II CONFERENCE OF THE PROGRAMME ON ECOSYSTEM CHANGE AND SOCIETY
OAXACA
Mexico is one of the Megadiverse Countries on the planet. This diversity refers not only to their ecosystems, but also to its cultural tradition. Oaxaca is an important sign of the great variety of cultures, traditions, flavours, colours and landscapes that characterise the country. Oaxaca is the capital city of the state bearing the same name. It is located at 1500 masl, with a temperate climate throughout the year and is considered one of the jewels of the historic, cultural and natural heritage of Mexico.
OAXACA CITY
Since immemorial times, the City of Oaxaca concentrates a cultural, architectural, historical and gastronomic richness without paramount in Mexico. Experiencing the city of Oaxaca is knowing a corner of Mexico that undoubtedly reflects the cultural mixture of the country.
Historic Center
A tour of the historic centre is a pleasant surprise. There is a wide variety of architectural and historic places that surprises the visitor; for example, the former Convent of Santo Domingo, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Soledad, the Cathedral, the Ethnobotanical Garden and the Macedonio Alcalá pedestrian street. Walking down the streets incites the visitor to know a bit more about the history of Mexico.
20 de Noviembre Market
The markets of Oaxaca are famous for its gastronomic richness. Considered by many as one of the most picturesque and important of the country, the market 20 de Noviembre concentrates the gastronomic variety, crafts and cultural richness of all regions of the state. In the market it is possible to check the huge variety of traditional local dishes, such as the delicious tlayudas (large tortillas, prepared with a base of cheese and beans and savory food to taste), the Chapulines (grasshoppers), tamales and the national dish, the mole (a mixture of chili peppers, spices and chocolate that gives bags of flavour to chicken and meat dishes).
Path to mezcal
Oaxaca is famous for mezcal, a traditional drink that is obtained through the distillation of the maguey. To know the diversity of mezcales, and the culture and traditions that surround this drink, it is possible to make a tour in the path of the Mezcal. The path includes the towns of Santa Maria del Tule, San Jerónimo Tlacochahuaya, Teotitlán del Valle, Tlacolula de Matamoros, San Pablo Villa de Mitla Magical Town or Santiago Matatlan.
NEAR OAXACA CITY
Monte Alban
The archaeological area of Monte Alban was declared by UNESCO in conjunction with the historical centre of the city of Oaxaca as Cultural Heritage of Humanity on 11 December 1987. It is only 8 kilometres to the west of the city of Oaxaca de Juarez.
Mitla
Mitla was a very important ceremonial centre of the Zapoteca culture, the word Mitla or Mictlán has a Nahuatl origin meaning "place of the Dead" or "underworld". It is located to the east of the city of Oaxaca, about 44 kilometres.
Hierve el agua
Hierve el Agua is an area located 70 km from the capital, where there are beautiful natural wells and waterfalls.
El árbol del Tule
Is a tree with an approximate 2000 years of age; has a weight close to the 550 tonnes, a volume of 705 m3 and a diameter of 14.05 meters. It is located to 12 km of the city of Oaxaca, in Santa Maria del Tule.
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