Oaxaca is one of Mexico's 31 states, located in the country's southeast corridor just west of the isthmus of Tehuantepec. A tourist destination, cultural heartland and historical treasure chest, Oaxaca was also home to President Benito Juárez.
Geography
Oaxaca is a mountainous state with a large fertile central valley, sharing its southern border with Pacific Ocean and its other borders with four Mexican states: Guerrero to the west, Chiapas to the east, Veracruz to the north and Puebla to the northwest.
History
The state's rugged terrain gave early rise to many diverse and isolated communities, both culturally and linguistically. Regional powers such as the Zapotecs and Mixtecs rose from here, the latter being conquered by the Aztecs who ruled until the arrival of Hernan Cortes and the Spanish.
Demographics
Oaxaca contains 16 formally recognized indigenous groups, all of which retain their own languages, often in addition to Spanish.
Travel
With the state's 155 miles of beaches, myriad archeological sites and abundance of colonial architecture, it is no wonder Oaxaca's primary industry is tourism. Tourists generally come to see the city of Oaxaca, as well as Monte Alban, the ancient Mixtec and Zapotec capital.
Culture
Oaxaca boasts a number of colorful festivals such as its "night of radishes", unique woven and wooden crafts, a diversity of cuisine and its native shamanism, which brought attention to the state and María Sabina, visited by the likes of John Lennon and Bob Dylan in the 1960s.
Tags: Oaxaca Mexico