| Michoacán
de Ocampo (From michamacuan, Nahuatl for "the place of the fishermen")
is one of the 31 constituent states of Mexico. It borders the states of
Colima and Jalisco to the west, Guanajuato and Querétaro to the
north, México to the east, Guerrero to the south-east, and the Pacific
Ocean to the south. Michoacán has an area of 59 864 km² (23
113.62 square miles). In 2003 the population was estimated at 4,047,500
people. Its state capital is the city of Morelia (previously known as Valladolid).
Michoacán
also contains the cities of Cherán (town), Apatzingán, Huetamo,
Zirandaro, San Lucas, Ciudad Hidalgo, Jacona, Jiquilpan, La Piedad, Lázaro
Cárdenas, Los Reyes, Paracho, Pátzcuaro, Aquila, El Triunfo,
Coalcoman, Puruándiro, Sahuayo, Uruapan, Zacapú, Zamora,
and Zitácuaro. The state's pre-Columbian sites include the ruins
of Tzintzuntzan, Ihautzio, and Tingambato.
The
area around Angangueo in northeast Michoacán is famous for the beautiful
monarch butterflies that spend the winter in the surrounding mountains. |
View
Larger Map
|
| The
migration of Michoacán inhabitants to the United States during the
late 20th and early 21st centuries has been extensive. The migration is
primarily economically driven, with most migrants providing financial support
to their families in Mexico by sending money back home.
On
September 19, 1985, an earthquake measuring approximately 8.0 on the Richter
scale struck Michoacán and inflicted severe damage on Mexico City.
Estimates of the number of dead range from 6,500 to 30,000. (See Great
Mexican Earthquake.)
On
August 11, 2006, an earthquake measuring approximately 5.9 on the Richter
scale struck the southeastern part of the state. It was felt in Mexico
City also, but no casualties or damages occurred.
Read
more on Wikipedia |
