About Zapopan
Zapopan Information
Quick Facts
- Sister City Anniversary: October 2008
- Country: Mexico
- State: Jalisco
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History
The word Zapopan comes from Tzapotl defined as the sapodilla or marmalade tree, and its sweet taste eatable fruit known as zapote. Zapotal is a piece of land where numerous sapodilla trees are located. Therefore, Zapopan means: in the Zapotal” or “place of sapodilla fruit.”
Located in the central region of the State of Jalisco, The Municipality of Zapopan is 900 square kilometers. There is a little more than 1 million inhabitants, whose average age is 19 yrs old. Zapopan has the highest growth rate and covers the largest area of the four municipalities that form Guadalajara's metropolitan area.
Economic Development
Recently, Zapopan has been dubbed the “Silicon Valley of Mexico,” due to the number of international firms and foreign direct investment (FDI) in high technology production. Industrial activity has evolved, in part, due to the efficient urban infrastructure, communications, transport, skilled labor, and cutting edge technology.
Zapopan is home to some of the best higher education institutions in the state, the, University of Guadalajara, the University de Autonoma, the Institute of Tecnologico, and the University of Pan-America, as well as eight other universities and technological colleges.
Tradition and Tourism
Zapopan is infused with a sense of traditional Mexico and the modern Mexico. The city has a rich cultural heritage including a variety of performing and visual artists, troupes, and venues. Their cultural amenities range from primitive, to folk, to cosmopolitan. Their galleries include works from indigenous cultures to modern artists. Known as the home of the Mariachi's, other cultural institutions feature works from folk traditions, Ballet Folklorico, and Charriadas.
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