Colima, Colima

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Colima
Official seal of Colima
Seal
Colima (Mexico)
Colima
Colima
Coordinates: 19°14′36″N 103°43′29″W / 19.24333, -103.72472
Country Flag of Mexico Mexico
State Colima
Municipality Colima
Government
 - Mayor Mario Anguiano Moreno
Elevation 1,000–1,804 ft (305-550 m)
Population (2005)
 - Municipality 132,273
 - Demonym Colimense
Time zone CST (UTC-6)
Postal code 28000
Area code(s) 312
Website: www.colima.gob.mx

Colima is the name of a city and a state in Mexico. This article is about the city. For the state, see: state of Colima. There is also the Colima Volcano.

The city of Colima is the capital and main city of the state of the same name. Colima is also the name of the municipality of which the city of Colima is municipal seat.

Contents

[edit] History

It is one of the oldest cities in Mexico.

Following the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, the Spanish conquistadors were quick to reach the west coast. Colima's native king (Spanish: Rey Colimán) organized the defense of his kingdom against the Spanish. [1]

In 1523 the conquistador Gonzalo de Sandoval founded the first Villa de Colima in Caxitlán, near modern-day Tecomán. However, poor settlement conditions resulted in the founding of the Villa San Sebastián de Colima in what is now the city of Colima. [2] The new location provided a better climate, lands better suited to cultivation, and proximity to mining.

[edit] Disasters

An earthquake that took place on January 21, 2003, measuring 7.8 in magnitude caused extensive damage and claimed at least 24 lives in both Colima and neighboring Jalisco.

[edit] Demographics

In the 2005 census the city had a population of 123,597 people, and its municipality had a population of 132,273. The municipality encompasses an area of 257.99 square miles (668 km²). The Colima metropolitan area, which includes the municipality of Villa de Álvarez, had a population of 232,394.

[edit] Climate

The mean annual temperature is 19 °C (66 °F). The annual precipitation is from 2.5–3.75 inches (64 to 95 mm), a majority of that being recorded from August to September.

[edit] Airport

Miguel de la Madrid Airport - Colima
Miguel de la Madrid Airport - Colima

The Lic. Miguel de la Madrid Airport (CLQ) is near the capital city, Colima, in the municipality of Cuauhtémoc. The Colima airport is 12 kilometers (7.4 miles) northeast of town on the highway to Guadalajara. Mexicana, Avolar, Aero California and Aerolitoral all offer service.


[edit] References

[edit] External links

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