9781422286944

Mexican Facts and Figures

area’s silver mines have brought prosperity and shaped the course of its history. By the 1800s, the state supplied most of the silver that was minted into the country’s coins. The capital city of Guanajuato became the commercial and banking center of this entire thriving region. However, the city’s wealth did little good for the ordinary people who lived there, and in the 19th century, Guanajuato was active in the Mexican fight for independence. Today, however, Guanajuato is a cultural center, sponsoring performances of drama, classical music, and ballet. Diego Rivera, the famous muralist, was born in Guanajuato, and his early works were deeply influenced by his birthplace. Querétaro As you leave Guanajuato by crossing its eastern border, you will find yourself in Querétaro, another central state that nestles in El Bajío’s fertile bowl. This small state was important in Mexican history, for here the country’s current constitution was drafted. Here too the emperor Maximilian was put to death by

48

A statue of a Spanish missionary is silhouetted against the evening sky in Querétaro City. The blending of Spanish and native cultures produced the mestizo culture that is dominant in Mexico today.