Querétaro 222250 224410613 2008-07-08T18:56:37Z VolkovBot 3035831 robot Adding: [[lt:Keretaras]] {{Infobox Settlement <!--See the Table at Infobox Settlement for all fields and descriptions of usage--> <!-- Basic info ----------------> |name = <!--State of-->State of Querétaro |other_name = |native_name = |nickname = |settlement_type = |motto = <!-- images and maps -----------> |image_skyline = |imagesize = |image_caption = |image_flag = Mexico stateflags Queretaro.png |flag_size = 140px |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = Escudo Querétaro.svg |shield_size = 80px |city_logo = |citylogo_size = |image_map = Mexico map, MX-QUE.svg |mapsize = |map_caption = Location within Mexico |image_map1 = |mapsize1 = |map_caption1 = |image_dot_map = |dot_mapsize = |dot_map_caption = |dot_x = |dot_y = |pushpin_map = <!-- the name of a location map as per http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Location_map --> |pushpin_label_position = <!-- the position of the pushpin label: left, right, top, bottom, none --> |pushpin_map_caption = |pushpin_mapsize = <!-- Location ------------------> |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = {{MEX}} |subdivision_type1 = Capital |subdivision_name1 = [[Santiago de Querétaro]] |subdivision_type2 = [[Municipalities of Mexico|Municipalities]] |subdivision_name2 = [[#Municipalities|18]] |subdivision_type3 = <!-- [[List of cities in Mexico|Largest&nbsp;City]] --> |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = <!-- Politics -----------------> |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title =[[List of Mexican state governors|Governor]] |leader_name =[[Francisco Garrido Patrón]] (PAN) |leader_title1 = [[Chamber of Deputies of Mexico|Federal&nbsp;Deputies]] |leader_name1 =[[National Action Party (Mexico)|PAN]]: 4 |leader_title2 =[[Senate of Mexico|Federal&nbsp;Senators]] |leader_name2 = PAN: 2<br>PRI: 1 |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = <!-- Settled --> |established_date = |established_title2 = |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = <!-- Area ---------------------> |area_magnitude = |unit_pref = <!--Enter: Imperial, if Imperial (metric) is desired--> |area_footnotes =</br> [[List of Mexican states by area|Ranked 27th]] |area_total_km2 = 11449<!-- ALL fields dealing with a measurements are subject to automatic unit conversion--> |area_land_km2 = <!--See table @ Template:Infobox Settlement for details on automatic unit conversion--> |area_water_km2 = |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |area_blank1_title = |area_blank1_km2 = |area_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- Population -----------------------> |population_as_of =2005 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total =1,598,139 ([[List of Mexican states by population|Ranked 23rd]]) |population_density_km2 =139.59 |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = <!-- General information ---------------> | timezone = [[Central Standard Time|CST]] | utc_offset = -6 | timezone_DST = [[Central Daylight Time|CDT]] | utc_offset_DST = -5 |latd= |latm= |lats= |latNS= |longd= |longm= |longs= |longEW= |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = <!-- Area/postal codes & others --------> |postal_code_type = <!-- enter ZIP code, Postcode, Post code, Postal code... --> |postal_code = |area_code = |blank_name =[[Human Development Index|HDI]] (2004) |blank_info =0.8015 - <span style="color:#090">high</span><br>[[List of Mexican states by HDI|Ranked 12th]] |blank1_name =[[ISO 3166-2]] |blank1_info =MX-QUE |blank2_name =Postal abbr. |blank2_info =Qro. |blank3_name = |blank3_info = |website = |footnotes = }} '''Querétaro''' (former formal name: '''Querétaro Arteaga''') is a [[Political divisions of Mexico|state]] in central [[Mexico]]. Its capital is the city of [[Santiago de Querétaro]], although in general parlance the name "Querétaro" is used for both the city and the state. The name is thought to come from a phrase in the [[Otomi language|Otomi]] language meaning "[[Mesoamerican ballgame|the great ball game]]", or from a phrase in the [[P'urhépecha language]] translated as "place of stones". It should be noted that the area of La Cañada, east of Santiago de Querétaro, features a large gorge that resembles the two opposite walls that were used in the [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] ball game. Querétaro is bordered to the north by the state of [[San Luis Potosí]], to the west by [[Guanajuato]], to the east by [[Hidalgo (Mexico)|Hidalgo]], to the southeast by [[Mexico State]], and to the southwest by [[Michoacán]]. The capital city of Santiago de Querétaro is located some {{km to mi|num=257|abbr=no|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=yes}} to the northwest of [[Mexico City]]. It is known for its [[Colony|Colonial Era]] architecture. == History == ===Origins and Viceroyal Era=== Querétaro was inhabited by the Otomí and [[P'urhépecha]] (Tarascos), the latter being the ruling people. There was also a small presence of nomadic tribes, called [[Chichimeca]]s. There are some archeological sites dating from this era, such as the [[Mesoamerican pyramids|pyramid]] in [[City of Corregidora|Corregidora]], and the sites of Ranas and Toluquilla in the [[Sierra Gorda]]. The [[New Spain|Spaniards]] reached the area in 1531, and they allied themselves with an Otomí chieftain called [[Conín]]. Legend has it that an agreement was reached, under which local [[Indigenous peoples in Mexico|Indians]] would accept Spanish rule and embrace the [[Catholicism|Catholic faith]] if they were defeated in a weapon free battle. The [[Spanish people|Spanish]] conquerors were about to lose, when suddenly, the sky went dark and out of it came [[James, son of Zebedee|Saint James the Great]] and a fiery [[Christian cross|Holy Cross]]. The local Indians immediately accepted defeat, and so the city of Santiago (Saint James) de Querétaro was founded on [[July 25]]. [[Image:Piramide del pueblito.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pyramid of El Pueblito]] ]] Following the Spanish conquest, the area was recognized as being of strategic importance since it connected rich mining regions of Guanajuato, [[San Luis Potosí]] and [[Zacatecas]] with Mexico City. Expeditions that aimed to conquer the north of the country and to convert local people to the Catholic faith left from the city of Querétaro. This is the main reason why the downtown area boasts so many religious buildings dating from this era. Catholic [[missionary]] [[Junípero Serra]] departed from Querétaro towards [[Alta California]], where he was responsible for the founding of what became major [[California]] cities (such as [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]]). In 1707 the Hacienda "Juriquilla" was built north of Queretaro City. By the end of the 18th Century the owner of the property was "Pedro Antonio de Septién Montero y Austri", son to "Agustín de Septién y Montero", from León, Guanajuato. Between 1726 and 1738 the greatest work of [[civil engineering]] in the state was built. The [[aqueduct]] that provided water to the city of Querétaro from nearby springs was possible thanks to the donations of [[Juan Antonio de Urrutia y Arana]], a Spanish nobleman. Legend has it that he was in love with a [[nun]] from the Convent of the Holy Cross, thus the aqueduct ended in a fountain in the Convent's orchard. The city of Querétaro became so important during Spanish rule that it was dubbed "the third city of the kingdom" (after Mexico City and [[Puebla, Puebla|Puebla]]). === 19th Century === Querétaro is considered to be the cradle of [[Mexican War of Independence|Mexican Independence]], since the rebellion was planned here. However, on [[September 13]], [[1810]], the plot was discovered by the Viceroyal government. Therefore, one of the leaders of the movement, the Corregidora (who was the wife of the highest local authority) was locked in her room, while the rest of the plotters could be captured. Legend has it that she had to make noise with her heels in order to draw attention from Ignacio Pérez, who rode his horse all the way to San Miguel el Grande (now [[San Miguel de Allende]]) to warn other conspirators. This ignited the war. During the Colonial period Querétaro was not a province or [[Intendente|intendencia]] as the rest of the states but a ''corregimiento de letras'', which was a sort of ''Special Administrative Region''. This led to a discussion about including Querétaro as a state in the [[1824 Constitution of Mexico]], however the robust economy of Querétaro, and hence its capacity to generate enough revenues, was what finally convinced the deputies.[http://www.biblioteca.tv/artman2/publish/1823_122/Discurso_pronunciado_por_el_diputado_Feliz_Osores__1500.shtml] [[Image:Queretaro Set Dominguez.jpg|thumb|right|Church of San Francisco]] The city of Santiago de Querétaro was proclaimed capital of Mexico in 1847, when the American troops [[Mexican-American War|invaded Mexico City]]. On [[May 30]], [[1848]] the [[treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo]] was signed here, by which Mexico ceded half of its territory to the [[United States]]. [[Maximilian I of Mexico]] chose Querétaro in 1867 to confront and defeat the Republican troops of [[Benito Juárez]], who where coming from the north. The Imperial troops arrived on [[February 19]], [[1867]], commanded by Emperor Maximilian. They were surrounded by Republican troops, however, and the siege of Querétaro began on [[March 5]], [[1867]]. On [[May 14]], the Imperial army attempted to escape to Mexico City, but they were betrayed by a [[colonel]], marking the end of the [[Second Mexican Empire]]. It was here that Maximillian was executed by [[Execution by firing squad|firing squad]] on [[June 19]] [[1867]]. === 20th Century === Following the Mexican Revolution, the victorious forces assembled themselves in Santiago de Querétaro, where they drafted on [[February 5]], [[1917]] the [[Constitution of Mexico|Constitution]] that remains in force to the present. The state then suffered stagnation, until the 1970s, when industry was attracted. Santiago de Querétaro was a host city for the [[1986 FIFA World Cup]]. The state is a quite calm place, with no civil unrest, low crime and a high standard of living. This has attracted many immigrants from other parts of Mexico (particularly the Federal District, the state of [[Mexico (state)|Mexico]] and [[Guanajuato]]), as well as investments from abroad (notably the [[United States|U.S.]], [[South Korea]] and [[Europe]]an countries). == Geography == The state is located between northern parallels 20° 01' 02" and 21° 40' and western meridians 99° 03' 23" y 100° 36'. The surface area is {{km2 to mi2|num=11687.69|abbr=no|spell=Commonwealth|precision=2|wiki=yes}}, 0.6% of Mexico and it is ranked as the 27th (out of 32) largest state. === Time Zone === The state is located in the [[Central Time Zone (North America)|Central Time Zone]] which is [[Greenwich Mean Time]] - 6h during Standard Time and GMT - 5h during [[Daylight saving time|Daylight Saving Time]]. === Elevation === The state is heavily mountainous, notably in the [[Sierra Gorda]] and the Sierra Queretana, part of the [[Sierra Madre Oriental]]. The area between the two (the Valleys and the Semidesierto) is composed of numerous valleys and usually low peaks. However, the highest peak is the Cerro del Zamorano at {{m to ft|num=3360|abbr=no|spell=Commonwealth|precision=0|wiki=yes}} above sea level in the Valley of Querétaro. Other notable peaks include Cerro El Espolón at {{convert|3240|m|ft|0|}}, Cerro La Pingüica at {{convert|3160|m|ft|0|}}, and Cerro de la Vega at {{convert|3120|m|ft|0|}}. The highest municipality seat is [[Amealco de Bonfil]] at {{convert|2620|m|ft|0|}} asl while the lowest is [[Jalpan de Serra]] at {{m to ft|760}} asl (ironically, in the Sierra Gorda region). [[Santiago de Querétaro]] and [[San Juan del Río]] are located at {{m to ft|1820}} and {{m to ft|1920}} [[Above mean sea level|asl]], respectively. === Climate === There is a wide array of climates, mainly due to elevation. Following the [[Köppen climate classification]], there are nine climate types, the most widespread being semiarid and temperate (BS1k), covering 39.53% of the state's surface most notably the cities of San Juan del Río, [[Cadereyta de Montes]], [[Tequisquiapan]] and [[Ezequiel Montes, Querétaro|Ezequiel Montes]]. The other types of climates, in order or surface importance, are: * Temperate subhumid with a rainy summer ('''C(w)'''): 22.6% (Amealco and Huimilpan), * Semitropical subhumid with a rainy summer ('''ACw'''): 20.2% (Jalpan), * Semiarid and semihot ('''BS1h'''): 9.40% (Santiago de Querétaro), * Arid and semihot ('''BSh'''): 4.1%, * Tropical wet with a rainy summer ('''A(w)'''): 2.45%, * Semitropical wet with intense rains in summer ('''ACm'''): 0.68%, * Temperate humid with intense rains in summer ('''C(m)'''): 0.59%, * Semiarid and very hot ('''BS1(h')'''): 0.45%. Average yearly temperatures and precipitation for some cities are as follow: * Querétaro: {{convert|18.8|°C|°F|0}} / {{mm to in|549|abbr=yes}} * San Juan del Río: {{convert|17.3|°C|°F|0}} / {{mm to in|556|abbr=yes}} * Amealco: {{convert|14.9|°C|°F|0}} / {{mm to in|837|abbr=yes}} * Jalpan: {{convert|23.9|°C|°F|0}} / {{mm to in|836|abbr=yes}} === Regions === Querétaro can be divided into five or four ''regions'', depending on criteria used. These are two central valleys (Valle de Querétaro and Valle de San Juan), the arid Semidesierto, and two mountainous regions: the [[Sierra Gorda]] and the Sierra Queretana. [[Image:Regiones de Queretaro.PNG|thumb|left|The four regions of Querétaro]] * '''Valle de Querétaro''': comprises the municipalities of [[City of Corregidora]], [[El Marqués]], [[Huimilpan]] and [[Santiago de Querétaro]]. It is the state's part of the [[Bajío]] (Central Mexican plains). The metropolitan area of the State's capital is coextensive with this region. ''Also known as Central Querétaro''. * '''Valle de San Juan''': [[Amealco de Bonfil]], [[Ezequiel Montes, Querétaro|Ezequiel Montes]], [[Pedro Escobedo]], [[San Juan del Río]], and [[Tequisquiapan]]. It is an extremely fertile valley, with abundant water resources (both surface and underground). It can be considered the state's breadbasket. ''Also known as Southern Querétaro''. * '''Semidesierto''': [[Cadereyta de Montes]], [[Colón, Querétaro|Colón]], [[Peñamiller]], [[San Joaquín, Querétaro|San Joaquín]], and [[Tolimán, Querétaro|Tolimán]]. This region is dry, because of the shadow created by the Sierra Gorda that stops rain clouds from coming into the area. * '''[[Sierra Gorda]]''': [[Arroyo Seco, Querétaro|Arroyo Seco]], [[Jalpan de Serra]], [[Landa de Matamoros|Landa]], and [[Pinal de Amoles]]. It is the part of the [[Sierra Madre Oriental]] that runs through the state. It has both the highest and the lowest elevations in the state, and it has numerous climates, from alpine weather near Pinal de Amoles and San Joaquín, to tropical weather in Landa. It is a very rugged area, with numerous intermontane valleys. The area is rich in mineral resources, notably mercury. * '''Sierra Queretana''': formed by Huimilpan and Amealco, it is usually divided and considered as part of the central valleys. === Water === Querétaro belongs to two main [[Hydrology|hydrological]] [[Drainage basin|basins]], the eastern-bound [[Pánuco River|Panuco basin]] that drains into the [[Gulf of Mexico]] and the western-bound [[Lerma River|Lerma-Santiago basin]] that drains into the [[Pacific Ocean]]. Main rivers in the first basin include the San Juan, which joins the Tula river to form the Moctezuma river that forms the eastern limits of the state; the Sierra Gorda has numerous ones, such as the Extoraz and Santa María. The Pueblito and Querétaro rivers belong to the Lerma watershed. Main bodies of water are usually reservoirs, notably (in order of importance): Zimapán, Constitución de 1917 (Galindo), San Ildefonso, Centenario, Santa Catarina, La Llave, Jalpan, and Soledad. The city of Santiago de Querétaro, and therefore most of the state's population, are in the Lerma-Santiago basin. This watershed supplies water to most of Central Mexico (including Mexico City, Guanajuato, and [[Jalisco]]), a reason why it is over exploited. The effect of this can be best appreciated in [[Lake Chapala]], where the water levels keep dropping. The city of Querétaro has always had an insufficient water supply. Historically, it has been obtained from nearby [[Spring (hydrosphere)|springs]], reason why the Aqueduct was built. Currently, it covers its needs from underground sources. There are 9 [[aquifer]]s in the state: Querétaro, San Juan del Río, Chichimequillas, Tequisquiapan, Buenavista, Huimilpan, Tolimán, Cadereyta and Amealco. In the Valley of Querétaro, 103 million [[cubic metre]]s (135&nbsp;[[Cubic yard|cu&nbsp;yd]]) are extracted each year while only 70 million m³ (91&nbsp;million&nbsp;cu&nbsp;yd) are recharged, therefore there is an annual deficit of 33 million m³ (43 million&nbsp;cu&nbsp;yd). There have been many projects that intend to supply the city from the Panuco watershed, including a controversial dam on the Extoraz river in the Sierra Gorda region. The Aqueduct II will be built in the following years, supplying the Valley of Queretaro and the Semidesierto with water from the Moctezuma river. It is expected that the Aqueduct II will supply the water needs for the next 30 years. Water is regulated and supplied to consumers by the Comisión Estatal del Agua (CEA), a government agency. === Municipalities === The state of Querétaro is subdivided into 18 municipalities since 1993, when the actual limits were drawn. ''([[Municipality|municipios]])'' See [[municipalities of Querétaro]]. ==Major communities== *[[Santiago de Querétaro]] *[[San Juan del Río]] *[[City of Corregidora]] (part of the metropolitan area of Santiago de Queretaro) *[[Tequisquiapan]] *[[Juriquilla]] == Demographics == As of the 2005 census, the state had 1,598,139 inhabitants. The population density was about {{PD km2 to mi2|140}}. The State is ranked 23rd with 1.5% of the total national population. 66.4% of queretanos live in cities while 33.6% live in rural areas. The state has been considered a "city-state" since most of its population is concentrated in the municipality of [[Santiago de Querétaro|Querétaro]] (almost 46% in 2000). According to the 1995 national census, there are only two cities with a population of more than 50,000, namely [[San Juan del Río]] and Santiago de Querétaro. The most heavily populated municipalities are (2005): * [[Santiago de Querétaro]] (734,139) * [[San Juan del Río]] (208,462) * [[Corregidora|City of Corregidora]] (104,218) * [[El Marqués]] (79,743) * [[Amealco de Bonfil]] (56,457) * [[Cadereyta de Montes]] (57,204) * [[Tequisquiapan]] (54,929) In the latter years, Querétaro has established itself as one of the federal entities with the highest growth rates, behind Quintana Roo (4.7%), Baja California Sur (3.4%), and Baja California (2.4). The State's population has grown 2.3%, a rate 1.3% higher than the national average. It is noteworthy that Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo have low population levels, and Baja California is a magnet for people intending to cross the United States border in the near future. Growth is unequal within the State, with Corregidora reaching a 3.5% rate, San Juan del Río 2% and Querétaro 1.9%. According to the National Population Council (CONAPO), Querétaro has a [[Human Development Index]] of 0.802, considered to be high, and is ranked 13th place. However, disparities in HDI exist between the different municipalities. Querétaro and Corregidora have the highest levels, with 0.853 and 0.848, respectively, while Amealco and Pinal de Amoles have the lowest levels, with 0.652 and 0.632, respectively. Race and ethnicity are not measured by official government statistics. However, estimates consider the population of Queretaro to be primarily [[Mestizo]] (mixed Native American and European stock) with 70%, Whites form 25% (mainly descendants of Spanish as well as other Europeans, including Caucasian foreigners), and 4% are pure Native American. There is a small community of East Asians (primarily Japanese and Korean expatriates) as well as descendants of Lebanese and Syrian immigrants. There are many immigrants from: The United States (Most of them live in the Tejeda neighborhood in Corregidora), Canada, Argentina, Cuba, Brazil, Chile, Spain, The UK, Italy, Germany, Poland, Sweden, Russia, Lebanon, Israel, Turkey, Japan, South Korea, China and the Philippines. Americans form about 60% of the foreign population in Queretaro and Poles about 30%. There are 25,269 speakers of indigenous languages in the State (2000) aged 5 or older. 6.7% of them do not speak [[Spanish language|Spanish]]. [[Otomi language|Otomi]] has the largest number of speakers with 22,077 (or 87.4%), followed by [[Nahuatl]] (1,069/4.2%), [[Mazahua language|Mazahua]] (336/1.3%), [[Zapotec language|Zapoteco]] (215/0.9%), and [[Wastek language|Huasteco]] (121/0.5%). The municipalities with the highest proportion of indigenous people are Tolimán (35.6%), Amealco (32.3%), and Cadereyta (3.5%); in these places the Otomi (nhä-nho) ethnic group is preponderant. == Economy == Querétaro has one of the most dynamic economies amongst Mexican States. The growth of its [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] has exceeded the national average for years, accounting for an increase of 5.5% in 2005, 6.1% in 2004 and 4.1% in 2003, according to the ''Agenda Económica'' published by the State Government. The average growth during the 1993 - 2004 period was 5.1%, ranking second best in Mexico.<ref>[http://www.queretaro.gob.mx/sedesu/deseco/esteco/perfeco/competitividad/index.htm Indicadores de Competitividad del Estado de Querétaro]</ref> [[Manufacturing]] accounts for one third of the GDP, followed by [[commerce]] and [[hospitality]] (20%), non financial services (15%), [[transport]]ation and communications (13%), and [[financial services]] (10%). [[Agriculture]] accounts for 4% of the State's GDP. The main industrial sectors are [[automobile]] related, [[Food processing|processed foods]], [[Major appliance|home appliances]], [[electronics]], [[Papermaking|paper]], and [[poultry]]. [[Education]] (30-40% of [[higher education]] students come from other states and countries) and [[tourism]] (the state is considered the first largest non-beach-resort destination in the country) also play an important role. The economy is expected to transform itself and become a high-value-added knowledge economy. Currently, 38.3% of foreign companies in the state can be so defined, being the state with the highest proportion. A study by the [[Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education]] (ITESM) ranked Querétaro as the 5th most suitable state for such a transformation (2005). [[Canada|Canadian]] aircraft manufacturer [[Bombardier]] began operations in the State. This will enable the creation of the leading [[aeronautics|aeronautical]] cluster in Mexico. In its 2007 [[Latin America]]n Cities ranking, that values innovation and technology, [[América Economía]] placed Santiago de Querétaro in position number 6 (2nd in Mexico). In fDi magazine’s North American Cities of the Future 2007/08 rankings, the city earned a Top Ten Overall ranking (6th place) and Top Five for Most Cost Effective for the Large Cities category (500,000 to 2 million population). === Tourism === Tourism is increasing its importance in the economy. Querétaro has become the first non-beach destination and 7th overall (1.764 million visitors and 65% hotel room occupation in 2006). 92% of visitors come from other parts of Mexico (62% Valley of Mexico, 5% each Guanajuato, Jalisco, and Nuevo León) while 8% come from abroad (mainly Canada and the United States). There are 226 hotels and inns with 8,239 rooms. Tourism represents a benefit of 2.611 billion pesos. The State of Querétaro offers two [[World Heritage Sites]] (Historic Monuments Zone of [[Querétaro|Santiago de Querétaro]] and the [[Franciscan Missions in the Sierra Gorda]]), a Pueblo Mágico (Bernal), the first vineyards in America ([[Tequisquiapan]] and surroundings), beautiful [[hacienda|haciendas]] as well as lush natural scenery. The main destinations within the state are the capital city (receiving 70% of tourists), San Juan del Río (14%), Tequisquiapan (9.2%), Bernal and the Sierra Gorda Region. The solid growth of the sector is due to the mixture of business and leisure tourism, that helps maintain high occupation levels in the hotels. Queretaro is also home of the Cerillas since 2008. == Transportation == Querétaro is the crossroads of Mexico, since the [[highway]]s that connect Northeastern, Western and Central Mexico join here. [[Mexican Federal Highway 57|Federal Highway 57]] leaves Mexico City and reaches [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]] in the border with the United States, and is also called the [[Pan-American Highway]]. The municipalities located along its route are referred to as the "industrial corridor", and are the most developed ones in the state. Federal Highway 45 connects Querétaro with the state of Guanajuato. Due to its strategic importance, Federal roads in the state receive a high level of investment. The Comisión Estatal de Caminos (CEC) is in charge of the roads that fall under state jurisdiction. These roads connect the different municipalities with each other, with Federal roads and with the capital city. The small size of the state has enabled it to keep one of the best road systems in the country. [[Rail transport|Railroads]] connect municipalities along the industrial corridor with Mexico City, Laredo and the state of Guanajuato. However, these are used only for freight. There have been various attempts to connect Santiago de Querétaro to Mexico City with a [[High-speed rail|high speed train]]. Currently, there are two airports in the state, [[Querétaro International Airport]] {{km to mi|22.5}} from the state capital opened on [[December 10]], [[2004]] {{Airport codes|QRO|MMQT}}. The second is a small airfield in [[Jalpan de Serra]], at the moment it receives no commercial flights, that is used to connect the Sierra Gorda region to Santiago de Querétaro, mostly by State government aircraft. The Querétaro International Airport is served by six airlines (Aeromar, Continental, Alma de México, Viva Aerobus, Avolar, Delta) that link the state with six destinations (Houston, Mexico City, Atlanta, Monterrey, Tijuana, and Guadalajara), enabling connections to virtually any city in the world. Within ten years, it is expected that the airport will receive 800 thousand passengers per year. Private [[bus]]es provide intra-state connections, serving all of the municipalities. They also serve various cities nationwide. Within towns and cities, public transportation is offered only by private buses. == Government and Politics == In 2005, the government of Querétaro was recognized as having the lowest levels of corruption among all Mexican states by the [[non-governmental organization]] Transparencia Mexicana, part of [[Transparency International]]. Local government has three branches: [[Executive (government)|executive]], [[Legislature|legislative]] and [[Judiciary|judicial]]. The [[governor]], elected for a six-year term, heads the executive branch. ===Politics=== Querétaro has had a paradoxical political attitude. It has always been a pretty conservative state, though major liberal events have taken place in the city. For instance, the independence struggle against Spain was planned here, but Maximilian of Habsburg chose the city as its last stronghold since he was popular here. Following the Revolution, the [[Institutional Revolutionary Party]] (PRI), which was founded in the city of Querétaro, dominated the local political scene. In 1997, the state governorship was won by the centre-right [[National Action Party (Mexico)|National Action Party]] (PAN), which has governed ever since. Querétaro is now considered a stronghold for this party. In the [[Querétaro state election, 2006|2006 State elections]], PAN scored one of its best results ever (50.34% percent of total votes), taking 10 municipalities. These elections marked the first time PAN obtained victories in the Sierra Gorda region, which used to be a stronghold for PRI, and as well it recovered San Juan del Río. The PRI-[[Ecologist Green Party of Mexico]] (PVEM) alliance remained the second force in the state (28.42%), with 5 municipalities and [[Party of the Democratic Revolution]] (PRD) (13.27% up from 6.74% in 2003) retained Tequisquiapan and won Arroyo Seco for the first time. Surprisingly, [[Convergence (Mexico)|Convergencia]] won Tolimán. As for the [[Chamber of Deputies of Mexico|Chamber of Deputies]], PAN won 12 out of 15 districts, while PRI only obtained 3. For the [[Mexican general election, 2006|Federal elections]], for the first time PAN won all of the four districts, being the first time its candidate for the Sierra Gorda region succeeded. Currently there are 8 deputies from the State, even though there are only 4 districts, since 4 additional candidates were nominated by party lists. * '''PAN''': Colón, Corregidora, El Marqués, Huimilpan, Jalpan, Landa, Pedro Escobedo, Pinal de Amoles, Querétaro, San Juan del Río. * '''PRI''': Amealco, Cadereyta, Ezequiel Montes, Peñamiller, San Joaquín. * '''PRD''': Arroyo Seco, Tequisquiapan. * '''Convergencia''': Tolimán. [[Image:2003 Elecciones.PNG|thumb|left|2003 State Elections Results]] In the 2003 State elections, [[Francisco Garrido Patrón]] was elected governor in 2003 with 238,348 votes (or 45.7%), beating his PRI rival [[Fernando Ortíz Arana]] who obtained 41.98% of the vote, and becoming the second PAN governor. PRI, however, won 12 municipalities including San Juan del Río, which was considered a PAN stronghold. PAN won 5 municipalities, including the three forming the Metropolitan Area of Querétaro. This election marked the first time leftist [[Partido de la Revolución Democrática|PRD]] won a municipality, Tequisquiapan. * '''PRI''': Amealco, Arroyo Seco, Colón, Huimilpan, Jalpan, Landa, Pedro Escobedo, Peñamiller, Pinal de Amoles, San Joaquín, San Juan del Río, Tolimán. * '''PAN''': Cadereyta, Corregidora, Ezequiel Montes, El Marqués, Querétaro. * '''PRD''': Tequisquiapan. The [[Senate of Mexico|state's senators]] are [[Guillermo Tamborrel Suárez]] and [[Eduardo Nava Bolaños]] from the PAN. ===Constituencies=== The State Legislature<ref>[http://www.legislaturaqro.gob.mx State Legislature]</ref> has 25 seats, 15 elected from constituencies and 10 allocated according to party votes. The State has four federal and 15 local districts. Federal Districts I and II correspond to the city of Santiago de Querétaro while District III is formed by San Juan del Río and southern municipalities, and District IV includes Cadereyta, the Semidesierto and the Sierra Gorda regions. [[Image:Distritos de Queretaro.PNG|thumb|right|15 local electoral districts]] Local districts: * I - VI represent the city of Querétaro, * VII Corregidora, * VIII Amealco and Huimilpan, * IX - X San Juan del Río, * XI Pedro Escobedo and Tequisquiapan, * XII El Marqués, * XIII Colón, Tolimán and Peñamiller, * XIV Cadereyta and Ezequiel Montes, and * XV comprises Arroyo Seco, Jalpan, Landa, Pinal de Amoles and San Joaquín. ==See also== *[[Governor of Querétaro]] ==External links== *[http://www.queretaro.travel/ Minister of Tourism of the State of Queretaro official website] (in Spanish and English) *[http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaco/collections/72157602220535817/ Pictures of Queretaro] *[http://www.queretaro.travel/boletin/ Monthly touristic official newsletter] (in Spanish) *[http://www.prodigyweb.net.mx/dcwright/vida.htm La vida cotidiana en Querétaro durante la época Barroca] (in Spanish - Daily life in Queretaro during the Baroque) *[http://www.qro.com.mx/ QRO.com.mx Website for Queretaro's citizens] (still in Spanish) *[http://www.ayohui.com Directory of the State of Queretaro] (in Spanish) *[http://www.travelqueretaro.com/ Non-official Guide of Queretaro ] *[http://www.queretarolanguageschool.com/ Queretaro Language School] - Spanish classes in Quéretaro, México {{-}} {{States of Mexico}} {{Municipalities of Querétaro}} == References == {{reflist}} {{coord|20|50|16|N|99|51|05|W|display=title|type:adm1st}} [[Category:States of Mexico]] [[Category:Querétaro| ]] [[af:Querétaro]] [[ar:ولاية كويريتارو]] [[bg:Керетаро]] [[ca:Querétaro]] [[da:Querétaro]] [[de:Querétaro (Bundesstaat)]] [[et:Querétaro]] [[es:Estado de Querétaro]] [[eo:Querétaro]] [[eu:Queretaro Arteaga]] [[fr:Querétaro Arteaga]] [[gl:Querétaro]] [[ko:케레타로 주]] [[id:Querétaro]] [[it:Querétaro de Arteaga]] [[kw:Querétaro]] [[la:Queretarum]] [[lt:Keretaras]] [[mr:क्वेरेतारो]] [[nah:Chīchīmēcalco]] [[nl:Querétaro de Arteaga]] [[ja:ケレタロ州]] [[no:Querétaro (delstat)]] [[pms:Querétaro de Arteaga]] [[pl:Querétaro]] [[pt:Querétaro (estado)]] [[rm:Queretaro]] [[ru:Керетаро]] [[simple:Querétaro]] [[sr:Керетаро (држава)]] [[fi:Querétaro]] [[sv:Querétaro Arteaga]] [[tl:Querétaro]] [[uk:Керетаро]] [[zh:克雷塔羅州]]