| The most diverse state in Mexico is Oaxaca, | | | | In one of the exhibition halls, tagged as "the first |
| named after its largest city. It is rich in history | | | | major city in the Americas", Monte Albán |
| and culture. Located in the south, Oaxaca borders | | | | is featured. It apparently was a flourishing city |
| the states of Guerrero to the west, Puebla to the | | | | between 300 to 900 C.E, though its construction |
| northwest, Veracruz to the north, and Chiapas to | | | | may date back to the eighth century B.C.E. The |
| the east and the Pacific Ocean in the south. | | | | ruins have revealed an extensive knowledge of |
| The historic home of the Zapotec and Mixtec | | | | astronomy, goldsmithing and hieroglyphic writing. |
| peoples is distinct from all other Mexican states in | | | | A number of pyramids stand out from the |
| that it contains more speakers of indigenous | | | | surrounding valley, along with great plazas, |
| languages than any other state. Oaxaca is located | | | | underground passageways, a court for playing a |
| where the Eastern Sierra Madre and the Southern | | | | ritual ball game and about 170 underground tombs. |
| Sierra Madre mountain ranges converge, resulting | | | | All the great Mesoamerican cities, including Monte |
| in a rugged mountainous terrain with a large | | | | Albán, were abandoned by 900 C.E. |
| temperate central valley, which is responsible for | | | | Oaxaca has a number of native crafts, black clay |
| the cultural and linguistic diversity of the region. | | | | pottery and unique carved wood figures. It's also |
| Oaxaca's principal industry is tourism, with over | | | | known for Oaxaca cheese which is now exported |
| 150 miles of beaches, colonial architecture, | | | | around the world and even made in many |
| archaeological treasures, crafts and folk art. | | | | locations in the United States. Oaxaca is also |
| There are over 4,000 different archaeological | | | | known for producing mezcal, a spirit similar to |
| sites identified in the state of Oaxaca according to | | | | tequila and also for its chocolate, which is made |
| Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and | | | | from ground cacao beans, and frequently includes |
| History. Archaeologists have uncovered priceless | | | | almonds, cinnamon and many other ingredients. |
| relics from these sites, many of which are on | | | | Here you will find breathtaking natural areas and |
| display in the Museum of Oaxacan Cultures. The | | | | archeological sites that provide a glimpse of |
| Museum is located about 270 miles southeast of | | | | Oaxaca's past civilizations. So if a trip to Mexico is |
| Mexico City, in the former convent of Santo | | | | in your future, consider spending some of it in |
| Domingo de Guzmán. | | | | Oaxaca. |