Mexico Travel Mexico News Mexico Destination Guide Contact Us

Mexico Travel :: States around Mexico City

State of Morelos

The mild climates of the state of Morelos have always attracted more powerful cultures from less agreeable lands. Chalcatzingo lay on the western frontier of the Olmec expansion; a series of bas-reliefs on boulders here give glimpses of the Olmec religion. Xochi-calco, just southwest of Cuernavaca, became an important center after the fall of Teotihuacan around AD 700. The city was probably inhabited by a tribe of Chontal-speaking Putun Maya, called the Olmeca-Xicallanca (no relation to the Olmecs), from the Gulf coast who worshipped the Feathered Serpent that surrounds the main temple here. In 1426, the kingdoms of Morelos were defeated by the Aztecs and huge piles of tribute were sent over the mountains to Tenochtitlan. The Aztec Emperor Motecuhzoma I built a luxuriant garden in Oaxtepec near Cuernavaca (then called Cuauhnahuac), which may have inspired the first European botanical gardens. In 1521, Cortes conquered the region, made it part of his encomienda and constructed the New World's first sugar refinery. He also built a palace in Cuernavaca, to which he retreated whenever the colonial politics became too much for him. Many other Spaniards also purchased sugar plantations in Morelos and imported African slaves to replace the Indians who died of disease and overwork. For centuries most of Morelos' land has been concentrated in the hands of a few, usually absentee landlords from Mexico City, and agrarian reform has been a burning issue here. Cuernavaca became the favorite vacation spot of first the criollo elite, then Emperor Maximilian, and now movie stars and politicians. The first bandoleros, peasant revolutionaries, sprang up in 1856 and were later crushed by Porfirio Diaz. Bandolerismo returned with a vengeance under the leadership of Emiliano Zapata. After his 'Liberating Army of the South' ousted Diaz' followers, he instituted his own brand of peasant communism and redistributed millions of acres of land to campesinos. The rich fled Cuernavaca for Mexico City. Zapata was assassinated on April 10, 1919 in a treacherous ambush ordered by President Carranza. At the end of the Revolution, Morelos' economy lay in ruins and reconstruction took decades.

Featured Mexico Travel Destinations

Wall will protect U.S. and Mexico

Wall will protect U.S. and Mexico President Bush is determined to stay the course in Iraq, but he is willing to change course on U.S. border

Mexicos Calderon marked by struggle for religious freedom

Mexicos Calderon marked by struggle for religious freedom The roots of Felipe Calderons likely ascent to Mexicos presidency lie in one of the darkest periods of

Isla Mujeres: Quintana Roo

Isla Mujeres A refreshing antidote to the urban sprawl of Canciin, Isla Mujeres is a good place to relax for a few days away

Idaho officials heading to Mexico to boost trade with state

Idaho officials heading to Mexico to boost trade with state Idaho business and political leaders traveling to Mexico next month for a trade mission want

Parque La Pastora: Monterrey

Parque La Pastora: Monterrey We are in process of collecting information about this site….

Mexico's Fox Says U.S. to Give Disaster Aid to Illegal Migrants

Mexico's Fox Says U.S. to Give Disaster Aid to Illegal Migrants Mexico's President Vicente Fox helped persuade the U.S. government to relax controls on illegal

Mexico says 2005 inflation was at record low

Mexico says 2005 inflation was at record low Mexico produced yet another sign of consolidating macroeconomic stability this week after it announced 2005 inflation was the

University of Guadalajara Assembly Hall: Guadalajara

University of Guadalajara Assembly Hall: Guadalajara We are in process of collecting information about this sight....

WANDERERS GO DOWN MEXICO WAY

WANDERERS GO DOWN MEXICO WAY Bolton are close to signing Mexico striker Jared Borgetti. The 31-year-old arrived in the UK on Friday and as well as negotiating

The Washington Posts trouble with numbers Mexico after NAFTA

The Washington Posts trouble with numbers Mexico after NAFTA On April 17, the Washington Post ran an article about Mexicos economy and the North American Free

Travel to World

© Mexico Travelers About Us :: Advertise with Us :: Copyright and Privacy Policy :: Contact Us Powered by: Travel to World
Archives Site Design and Developer : MAAS InfoMedia