertainment]], [[gastronomy]], leisure activities, [[arts]] and recreation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desdelared.com.mx/noticias/2012/2-gobierno/0827-turismo-0352062125.html|title=Aguascalientes recibió a 187 mil turistas este verano|date=27 August 2012 |publisher=Desdelared.com.mx|access-date=7 September 2014}}</ref>

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Aguascalientes City}}
[[File:Nebel Voyage 22 Aguas Calientes.jpg|thumb|Aguascalientes ca. 1836, by [[Carl Nebel]]]]
The city of Aguascalientes was founded on October 22, 1575, by Juan de Montoro as a postal service rest stop between the cities of [[Zacatecas, Zacatecas|Zacatecas]] and [[Mexico City]], though it is known that the site already featured a small population by the time it was granted an official status.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/estado/fundacion.aspx |title=Fundación de Aguascalientes |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=Gobierno del Estado de Aguascalientes |last=Díaz Márquez |first=Ilse |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311225938/http://aguascalientes.gob.mx/estado/fundacion.aspx |archive-date=March 11, 2016 }}</ref> Although its founders did not envision it becoming a major city, it became the capital of the newly formed state of the same name when its territory separated from the adjacent state of Zacatecas in 1835. When the state separated from Zacatecas, Aguascalientes raced ahead in its development, while the state of Zacatecas remained behind in comparison.

The historical center of Aguascalientes was born out of four distinct neighborhoods. The oldest of these is the ''Barrio del Encino'', which is technically older than Aguascalientes proper. Founded in 1565 by the Andalusian Hernán González Berrocal, the neighborhood was originally named ''Triana'' after the [[Triana, Seville|neighborhood]] in Seville, Spain. The ''Barrio del Encino'' is home to the baroque-style ''Templo del Señor del Encino'', a Catholic temple built between 1773 and 1796.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ags.gob.mx/cont.aspx?p=162|title = Barrio del Encino (Barrio de Triana)|access-date = 23 February 2016|publisher = Gobierno del Estado de Aguascalientes}}</ref> The ''Cristo Negro del Encino'' ("Black Christ of the live oak"), is a widely venerated religious icon symbolic of this neighborhood. The colonial square and the [[José Guadalupe Posada Museum]], adjacent to the temple, are one of the main attractions in the city.

The second neighborhood is the ''Barrio de San Marcos'', which has its roots in the early 17th century as an indigenous settlement on the outskirts of the then-village of Aguascalientes. Between 1628 and 1688, some communal land was allocated to the community, but the indigenous people still worked on Spanish-owned farms and produced goods to sell in Aguascalientes. Meanwhile, they organized the construction of a simple hospital and a chapel. This original chapel was replaced by the current ''Templo de San Marcos'' completed on December 15, 1763; this church is the spiritual headquarters of the ''[[Feria Nacional de San Marcos]]''.

The third neighborhood is the ''Barrio de Guadalupe'', which began its development as a string of shops and trading posts alongside the road leading from Aguascalientes to [[Jalpa, Zacatecas|Jalpa]] and Zacatecas during the latter half of the 18th century. The neighborhood's iconic ''Templo de Guadalupe'' was built between 1767 and 1789; it's recognized for its [[Spanish Baroque architecture|Spanish Baroque]] façade and its dome lined with [[Talavera pottery|Talavera]] tiles. Especially after the founding of the ''Fundición Central Mexicana'' ("Mexican Central Foundry"), the neighborhood developed quickly; by the early 20th century its roadside inns had mostly been converted into homes and its boundaries had blurred with those of the ''Barrio de San Marcos''.

The final neighborhood is the ''Barrio de la Salud'', which has its roots in a small chapel and a cemetery developed towards the end of the 18th century to deal with a number of disease epidemics that had struck the area. Gravediggers established homes near the cemetery, and others took advantage of the open land to establish orchards. Though the orchards began to disappear during the early 20th century, clues as to the neighborhood's roots still remain. First of all, the fact that property lines generally followed irrigation ditches can still be seen in the neighborhood's haphazard street grids today. Second, the neighborhood's working-class character is visible in its primarily single-story homes featuring simple façades.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spanishlearnercentral.com/historical-neighborhoods-aguascalientes-mexico/|title=The Four Historical Neighborhoods of Aguascalientes|last=Dobrowolski|first=Jim|date=February 2, 2017|website=Spanish Learner Central|access-date=23 February 2016|archive-date=26 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200226032936/http://www.spanishlearnercentral.com/historical-neighborhoods-aguascalientes-mexico/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

A fifth neighborhood, the ''Barrio de la Estación'', is often grouped in with the city's original neighborhoods.<ref>{{cite web|title = Barrios de Aguascalientes, México {{!}} VisitMexico|url = http://www.visitmexico.com/es/barrios-de-aguascalientes|website = www.visitmexico.com|access-date = 2016-02-24|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304021822/http://www.visitmexico.com/es/barrios-de-aguascalientes|archive-date = 2016-03-04}}</ref> However, this neighborhood is considerably more modern, with much of its development dating from the final decades of the 19th century or later.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ags.gob.mx/cont.aspx?p=164|title = Barrio de la Estación|access-date = 24 February 2016|publisher = Gobierno del Estado de Aguascalientes}}</ref> Therefore, despite its important role in the history of Aguascalientes, it's not strictly accurate to consider the ''Barrio de la Estación'' one of the city's original historical neighborhoods.

==Climate==
Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Aguascalientes has a [[semi-arid climate]] (Köppen BSh). Most of the precipitation is concentrated from June to September.
{{Weather box
|location = Aguascalientes (1951–2010)
|single line = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|temperature colour=
|Jan record high C = 29.5
|Feb record high C = 32.0
|Mar record high C = 34.0
|Apr record high C = 36.5
|May record high C = 39.5
|Jun record high C = 40.0
|Jul record high C = 36.0
|Aug record high C = 34.0
|Sep record high C = 36.0
|Oct record high C = 32.0
|Nov record high C = 31.0
|Dec record high C = 29.5
|Jan high C = 22.3
|Feb high C = 24.0
|Mar high C = 26.5
|Apr high C = 29.0
|May high C = 30.7
|Jun high C = 29.5
|Jul high C = 27.3
|Aug high C = 27.2
|Sep high C = 26.3
|Oct high C = 25.7
|Nov high C = 24.6
|Dec high C = 22.5
|year high C = 26.3
|Jan mean C = 13.4
|Feb mean C = 15.0
|Mar mean C = 17.5
|Apr mean C = 20.3
|May mean C = 22.4
|Jun mean C = 22.5
|Jul mean C = 20.9
|Aug mean C = 20.8
|Sep mean C = 20.1
|Oct mean C = 18.5
|Nov mean C = 16.0
|Dec mean C = 14.0
|year mean C = 18.5
|Jan low C = 4.5
|Feb low C = 5.9
|Mar low C = 8.5
|Apr low C = 11.5
|May low C = 14.1
|Jun low C = 15.4
|Jul low C = 14.6
|Aug low C = 14.5
|Sep low C = 13.9
|Oct low C = 11.2
|Nov low C = 7.4
|Dec low C = 5.4
|year low C = 10.6
|Jan record low C = -6.0
|Feb record low C = -7.0
|Mar record low C = -1.0
|Apr record low C = 1.0
|May record low C = 4.5
|Jun record low C = 6.0
|Jul record low C = 6.5
|Aug record low C = 9.0
|Sep record low C = 5.0
|Oct record low C = 0.0
|Nov record low C = -5.5
|Dec record low C = -5.0
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 14.1
|Feb rain mm = 9.5
|Mar rain mm = 4.3
|Apr rain mm = 8.8
|May rain mm = 17.9
|Jun rain mm = 88.1
|Jul rain mm = 119.9
|Aug rain mm = 120.4
|Sep rain mm = 90.1
|Oct rain mm = 35.4
|Nov rain mm = 10.3
|Dec rain mm = 11.9
|Jan humidity = 58
|Feb humidity = 52
|Mar humidity = 47
|Apr humidity = 45
|May humidity = 46
|Jun humidity = 59
|Jul humidity = 66
|Aug humidity = 68
|Sep humidity = 68
|Oct humidity = 65
|Nov humidity = 60
|Dec humidity = 62
|year humidity = 58
|unit rain days= 0.1&nbsp;mm
|Jan rain days = 2.4
|Feb rain days = 1.5
|Mar rain days = 1.0
|Apr rain days = 1.6
|May rain days = 3.6
|Jun rain days = 9.7
|Jul rain days = 13.5
|Aug rain days = 13.2
|Sep rain days = 9.5
|Oct rain days = 4.9
|Nov rain days = 1.6
|Dec rain days = 2.2
|Jan sun = 237.6
|Feb sun = 238.1
|Mar sun = 257.9
|Apr sun = 249.6
|May sun = 270.4
|Jun sun = 227.0
|Jul sun = 223.6
|Aug sun = 231.8
|Sep sun = 198.9
|Oct sun = 231.2
|Nov sun = 245.6
|Dec sun = 213.2
|year sun =
|source 1= Servicio Meteorologico Nacional<ref name="SMN">[http://smn.cna.gob.mx/climatologia/Normales5110/NORMAL01030.TXT NORMALES CLIMATOLÓGICAS 1951-2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105314/http://smn.cna.gob.mx/climatologia/Normales5110/NORMAL01030.TXT |date=2013-12-24 }} (in Spanish). National Meteorological Service of Mexico. Retrieved August 30, 2012.</ref>
|source 2 = Colegio de Postgraduados (sun and humidity)<ref name="clima">{{cite web
|url=http://www.cm.colpos.mx/meteoro/progde/norm/norm24/33003.htm
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219030916/http://www.cm.colpos.mx/meteoro/progde/norm/norm24/33003.htm
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=February 19, 2013
|title=Normales climatológicas para Aguascalientes, AGS
|publisher=Colegio de Postgraduados
|language=es
|access-date=January 5, 2013
}}</ref>
|date=November 2011
}}

==Etymology==
[[File:Aguascalientes City seen from a flight at night.jpg|left|thumb|245x245px|Aguascalientes City seen from a flight at night]]
The name originates from the Spanish words ''aguas calientes'', meaning "hot waters" although a more accurate translation is "hot springs", part of the original name of ''Villa de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de las Aguas Calientes'' (Village of our Lady of Assumption of the Hot Springs). When the city was first settled by Juan de Montoro and twelve families, it was given this name for its abundance of [[hot springs]]. These thermal features are still in demand in the city's numerous spas and even exploited for domestic use. People from Aguascalientes (both the city and the state) are known by the whimsical [[Spanish (language)|Spanish]] [[demonym]] ''hidrocálidos'' or "hydrothermal" people.

==Modern day==

Aguascalientes today identifies itself as at the confluence of tradition and industry. Its preserved colonial downtown testifies to its rich architectural heritage and cultural vision. On the other hand, the precisely planned peripheral expressways, as well as its first class avenues and lanes, are surrounded with industrial parks that employ thousands of people. The state reports a high index of migrants, especially from other states, seeking to acquire a better quality of life.
[[File:Bajío Norponiente mapa.png|thumb|480px|[[Bajío Occidental]] (West Bajio).]]

==Demographics==
As of 2010, the city of Aguascalientes proper had a population of 797,010. The two other municipalities considered parts of the Aguascalientes metropolitan area are Jesús María and San Francisco de los Romo; they had populations of 99,590 and 35,769, respectively. As such, the Aguascalientes metropolitan area had a total population of 932,369.<ref>{{cite web|title = Número de habitantes. Aguascalientes|url = http://cuentame.inegi.org.mx/monografias/informacion/ags/poblacion/default.aspx?tema=me&e=01|website = cuentame.inegi.org.mx|access-date = 2016-02-23}}</ref>

According to the latest census by the [[National Institute of Statistics, Geography, and Data Processing]] (INEGI), Aguascalientes City was the 13th largest metropolitan area by population in the country. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Mexico.

==Quality of life==
[[File:Parque Línea Verde (a la altura de Rodolfo Landeros), Aguascalientes, Ags. 16.JPG|thumb|left|Section of the 15-kilometer ''Parque Línea Verde'' which was created to serve as a [[Greenway (landscape)|greenway]] for the most marginalized section of the city]]
The city had a [[Human Development Index]] of 0.82 in 2000,<ref>INEGI, CONAPO, SEDESOL (2000). Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (ed.): «Ciudades de México por IDH» (PDF).</ref> placing it in the [[List of countries by Human Development Index#Very high human development|very high development]] category. Open heart surgeries and heart and kidney transplants have been performed in Aguascalientes for the past 20 years; by comparison, these same surgeries were first performed in the United States 28 years ago. The life expectancy of 76 years is similar to that which can be found in Denmark, Ireland or Portugal.

100% of the population has Medical Service Coverage. In addition, two more government-controlled Medical Services exist for those who work in a job affiliated with them. There are also plenty of options in the form of private medical centers.

==Economy==
[[File:HOTEL MARRIOT AGUASCALIENTES.jpg|thumb|257x257px|The Aguascalientes Marriott Hotel is located in the most important zone of the city.]]
According to the [[World Bank]], Aguascalientes has the most business friendly environment in Mexico and is one of the best places in the world to invest.<ref name="aguascalientes.gob.mx"/> 240 multinationals were installed during the last 30 years, representing the United States, Japan, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, and Brazil among others. 70% of Japan's investment in Mexico is in Aguascalientes.

25 companies from the industry of [[Information technology|IT]] & Software cluster.<ref name="aguascalientes.gob.mx"/> [[Softtek]], the largest software development company in Mexico, has large operations in Aguascalientes.

Aguascalientes is home to two large [[Nissan]] manufacturing plants, including the most important outside of Japan. Among other models of cars, they manufacture the [[Nissan Sentra|Sentra]] and the [[Nissan Versa|Versa]]. The Aguascalientes plants are responsible for the majority of Mexico's overall annual production of 850,000 Nissan automobiles.<ref>{{cite web|title = NISSAN {{!}} NISSAN INAUGURATES ALL-NEW AGUASCALIENTES, MEXICO PLANT, BUILDING ON A REPUTATION FOR QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY|url = http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2013/_STORY/131113-01-e.html|website = www.nissan-global.com|access-date = 2016-02-23|first = NISSAN MOTOR Co.|last = Ltd.|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151026074222/http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/NEWS/2013/_STORY/131113-01-e.html|archive-date = 2015-10-26|url-status = dead}}</ref> Due to their presence, the city has a significant [[Japanese people|Japanese]] population.

[[Texas Instruments]] has one plant in Aguascalientes, it is dedicated to integrated circuitry (IC) manufacturing. [[Sensata Technologies]], has one plant in the city, making sensors and controls for automotive, HVAC and industrial use. [[Flextronics]] is another electronics manufacturer that has a plant located in Aguascalientes City. There are also several companies that work in the robotics industry, the most notable being [[FANUC Robotics]].

==Education==
{{expand section|date=May 2014}}
Eight out of the 100 best colleges in Mexico are in Aguascalientes. There are 25 universities and colleges for only 1 million inhabitants. This ranks as first place per capita in Mexico.<ref name="aguascalientes.gob.mx"/>

The ''Escuela Japonesa de Aguascalientes'' (アグアスカリエンテス日本人学校 ''Aguasukarientesu Nihonjin Gakkō''), an [[nihonjin gakko|overseas Japanese school]], is in Aguascalientes.<ref>"[http://escuelajaponesa.net/ Home] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161003145937/http://escuelajaponesa.net/ |date=October 3, 2016 }}." ''Escuela Japonesa de Aguascalientes''. Retrieved on May 10, 2014. "Avenida del Lago 161, Jardines del Parque, Aguascalientes, AGS, C.P.20276, Mexico"</ref>

As of 2013, the city contains 59 primary schools and 13 junior high schools.<ref>"[http://www.lja.mx/2013/10/visita-a-la-escuela-japonesa-de-aguascalientes/ Visita a la Escuela Japonesa de Aguascalientes]" ({{cite web| url = http://www.lja.mx/2013/10/visita-a-la-escuela-japonesa-de-aguascalientes/ | title = Archive |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231231/http://www.lja.mx/2013/10/visita-a-la-escuela-japonesa-de-aguascalientes/ |archivedate = 2014-05-12 }}). ''[[La Jornada Aguascalientes]]''. Retrieved on October 1, 2013.</ref>

==Transport==
===Cycling===
Aguascalientes is known as one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Mexico. The municipality is also developing a system of interconnected green bicycle routes, greenways, the aim being to facilitate fast, safe, and pleasant bicycle transport from one end of the city to the other.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lja.mx/2012/08/se-implementara-en-aguascalientes-el-proyecto-de-movilidad-en-bicicleta-del-df/|title=Se implementará en Aguascalientes el proyecto de Movilidad en Bicicleta del DF - La Jornada Aguascalientes (LJA.mx)|work=La Jornada Aguascalientes (LJA.mx)|access-date=7 September 2014|archive-date=29 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129043210/http://www.lja.mx/2012/08/se-implementara-en-aguascalientes-el-proyecto-de-movilidad-en-bicicleta-del-df/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Roads===
Aguascalientes has a large network of roads connecting different municipalities of the city together and to other cities.

===Airport===
[[Lic. Jesús Terán Peredo International Airport]] serves the city, with four daily non-stop international flights from Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston.

==Urban development==
[[File:Las Americas Skyline.jpg|thumb|Skyline of Las Américas Avenue in the southwest part of the city|260x260px]]
Aguascalientes is a strategically planned city, having been pioneers in urban development regulation since 1936. The city is planned around three beltway loops, which is unique in Mexico. The third beltway loop will be fully operational in 2022.<ref name="aguascalientes.gob.mx"/>

===Fiber optic infrastructure===
Aguascalientes has the same fiber-optic and voice/data communication infrastructure as
[[Mexico City]], [[Guadalajara]], and [[Monterrey]].<ref name="aguascalientes.gob.mx"/>

==Culture and recreation==
Aguascalientes houses the largest festival held in Mexico, the [[San Marcos Fair]], which takes place from the middle of April to the beginning of May. The celebration was held originally in the San Marcos church, neighborhood, and its magnificent neoclassical garden; since then, it has greatly expanded to cover a huge area of exposition spaces, bullrings, nightclubs, theaters, performance stages, theme parks, hotels, convention centers, and other attractions. It attracts almost 7 million visitors to Aguascalientes every year.

The old part of the city revolves around downtown and the four original neighborhoods from which the city expanded. The most notable building here is the Baroque Government Palace, dating from 1664 and constructed out of red volcanic stone; it is known for its one hundred arches. The prominent Baroque Cathedral, begun in 1575, is the oldest building in the city. The tall column in the center of the main square dates from colonial times; it held a statue of a Spain's viceroy, which was toppled when the country gained independence; the current sculpture on its summit commemorates Mexican independence.
[[File:Guadalupe Ags Wikipedia.jpg|thumb|left|Baroque façade of Guadalupe Church]]

===Neighborhoods and tradition===
The city of Aguascalientes is made up of four traditional neighborhoods, all of which grew up around the central Plaza de la Patria: Guadalupe, San Marcos, El Encino and La Estación.

The neighborhood of Guadalupe, a traditional producer of pottery, centers around its local temple. Located in the heart of Guadalupe, this religious sanctuary, the second most important in the city and dating back to the late 18th century, has a baroque façade and a large dome covered in traditional ''talavera'' tiles. Inside it has many flower and angel motifs.

The next is San Marcos, founded in 1604 and once home to natives of Tlaxcala state who fled persecution. Today, the area hosts the traditional San Marcos Fair in springtime. There is San Marcos Gardens, a charming green spot where paths and trees are abundant. The gardens are traditionally frequented by poets, artists and lovers on lazy afternoons. Directly in front of the gardens, you'll see the baroque San Marcos Temple, its tiled dome glinting in the sun.

In El Encino or La Triana, head for the Encino gardens with their tile-decorated central fountain is full of tranquility. While in the area, the José Guadalupe Posada Museum – showcasing the work of an extraordinary cartoonist and engraver born in Aguascalientes – is well worth a visit. The museum houses two permanent exhibition rooms and another for temporary exhibitions.

Last but not least, the neighborhood of La Estación takes its name from the old railway station, inaugurated in 1911 and one of Aguascalientes' architectural and historical treasures.

Aguascalientes historic downtown is home to several outstanding museums including the [[Aguascalientes Museum]] ''(Museo de Aguascalientes)'', the city's art museum, housed in a Classical-style building designed by the beloved self-trained architect Refugio Reyes; the [[Guadalupe Posada Museum]] ''(Museo Guadalupe Posada)'', located in the historic nationhood of Triana, exhibits the life and work of [[José Guadalupe Posada]]; and the State History Museum, which is housed in an elegant [[Art Nouveau]] mansion typical of the Porfirian period with and ornate patio and dining room with vegetable motifs in a Mediterranean style, with a French Academism façade, and interior columns and an arcade of pink stone characteristic of Porfirian Eclecticism.
Other designs by Refugio Reyes include the Paris Hotel, the Francia Hotel, and his masterpiece, the Church of San Antonio. The Church of our Lady of Guadalupe possesses an extraordinarily exuberant Baroque facade designed by [[José de Alcibar|José de Alcíbar]], a renowned architect of the period considered to be one of the most famous artists in Mexico in the 1770s.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}} The Camarin of the Immaculate in the church of San Diego is considered by historians to be the last Baroque building in the world; it links the Baroque and Neoclassical styles; it is the largest of the fewer than ten of these type of structures built in the whole continent.

Aguascalientes is also home to some of the country's leading provincial theaters. Outstanding examples are the Morelos Theater, historically important for its role during the [[Mexican Revolution]] as a convention site; architecturally, the building is notable for its facade and interior, which houses a small museum. The [[Teatro Aguascalientes]] is the city's premier theatre and opera house and is equipped with the latest technology.
[[File:Aguascalientes - Teatro Morelos.JPG|thumb|right|Morelos Theater]]In addition, in the modern section of the city, the [[Museo Descubre]] astonishes as an interactive museum of science and technology aimed at providing a hands-on learning experience. It also features an IMAX screen. The [[Museum of Contemporary Art (Aguascalientes)|Museum of Contemporary Art]] is the city's premier art museum.

The gothic structure of the Los Arquitos cultural center used to be one of the first bathhouses in the city, declared a historic monument in 1990. The Ojocaliente is also an original bathhouse still in use today, and fed with thermal springs.
La Estacion Historic Area (The Old Train Station Complex) contains the [[Old Train Station and Railway Museum]] historic complex, which at some point in 1884 formed the largest rail hub and warehouses in all Latin America. The complex is adorned with dancing fountains, a railway plaza and original locomotives and monuments. It was in this complex that the first locomotive completely manufactured in Mexico was made. It symbolizes the progress of the city and its transformation from the rural to an emergent industrial economy. The rail factories supplied with railways and locomotives to whole of Mexico and Central America. The Train Station is also historic due to its unusual (for Mexico) English architectural style. The Alameda avenue, the railway hangars, the factory complexes, and its surrounding housing have been proposed to be placed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

==Media==
===Radio===
Metroaguascalientes was one of the radio stations for the city of Aguascalientes.<ref name="Metroradio">{{cite episode |title= Noticias_locales_del_09_de_febrero_de_2007|url=https://archive.org/details/Noticias_locales_del_09_de_febrero_de_2007&autoplay=1&playset=1 |access-date= February 2, 2019|first=Jose Antonio |last= Zapato Cabral|station= METROAguascalientes |series= noticiero |date= February 9, 2007|language=es}}</ref>

==Notable residents==
[[File:William Yarbrough at Walter Reed 150903-D-FW736-009 (cropped).jpg|thumbnail|Mexican-born soccer player William Yarbrough]]
* [[William Yarbrough]], Mexican-born American soccer player who plays for [[Liga MX]] club [[León, Guanajuato|León]] and the [[United States national team]]
* [[Wendolly Esparza]], American-born Mexican television personality best known for winning Miss Mexico 2014 and placing top 15 in [[Miss Universe]] 2015.
* [[José María Bocanegra]], lawyer, interim [[President of Mexico]] in December 1829, minister in the national government 1833-44
* [[Manuel M. Ponce]], musician
* [[José Guadalupe Posada]], artist
* [[Guillermo Ulises Ruiz-Esparza]], Physician and Scientist in the field of Medical Nanotechnology.
* [[Saturnino Herrán]], artist
* [[Jose Antonio Zapata Cabral]], journalist
* [[Yadhira Carrillo]], [[telenovela]] actress
* [[Ernesto Alonso]], [[telenovela]] director/actor
* [[Jaime Humberto Hermosillo]], film director
* [[José María Napoleón]], singer/composer
* [[Luis Gerardo Méndez]], actor
* [[Violeta Retamoza]], golfer
* [[Gabriela Palacio]], beauty pageant titleholder
* [[Karina González]], beauty pageant titleholder

==Sports==
===Soccer===
'''Club de Fútbol [[Gallos Hidrocálidos de Aguascalientes]]''' was a [[Association football|football]] club from [[Aguascalientes]], [[Mexico]].

The club was founded in 1994, when [[Salvador López Monroy]], a restaurant business owner from [[Los Angeles]],<ref>{{cite web|publisher=Imagen |title=Desfalco a los Gallos |trans-title=Embezzlement in the Roosters |url=http://www.imagenzac.mx/1999/06/19/Aguascalientes5.htm |archive-url=https://archive.is/20130221052118/http://www.imagenzac.mx/1999/06/19/Aguascalientes5.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2013 |language=es |date=19 June 1999 }}</ref> bought a second division franchise which he relocated to [[Aguascalientes]] where there was no professional football club.<ref name="P24">{{cite web|publisher=Pagina 24 |author=García Esparza, Karla Lizbeth |title=Desmienten Regreso de los Gallos de Aguascalientes al Futbol Profesional |trans-title=Roosters of Aguascalientes denied a return to professional football |url=http://www.pagina24.com.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3170&catid=46&Itemid=93 |language=es |date=31 July 2012 }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

The club played its last tournament in 2000-2001 when the Governor of [[Aguascalientes]] bought first division club [[Necaxa]], with its national following, and relocated it from Mexico City. Gallos de Aguascalientes was then sold to [[C.D. Guadalajara|Chivas]], which changed its name to [[Club Deportivo Guadalajara Reserves|F.C. Tapatio de Guadalajara]], affiliated to Chivas.<ref name="P24" />

The city is home to the soccer team [[Club Necaxa]], which plays in Mexican first division. The club left [[Mexico City]] and relocated to Aguascalientes following the 2003 opening of [[Estadio Victoria]], which is now the club's home venue and one of the best stadiums in the country.

===Basketball===
[[Panteras de Aguascalientes]] its part of the Mexican basketball league [[Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Profesional|National Professional Basketball League]] (LNBP). In 2003, the Panteras won the championship of the LNBP. The Panteras play their home games at the Gimnasio Hermanos Carreón.

===Baseball===
The baseball team [[Rieleros de Aguascalientes]], returned to the Mexican League in 2012. The team previously won the championship in 1978.

===Cycling===
The [[Aguascalientes Bicentenary Velodrome]], designed by Peter Junek, hosted the 2010 [[Pan American Road and Track Championships|Pan American Track Championships]].
At an Elevation of 1887m, the Velodrome is a frequent location for attempts at breaking the Cycling [[Hour Record]]

==In popular culture==
* Aguascalientes was the hometown of Esperanza Ortega in the book ''[[Esperanza Rising]]''.
* The [[Festival de Calaveras]], is a tribute made to the [[La Catrina]] created by [[José Guadalupe Posada]], this colorful festival arises with the aim of rescuing and preserving the traditions of the [[Día de Muertos]]
* Mexican engraver, illustrator and caricaturist [[José Guadalupe Posada]] was born in the city of Aguascalientes
* Mexican painter [[Saturnino Herrán]] was born in the city of Aguascalientes
* In 2016, American comedian, actress, television host, and producer [[Chelsea Handler]] visited Aguascalientes with a [[piñata]] effigy of [[Donald Trump]] for her [[Netflix Original]] [[Chelsea (TV series)|talk show]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Aguascalientes City#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Aguascalientes City}}

==Other websites==
{{commons category|Aguascalientes Municipality}}
{{wikivoyage|Aguascalientes}}
* {{cite web| url = http://www.muniags.gob.mx/ | title = Municipal website |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081014004141/http://www.muniags.gob.mx/ |archivedate = 2014-05-12 }}
* [http://www.aguascalientesmexico.info Fotos, Mensajes, y Mas de Aguascalientes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120190211/https://aguascalientesmexico.info/ |date=2021-11-20 }}
* {{cite web| url = http://www.inegi.gob.mx/est/contenidos/espanol/sistemas/conteo2005/localidad/iter/ | title = Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20130406130712/http://www.inegi.gob.mx/est/contenidos/espanol/sistemas/conteo2005/localidad/iter/ |archivedate = 2014-05-12 }} INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática

[[Category:Cities in Mexico]]