Guanajuato

Guanajuato is a state in central Mexico famed for its colonial silver-mining cities and its central role in the country's independence. Its capital, also called Guanajuato, is a colourful UNESCO-listed city, while San Miguel de Allende is a renowned cultural town. It is a heartland of Mexican history and the arts.

Guanajuato lies in the central Mexican highlands, the Bajio, a fertile agricultural region ringed by mountains and old mining hills. The terrain is a mix of plains and rugged uplands. The climate is temperate and semi-arid.

The state is rich in culture, hosting the international Cervantino arts festival, with vibrant colonial architecture, mummies, and a strong artistic and culinary scene. San Miguel de Allende attracts artists and visitors worldwide.

One of the richest silver-mining regions in the Spanish empire, Guanajuato was the birthplace of Mexican independence, where Father Hidalgo issued his famous call to arms in 1810. Its historic mining towns remain beautifully preserved.