What is your favourite state of Mexico?

[ag]

You mean Mexico's ever in states other than disease-ridden and poor?

Yes, of course. Actually, "disease-ridden" is not an appropriate description these days: Mexican life expectancy is well over 70 years (and approaching 80 years for women) - just a few years behind the US and other developed countries (and above what it was there even 25 years ago). Mexico's number one health prolem these days is the same as in the US - obesity, especially among children.  And few places in the world can boast better climate than Mexican heartland.

Of course, poverty is common (especially rural poverty), and much of Mexico is simply woefully disorganized. Still, you can find a lot of very nice provincial towns (including the midsize provincial capitals) with very decent quality of life. I would nominate the city of Queretaro as an example of an affluent, clean, safe, and very livable midsize town.  Another very livable place (though, unlike Queretaro, not touristy or pretty) is the capital of the Veracruz State, the city of Jalapa. 

I myself wold go with my adopted hometown of Mexico City - but I simply can't imagine living in a metropolitan area of less than 10 mln. people.

[ag]

What do the names mean in English?
Can you tell us a little about each one?
Which one is the most liberal?
etc
I have only been to Mexico once, so I hardly feel like I know enough to vote here.

Hey, there are 32 of them (including the federal district). Like in the U.S. about half the names are native, so translating them would be tough. Let me give it a try:

1. Aguascalientes (Hot Waters) - a small state in central Mexico, entirely dominated by the state capital of the same name. Has the fewest natives of any state in the country.

2. Baja California (Lower California - to distinguish from the Alta (or Nueva) California - the Upper (or New) California, which you know as California). Mostly desert and expensive ugly cities. State capital (Mexicali) has the largest traditional Chinese community in the country. Tijuana is dreadful, but, apparently, has a very lively contemporary art scene - if you know where to find it. Ensenada is a nice university town and port, very Californian, though poorer. Best winemaking in Mexico in the near the U.S. border. Ruled by the right (was PAN's first governorship, and PAN still governs it), though PRI is making a comeback (they now have Tijuana mayoralty).

3. Baja California Sur (Southern Lower California) - the Southern chunk of the Californian peninsula, loped of Baja California. Very sparse population (smallest of any Mexican state), mostly deserts and missions, resorts in the far south (Los Cabos). Ruled by the left (PRD), but entirely insignificant politically.

4. Campeche (native name). The southeastern chunk of the Yucatan penisnula. Historic walled old town Campeche (the only major walled town in Mexico) - UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mayan ruins (and Mayan natives) and oil - a lot of it.

5. Chiapas (native name). Actually, culturally this is Guatemala, not Mexico, but for obscure reasons it stayed a part of Mexico post-independence. The poorest state in Mexico (though still far richer than Guatemala), 40% of the population is native (Mayan). Colonial town of Sant Cristobal and the ruins in Palenque are main attractions. State capital Tuxtla Gutierrez - modern and boring. Quite criminal along the border and out of control of the government in parts (Zapatistas). By the way, Zapatistas have come out vehemently against the political left (PRD and Lopez Obrador).

6. Chihuahua (native name). Largest (territorially) state. Apparently, the state capital (Chihuahua) has lots of good late nineteenth-century architecture, while the Chihuahua to Los Mochis railroad through the copper canyon is a major tourist attraction (as well as the only rail route still in daily operation in the country).  The largest city, Ciudad Juarez, on the U.S. border is deadly ugly and boring (though there are some missions), but I would say that it is less ugly or boring than El Paso on the U.S. side of the border. Lots of crime, industrial plants, etc. Was an early stronghold of PAN (Cd. Juarez and Chihuahua were the earliest PAN major mayoralties in 1983, and in 1986 PAN was swindled out of what would have been their first governorhip - they took it in 1992), but PRI has managed to recover and now governs.

I will continue in the next post.

[ag]

7. Coahuila (native name) - formerly known as Coahuila y Texas (that is, Texas used to be a part of Coahuila). State capital (Saltillo) used to be the major city of northern Mexico, and is (probably) the region's only pleasant colonial city.

8. Colima (native name, comes from the name of a large volcano that dominates the state and also shared by the state capital).  A small state on the coast (though the state capital is in the hills). Manzanillo is a big resort. Some interesting arqueological finds (mainly small scale). Some polls have it as the happiest state in Mexico.

9. Durango (native name). A large landlocked state in a semi-desert. State capital has some important colonial constructions and, I believe, some Westerns were shot there. Can't say much more about it.

10. Guanajuato (native name). Mexico's heartland, on the Bajio plateau. The state capital is a small (some 100 thousand residents) and very beautiful colonial formerly silver mining and now university town (the local math center is preeminent in Mexico, if not in Latin America). Though living there might be somewhat difficult (I've been told municipal services are mediocre), this is a tourist's paradise. Nearby Leon is, probably, the country's fourth largest city (1.5 mln. people), while the Bajio International Airport between them is a major transit hub. San Miguel Allende (an hour from Guanajuato) is the capital of Gringo Mexico (sometimes it seems that most residents are American artists and retirees). Dolores Hidalgo is the birthplace of Mexico's independence (that's where the independence was proclaimed by padre Hidalgo in 1810). There are a number of other important colonial cities (Salamanca, Moroleon, Irapuato). A thorough PAN stronghold on all levels (its first non-PRI governor was the now president Vicente Fox).

11. Guerrero ("Fighter" - I think it is named in honor of an independence war hero of that last name). A state of contrasts. Acapulco is large, wealthy and poluted resort and port (Mexico City's access to the Pacific). Taxco is a most delightful silver town - a must for any tourist in Mexico.  Nearby Ixcateopan is the birthplace of the last Aztec Emperor and as such is somewhat important as a mystical symbol of "Mexicanity", though not very interesting otherwise. Important caves. Can't say much about the state capital (Chilpancingo). At the same time, this is the state with the poorest and least developed villages in Mexico (many of these inhabited by Mexicans of African origin - the state has the largest "African Mexican" community). Has been a PRI stronghold until the last year, but has now fallen to PRD on all levels - PRD's biggest recent gain.

7. Hidalgo (literally "nobleman", but named in honor of the father of Mexico's independence, padre Miguel Hidalgo). The south of this state has now become suburbs of Mexico City. A rather gritty industrial state, for the most  part, but the monasteries in Ixmiquilpan, Actopan and Epazoyucan have some of the most striking early colonial (almost syncretic) art in Mexico (the fresoes in Ixmiquilpan depicting the battles between Aztecs and the Spaniards drawn by native artists are really incredible). The ruins of the old Toltec capital Tula are also in the state. Some pleasant mining towns northeast of the state capital (Pachuca). In addition, the state has a sizeable British (Welsh-Cornish?) population, accounting for the local culinary specialty: (cornish) pasties (both traditional and with all sorts of chile and mole fillings)!!

Have to run now - will finish later.

[ag]

Continuing

13. Jalisco (the name is derived from the Spanish province of Galicia - Jalisco  was part of the province of Nueva Galicia in colonial times). Guadalajara is Mexico's second largest city (nearly 4 mln. people, including suburbs) - a major industrial, university and cultural center. The suburbs of Tlaquepaque and Tonala are important artisan (ceramics) centers. The suburb of Zapopan is a very important Catholic pilgrimage site. South of Guadalajara on the shores of lake Chapala (the largest lake in Mexico) is the Gringoland - Chapala, Ajijic and other American retirement communities. The source of tequila (Tequila itself is a town a couple of hours away from Guadalajara). Major resort in Puerto Vallarta. More or less safely PAN land, though with some resurgence by PRI.

14. Mexico State (native name; Mexico - pronounced Meshiko - was the self-designation of  the Aztecs). The largest state in Mexico (over 15 mln. people), surrounding Mexico city on 3 sides. Generally, PRI land, though the rich Mexico City suburbs vote PAN and the poor suburbs vote PRD. The state capital Toluca is large, but rather nondescript, owing its prominence to being designated the state capital in the 19th century, though has a few nice museums and a large post-independence cathedral. It is also the highest state capital in Mexico (over 2600 meters above sea level - 400 meters above Mexico City) - it snows there almost every winter. A lot of Mexican industrial base was born and died in this state, though these days there is again some resurgence of industrial production. The great pyramids of Teotihuacan are here and many smaller arqueological cites dot the state, as do the numerous colonial convents. In the far west there are nature reserves and Mexico City wealthy playgrounds like Valle del Bravo.  In the east, on the border with Puebla and Morelos the Popocatepetl and Ixtaccihuatl volcanoes dominate the Mexico Valley.  A much too diverse state to even try to describe in one paragraph.

I guess, I am tired - tomorrow or next week I will finish.

[ag]

Whichever one contains the least Mexicans.

Quintana Roo... that's where Cancun is.

Then if I had to I'd pick that one, otherwise Mexico is crap.

You're an idiot, Jedi - Mexico is cool, but Cancun is so crappy it is like being in Florida.

I remember when I visited Cancun, it was after a monthlong trip through Guatemala and the Yucatan - Cancun seemed like such a hellhole it was like being home again already.

I love Florida so I'd love Cancun then. I don't care about what you like Opebo becaue most of the forum and world doesn't agree with you so STFU because you're starting to annoy me more lately.

Actually, love of Florida does not imply love of Cancun. If the only thing you care is the beach and the luxury hotel on the beach at 200 dollars/ night - then yes, you'd love it (once they restore the beach post-hurricane). Otherwise, you won't: the hotel zone is on a sand island, isolated, ultra-expensive and fairly boring. The one pedestrian area was (pre-hurricane) somewhat seedy. The restaurants and service are so-so. The city on the mainland is fine, but is brand new - wasn't there until 1974 - so there isn't anything to see there other than shopping malls.  In the same area (Riviera Maya) there are many nice and reasonably upscale resorts with the character, that Cancun lacks.

[ag]

15. Michoacan (native name). Another heartland state, this time in the West. Originally the land of the tarrascans, was never conquered by the Aztecs. Today the offspring of tarrascans are known as purepecha.  The stae capital Morelia (originally, Valladolid), is one of the most Spanish cities in Mexico. Since they've cleared out the street  traders from the city center it is also one of the most tourist friendly (the state government really tries). Valladolid was very loyalist during the independence war (hey, their soccer team's flag - and the unofficial city flag, flying over the city hall - still have the Spanish colors) - in retaliation it was renamed after its unfavored son, the independence war leader Jose Maria Morelos. Elsewhere in the state there are such gems as the beautiful town of Patzcuaro (on the eponimous lake). Great crafts and, especially, sweets.  There are also the famous monarch butterflies on the eastern border with Mexico State.  These days the state is reliably PRD - but it is the family loyalty to the sainted late President Lazaro Cardenas (both Cardenas and his son Cuauhtemoc - the founder, perennial presidential candidate and the "moral leader" of the PRD - have been governors, and the current governor is their son-grandson Lazarito). Now, however, the native son running for presidency is PAN's Calderon - this is PAN's real chance for a pickup.

16. Morelos (named after Jose Maria Morelos - confusingly, Morelia - see Michoacan - is not in Morelos). Just south of Mexico City, but the high mountains inbetween clearly divide the two, so the state capital Cuernavaca is not a true suburb (though some people do commute). Despite a storied past and an impressive array of important sites and landmarks, Cuernavaca is ugly, unless you manage to penetrate one of the walls enclosing the compounds where Mexico City's and local people frolic by the pools (they say, from within some of the compounds you can even enjoy some great views - hard to believe if you stand outside). The city is dirty rich (malls galore and even Starbucks has entered, making it the smallest Mexican metro area with the green mermaids - the others are Mexico City, Guadalajara, Puebla and Toluca), but has the worst paved roads anywhere. But the climate is great - "the city of eternal spring" is always some 5 degrees Celsius warmer than Mexico City, so you can be in a pool around the year. The rest of this small state does not lack in sites: the "precolumbian UN" in Xochicalco, the UNESCO World Heritage monasteries on the slopes of Popocatepetl, old haciendas (some of them converted into great hotels), the pretty lake Tequisquitengo and more. Of course, this is also the land of Emiliano Zapata and the original Zapatistas, who were so successful in fighting for the rights of sugar workers, that ever since their victory the state has simply produced no sugar (it had been the main sugar producing area before). Such elimination of sugar workers has led to a certain gentrification (will the modern Zapatistas be as successful in eliminating farming in Chiapas?), and today the state is governed by PAN (though given the corruption problems of the current governor - he seems to have inherited the style of his PRI predecessors - the party might have wished it weren't).

16. Nayarit (native name). The second-smallest state in population. One feature of it is that the governors tend to defect from coalitions that nominate them. The current governor is currently PAN, I think (or am I wrong and he is already in PRD?). Don't know much more about it.

17. Nuevo Leon (the New Leon - after the erstwhile Kingdom of Leon in Spain). The state's capital and heart is Mexico's third city: Monterrey, the main city of the North, the soul of Mexico's business and industry and the home to many of it's best universities. Many people say, that it reminds them of (a somewhat poorer) Dallas - that is, it wouldn't have been much different in spirit had it been annexed in 1848. Rich (by Mexico's standards) but hot and boring, say others. I should go and check. The state had been PAN, but PRI got it back recently (a common Northern trend).

[ag]

18. Oaxaca (native name) Though the second poorest state in Mexico, Oaxaca is one of its most charming. The state capital (Oaxaca) is a gem of a city, surrounde by pre-columbian sites (Monte Alban and Mitla alone would make it a destination) and native villages with early colonial churches and incredible crafts. The up-and-coming resort of Puerto Escondido is rated by many as one of the best places to be on a beach in Mexico.  Cortes had reserved the valley of Oaxaca for his own private domain - he had some taste. Today, the state is the most native in Mexico (some 56% of the population at the last census), and many of the native groups speak languages of families that are endemic to the state. Alltogether, it is a different Mexico - neither the Aztec heartland of Mexico proper (though the Aztecs did capture much of it in the last couple decades before the Spanish conquest), nor the Mayan world, nor the arid North. It has its own culture and its own cousine (and the greatest mezcal anywhere - instead of marketing the Jaliscan tequila, Mexico would do better by making famous the Oaxacan variety). Even though the state has given Mexico its only native president (Mexico's Lincoln - Benito Juarez - was a full-blooded Zapotec from Oaxaca), much of the native population still lives in poverty in tiny communities. Interestingly, in Oaxaca the traditional self-government of rural communities (one of the Zapatista demands in Chiapas) has been the law for a while (it hasn't helped much to do anything, though).

Tired again - continue next week.

[ag]

The stae capital Morelia (originally, Valladolid), is one of the most Spanish cities in Mexico. Since they've cleared out the street  traders from the city center it is also one of the most tourist friendly (the state government really tries).

Sounds awful, ag.  Street traders and so forth are the whole point of going to the 'developing world' - FREEDOM.  Who wants to visit a controlled place just like home?

In Bangkok considerable oppression of things like street traders and streetwalkers has taken place - more steps towards Social Control and the ruination of the place for tourists with taste.

There are still more than enough markets and people selling things on the streets all over. The problem with uncontrolled street traders is that there can be too much of a good thing. To see this, just go to central Mexico City, where huge and potentiallly beautiful areas of the historic city have been converted into street markets selling junk. The result is, that everything else died: not only tourists, but most Mexicans are afraid to come close, the legal stores have been destroyed (firing more people and sending them to trade on the streets), the streets have come to resemble subway cars in rush hour (forget driving through - you can't walk more than a block in half an hour) and smell like public lavatory. Thus, perhaps the most beautiful part of the historic center is completely destroyed - sure, if you come to Mexico City you'd go visit (once or twice), but most of the time even you will stick to the "controlled" stretches from which they've kicked the traders out. The funny thing, it's not even "uncontrolled" where the junk market is: the vendor leaders have emerged as powerful organized crime figures, all vendors have to pay them for the right to occupy a chunk of the public street, there are enforcers all over - it's not pleasant, trust me.

Morelia, apparently, was starting to get out of control in a similar fashion, depressing tourism - they dealt with it early. Those vendors selling tourist stuff have been relocated to the "Artisan Center" in an old monastery - both sides actually prefer it this way. Still, remember, this is Mexico - it is naturally disorganized. Nothing in Mexico really will ever be "controlled" to the extent that you'd notice - there is always more than enough "character" you'd like to see.  The main square is alive with street life - probably more so now than before. It's not Kremlin - if you want really to go to a spooky place, that would be it.