The city of Aguascalientes , in the state of Aguascalientes,
Mexico, was chosen as the site of the Institute for various reasons. Apart
from the fact that the Fundamental Baptist World-Wide Mission has works in
the area, the city is only one day from the border by car. Situated at 6,130
feet, with a population of over 1,000,000, the city is so named because of thermal
springs nearby. The many villages and towns round the city of Aguascalientes
encourages pioneer training in established works. Even though the life and
culture in Aguascalientes is a little different from that of other Spanish-speaking
countries, the student will find that he can learn much of Latin American life and
culture. Ninety-five percent of the language is the same in all Spanish-speaking
countries.
The state of Aguascalientes
lies between 1,800 m (5,905 ft) and 1,987 m (6,519 ft) above sea level. It is located
on the western side of the Mexican highlands between 21º 23' and the 22º 28' north latitude and 101º 53' and 102º 50'
west longitude.
The State of Aguascalientes is bounded on the north, east, and west by the State
of Zacatecas and on the south by the State of Jalisco.
The State of Aguascalientes
is one of the smallest states in Mexico, having an area of 5,589 square km. (2,157
sq mi.), which represents only 0.28% of Mexico’s
territory and a population of approximately 944,285 inhabitants.
Aguascalientes City, capital city of the State of Aguascalientes, is located
537 km northwest of Mexico City on Federal Highway 57 / 45 in Mexico.
The Colonial City of Aguascalientes is situated in the central part of Mexico
and is rich in colonial period architecture. Some of the most renowned structures
are:
The Government Palace with its Neoclassical
facade of red
tezontle stone
The Municipal Palace built out of
pink quarry
El Jardin de los Palacios (Palace Gardens), where you can
admire a fountain built to honor the artist Jesus F. Contreras. Contreras is the
creator of two relief sculptures decorating the square. These sculptures represent: "Camaxtli",
the God of Hunting and
"Centeotl", the God of Abundance
La Plaza Patria, where you can view an iron tower built in 1808
Other interesting sites well worth visiting are:
The splendid baroque style Cathedral
The Religious Pinacotheca
The Morelos Theater, where the National Poetry Prize is presented during the
San Marcos Fair
La Casa de Cultura, used as forum for the National Plastic Arts Contest (also
celebrated during the San Marcos Fair)
The Museum of Aguascalientes, built out of pink quarry
The Jose Guadalupe Posada Museum, located in the District of Triana. Here you
can find examples of Posada's prints
The District of San Marcos deserves special mention. It is where the renown San
Marcos Fair is celebrated annually. The fair takes place on a plaza surrounded by
Neoclassical balustrades and a beautiful central fountain built out of pink quarry.
The fesitival includes:
Cockfights in the largest "Palenque" (arena) in Latin America
An elegant casino, unique in Mexico
A traditional costume contest
Farm, cattle, and industrial exhibitions
The world famous Cervantine Festival. The most important day of
the fair is April 25th, "Dia de San Marcos" (St. Marcos Day)
In San Marcos you can also visit the Crafts House and the Museo del Deshilado (Museum
of Frayed-Thread Handiwork). Also celebrated in this city is a Grape Fair as well
as the Pilgrimage of the Assumption on August 15th, an event which includes a parade,
dances, and other recreational activities.
It is the abundance of hot springs in this
state that give it its name: Aguascalientes (Hot Waters). You can enjoy springs at
the Sport Center and Spa "Ojo Caliente". Other
attractions include Plaza del Vestir (clothing mall), where embroidered and frayed-thread
cotton clothing articles can be found. Other local crafts are leatherwork, artistic
ironwork, and religious artifacts.
Taste the delicious traditional cuisine, which offers dishes such as birria (steamed
lamb casserole), Aguascalientes style mole, chicken in wine sauce, pickled hides,
and cabrito (roasted goat).
