View source for Aguascalientes

{{short description|State of Mexico}}
{{About|a state of Mexico|the city|Aguascalientes (city)|other uses|Agua Caliente (disambiguation){{!}}Agua Caliente}}
{{expand Spanish|date=January 2023|topic=geo}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Aguascalientes
| official_name      = {{raise|0.2em|Free and Sovereign State of Aguascalientes}}<br />{{nobold|''Estado Libre y Soberano de Aguascalientes'' {{small|([[Mexican Spanish|Spanish]])}}}}
| settlement_type    = [[States of Mexico|State]]
| image_flag         = <!--As per the consensus reached at [[Wikipedia talk:WikiProject Mexico]] (oldid: 1007177146), this article should not use a flag because none is officially recognized by the government of the state-->
| flag_size          = 
| flag_alt           = 
| image_shield       = Coat of arms of Aguascalientes.svg
| shield_size        = 80px
| shield_link        = Coat of arms of Aguascalientes
| nickname           = 
| motto              = {{Clear}}{{lang|la|Bona Terra, Bona Gens, Aqua Clara, Clarum Caelum}}{{Clear}}{{small|("Good Earth, Good People, Clear Water, Clear Sky")}}{{force singular}}
| anthem             = [[Himno de Aguascalientes]]<br />{{center|{{small|"Anthem of Aguascalientes"}}[[File:Himno en Honor de Aguascalientes.ogg]]}}
| image_map          = Aguascalientes in Mexico (zoom).svg
| map_caption        = State of Aguascalientes within Mexico
| coordinates        = {{coord|22|03|N|102|18|W|region:MX-AGU_type:adm1st|display=inline,title}}
| coor_pinpoint      = 
| coordinates_footnotes = 
| subdivision_type   = [[Country]]
| subdivision_name   = [[Mexico]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Capital city|Capital]]<br>{{nobold|and [[List of cities in Mexico|largest city]]}}
| subdivision_name1  = [[Aguascalientes (city)|Aguascalientes]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[Municipalities of Mexico|Municipalities]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Municipalities of Aguascalientes|11]]
| established_title  = [[Sovereign state|Admission]]
| established_date   = February 5, 1857<ref>{{cite news |title=Gobierno del Estado de Yucatán |url=http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/servicios/c_civico/fechas.jsp?mes=2 |language=es |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100411140738/http://www.yucatan.gob.mx/servicios/c_civico/fechas.jsp?mes=2 |archive-date=2010-04-11}}</ref>
| established_title2 = [[Territorial evolution of Mexico|Order]]
| established_date2  = [[Territorial evolution of Mexico|24th]]
| founder            = 
| government_footnotes = 
| leader_party       = 
| leader_title       = [[Governor of Aguascalientes|Governor]]
| leader_name        = [[File:PAN Party (Mexico).svg|link=National Action Party (Mexico)|23px]] [[María Teresa Jiménez Esquivel]]
| leader_title1      = [[Senate of Mexico|Senators]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Senadores por Aguascalientes LXI Legislatura |language=es |url=http://www.senado.gob.mx/index.php?ver=int&mn=4&sm=4&id=2 |publisher=Senado de la Republica |access-date=October 20, 2010 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224193312/http://www.senado.gob.mx/index.php?ver=int&mn=4&sm=4&id=2%20 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| leader_name1       = {{ubl|[[File:PT Party (Mexico).svg|link=Labor Party (Mexico)|23px]] [[Martha Márquez Alvarado]]|[[File:PAN Party (Mexico).svg|link=National Action Party (Mexico)|23px]] [[Juan Antonio Martín del Campo]]|[[File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg|link=Morena (political party)|23px]] [[Daniel Gutiérrez Castorena]]}}
| leader_title2      = [[Chamber of Deputies of Mexico|Deputies]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Listado de Diputados por Grupo Parlamentario del Estado de Aguascalientes |language=es |url=http://sitl.diputados.gob.mx/LXI_leg/listado_diputados_gpnp.php?tipot=Edo&edot=32 |publisher=Camara de Diputados |access-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-date=December 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224193306/http://sitl.diputados.gob.mx/LXI_leg/listado_diputados_gpnp.php?tipot=Edo&edot=32%20 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| leader_name2       = {{Collapsible list
 |title       = [[LXV Legislature of the Mexican Congress#Chamber of Deputies 2|Federal Deputies]]
 |frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
 |title_style = <!-- (optional) -->
 |bullets     = yes
 |1 = {{nowrap|[[File:PAN Party (Mexico).svg|link=National Action Party (Mexico)|23px]] [[Noel Mata Atilano]] ([[I Federal Electoral District of Aguascalientes|1st]])}}
 |2 = {{nowrap|[[File:PAN Party (Mexico).svg|link=National Action Party (Mexico)|23px]] [[Mónica Becerra Moreno]] ([[II Federal Electoral District of Aguascalientes|2nd]])}}
 |3 = {{nowrap|[[File:PAN Party (Mexico).svg|link=National Action Party (Mexico)|23px]] [[Paulo Gonzalo Martínez López]] ([[III Federal Electoral District of Aguascalientes|3rd]])}}
}}
| unit_pref          = Metric<!-- or US or UK -->
| area_footnotes     = <ref>{{cite web |title=Superficie |language=es |url=http://cuentame.inegi.gob.mx/monografias/informacion/ags/default.aspx?tema=me&e=01 |publisher=Cuentame INEGI |access-date=February 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100906042840/http://cuentame.inegi.gob.mx/monografias/informacion/ags/default.aspx?tema=me&e=01 |archive-date=September 6, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 5617.80
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_note          = [[List of Mexican states by area|Ranked 29th]]
| elevation_m        = 
| elevation_max_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Relieve |language=es |url=http://cuentame.inegi.gob.mx/monografias/informacion/ags/territorio/relieve.aspx?tema=me&e=01 |publisher=Cuentame INEGI |access-date=October 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723192608/http://cuentame.inegi.gob.mx/monografias/informacion/ags/territorio/relieve.aspx?tema=me&e=01 |archive-date=July 23, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>
| elevation_max_m    = 3050
| elevation_max_ft   = 
| elevation_min_m    = 
| elevation_min_ft   = 
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Encuesta Intercensal 2015 |language=es |url=http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/encuestas/hogares/especiales/ei2015/doc/eic_2015_presentacion.pdf |access-date=December 8, 2015 |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517093929/https://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/encuestas/hogares/especiales/ei2015/doc/eic_2015_presentacion.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_total   = 1,425,607
| population_as_of   = 2020
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_rank = [[List of Mexican states by population density|4th]]
| population_demonym = Hidrocálido (a)
| population_note    = 
| population_rank    = [[List of Mexican states by population|27th]]
| demographics_type2 = GDP
| demographics2_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.banamex.com/sitios/analisis-financiero/pdf/revistas//IRAE/IRAE2023.pdf|title=Indicadores Regionales de Actividad Económica 2023|author=Citibanamex|language=es|date=June 13, 2023|access-date=August 13, 2023}}</ref>
| demographics2_title1 = Total
| demographics2_info1 = MXN 356 billion<br />(US$17.7 billion) (2022)
| demographics2_title2 = Per capita
| demographics2_info2 = (US$12,028) (2022)
| timezone1          = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset1        = −6
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal codes in Mexico|Postal code]]
| postal_code        = 20
| area_code_type     = [[Area code]]
| area_code          = {{Collapsible list
|title       = [[Area codes in Mexico by code (400-499)|Area codes]]
|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
|title_style = <!-- (optional) -->
|list_style  = text-align:left;display:none;
 |1          = • 449
 |2          = • 465
 |3          = • 495
 }}
| iso_code           = MX-AGU
| blank_name_sec1    = [[Human Development Index|HDI]]
| blank_info_sec1    = {{increase}} 0.825 <span style="color:#090">very high</span> <small>[[List of Mexican states by HDI|Ranked 9th of 32]]</small>
| website            = {{URL|http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/|Official Web Site}}
| footnotes          = 
| image_skyline      = Catedral de Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes- Aguascalientes cathedral (20232942553).jpg
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = The [[Aguascalientes Cathedral]]
}}

'''Aguascalientes''',{{efn|{{IPA|es|ˌaɣwaskaˈljentes|-|Aguascalientes.ogg}}; {{lit|Hot Waters}}}} officially the '''Free and Sovereign State of Aguascalientes''',{{efn|{{langx|es|Estado Libre y Soberano de Aguascalientes}}}} is one of the 32 states which comprise the [[Political divisions of Mexico|federated entities]] of [[Mexico]]. At 22°N and with an average altitude of {{cvt|1950|m}} above sea level<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://en.www.inegi.org.mx/app/areasgeograficas/?ag=01 |title=México en Cifras |last=INEGI |date=2016-01-01 |website=en.www.inegi.org.mx |language=es |access-date=2020-01-06 |archive-date=December 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191207070831/http://en.www.inegi.org.mx/app/areasgeograficas/?ag=01 |url-status=live }}</ref> it is predominantly of [[semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Bhs and Bhk]]). The state is located in the northern part of the [[Bajío]] region, which is in the north-central part of the country, bordered by [[Zacatecas]] to the north, east and west, and by [[Jalisco]] to the south.

As of the 2020 census, Aguascalientes has a population of 1,425,607 inhabitants,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.lja.mx/2018/12/aguascalientes-cierre-2018-y-futuribles-2030-el-apunte/ |title=Aguascalientes: Cierre 2018 y futuribles 2030/ El Apunte |last=Nuño |first=Eugenio Herrera |date=2018-12-26 |website=LJA Aguascalientes |language=es-MX |access-date=2020-01-06 |archive-date=December 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231175004/http://www.lja.mx/2018/12/aguascalientes-cierre-2018-y-futuribles-2030-el-apunte/ |url-status=live }}</ref> most of whom live in its capital city, also named [[Aguascalientes (city)|Aguascalientes]]. Its name means "hot waters" and originated from the abundance of [[hot springs]] originally found in the area. The [[demonym]] for the state's inhabitants is ''hidrocálido'' or ''aguascalentense''.

Aguascalientes is one of the smallest states of Mexico, both by population or land, being the 27th most populated state and the 29th biggest state by area;<ref name=":0" /> nonetheless, it is the 4th state by population density,<ref name=":0" /> and its economic development in recent years have located it as the 7th state by Human Development Index<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/MEX/?interpolation=0&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0 |title=Sub-national HDI – Subnational HDI – Global Data Lab |website=globaldatalab.org |access-date=2020-01-06 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725005708/https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/shdi/MEX/?interpolation=0&extrapolation=0&nearest_real=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the 8th with highest GDP per capita.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://mexicocomovamos.mx/encifrascomovamos.pdf |title=En cifras, ¿cómo vamos? 2019 |language=es |publisher=México en Cifras |year=2019 |location=Mexico City |pages=41 |access-date=January 6, 2020 |archive-date=April 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402010527/https://mexicocomovamos.mx/encifrascomovamos.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Aguascalientes was historically known for its former railroad and textile industry, as well as [[Winemaking|wine making]], an industry that remains today. During the 2010s Aguascalientes became the fastest-growing state in the country for the whole decade.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/estados/Aguascalientes-con-el-mayor-crecimiento-economico-del-pais-20191209-0122.html |title=Aguascalientes, con el mayor crecimiento económico del país |language=es |last=Espinosa |first=Camila Ayala |website=El Economista |date=10 December 2019 |access-date=2020-01-06 |archive-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230204402/https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/estados/Aguascalientes-con-el-mayor-crecimiento-economico-del-pais-20191209-0122.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Aguascalientes is also well known for its [[Feria Nacional de San Marcos|San Marcos Fair (Feria Nacional de San Marcos)]], the largest fair in Mexico and one of the largest in Latin America.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/one-of-worlds-10-largest-fairs/ |title=Aguascalientes prepares for one of world's 10 largest fairs |date=2019-04-17 |website=Mexico News Daily |access-date=2020-01-06 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725004029/https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/one-of-worlds-10-largest-fairs/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://donacholita.com.au/san-marcos-fair-aguascalientes/ |title=The San Marcos Fair in Aguascalientes – Doña Cholita Tortilleria |access-date=2020-01-06 |archive-date=March 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311222255/https://donacholita.com.au/san-marcos-fair-aguascalientes/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Pinturas rupestres en El Ocote, Aguascalientes 01.jpg|left|thumb|Rock art at the [[El Ocote (Aguascalientes)|El Ocote]] archeological site.]][[Pre-Columbian]] era arrowheads, potshards, and rock paintings in the caverns of the Sierra del Laurel and near the present village of Las Negritas testify to the presence of humans in this territory for more than 20,000 years.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}   Later in the colonial times, [[Pedro Almíndez Chirino]] was the first [[Spaniard]] who entered the territory, perhaps by the end of 1530 or the beginning of 1531, following the instructions given by [[Nuño de Guzmán]].{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

Before the arrival of the [[Conquistadores|Spaniards]], the territory of what is now the State of Aguascalientes was inhabited by [[Chichimecas]], who made the territory difficult to access.   In fact, the total occupation of the lands of El Bajío was a task that would take about two centuries. With respect to this, Viceroy [[Luís de Velasco]] offered municipal benefits to those who established settlements to confront the Chichimeca. And for his part, Viceroy [[Gaston de Peralta|Gastón de Peralta]] decided to confront them directly, which did not end with good results.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023}}

It was in order to be in the territory that is presently the state inhabited by Chichimecas, the so-called Guachichiles, that the conquistadors built several forts or presidios.[[File:Ruinas, La Quemada - panoramio (4).jpg|left|thumb|Prehispanic city of [[La Quemada]], Zacatecas, near Aguascalientes.]]

This was a system devised by [[Martín Enríquez de Almanza]] following the strategy that had been developing in Spain throughout the Reconquista period. Therefore, in order to protect the Camino de la Plata,<ref>La Guerra Chichimeca, POWELL, PHILIP W., Fondo de la Cultura Económica</ref> which stretched between [[Zacatecas]] and [[Mexico City]], three presidios [garrisoned fortifications] founded by the Indian fighter Juan Domínguez, were to be created, which were: the presidio at Las Bocas, later called Las Bocas de Gallardo, situated on the border of Aguascalientes, in what was the jurisdiction of the mayor of [[Teocaltiche]], presently the border of Aguascalientes and Zacatecas; the presidio at Palmillas, which was located near what is now Tepezalá; and the Ciénega Grande presidio, established around 1570. The latter was located on what are now Moctezuma and Victoria Streets, although some historians place it on the Calle 5 de Mayo (once the Camino Real) at Moctezuma, just in front of the Plaza de Armas. This was a fortress whose purpose was the protection of the Valle de los Romero and the road to Zacatecas, entering this way to secure the passage of convoys loaded with [[silver]] and other metals.
[[File:Templo de Nuestra Señora de Belén en Real de Asientos.jpg|thumb|[[Pueblos Mágicos|Pueblo mágico]] of [[Asientos|Real de Asientos]], founded as a mining town in northern Aguascalientes by conquistador Diego de Ibarra in 1548.|left]]

The founding of Aguascalientes as a town came from the order that [[King Felipe II]] gave the judge of the court of Nueva Galicia, Don [[Geronimo de Orozco|Gerónimo de Orozco]], in which he stated that he should look for a rich man to settle in the territory with the purpose of expelling the Chichimecas and of assuring safe passage. Gerónimo de Orozco, following that order, looked for someone who would accept the king's order and found a man named [[Juan de Montoro]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bibliotecadigital.ilce.edu.mx/sites/estados/libros/aguas/html/sec_8.html |title=La fundación de Aguascalientes |access-date=2016-06-17 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018023641/http://bibliotecadigital.ilce.edu.mx/sites/estados/libros/aguas/html/sec_8.html |archive-date=October 18, 2007}}</ref> in the city of [[Lagos de Moreno|Santa María de los Lagos]]. He accepted the assignment and, accompanied by eleven other people, headed to the territory and thus founded the town of Aguas Calientes on October 22, 1575.   It has been noted that it was called San Marcos originally, changing its name on August 18, 1611, to the Villa of Our Lady of the Assumption of Aguas Calientes. And finally, from June 2, 1875, it was called the Villa of Our Lady of the Assumption of Aguas Calientes; later changing to the city of Aguascalientes, which remains its name today.<ref>Evolución Constitucional del Estado de Aguascalientes, José Alfredo Muñoz Delgado, Ed. Piqueta.</ref>

In the act of its establishment, the Villa de San Marcos (Aguascalientes) was awarded the highest mayoral jurisdiction under the Kingdom of [[Nueva Galicia|New Galicia]].   As of December 4, 1786, on the occasion of the issuance of the "Ordinance of Mayors", it became a quartermaster sub-delegation.

On April 24, 1789, by order of the Superior Board of Royal Property, the sub-delegation of Aguascalientes became a dependency of [[Zacatecas]].

In the [[Mexican War of Independence]], in the territory which is today the state of Aguascalientes, the fires of independence were stoked by illustrious and courageous men such as [[Valentin Gómez Farías]], [[Rafael Iriarte]], Rafael Vázquez, and Pedro Parga.[[File:Mapa de Mexico 1865.PNG|left|thumb|200x200px|Aguascalientes at its maximum territorial extent in 1865, under the government of [[Maximilian I of Mexico|Maximilian I of Habsburg]]. The territory included what is known as [[Los Altos de Jalisco]].]]Confusion has arisen regarding the exact date when Aguascalientes formally separated from the territory of Zacatecas.  By virtue of having, de facto, defeated the liberal government of Zacatecas by rising against the central government, president [[Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna|Antonio López de Santa Anna]] passed through Aguascalientes, where he was well received by the people who had wanted to separate from Zacatecas for some time. Taking advantage of the independent souls of the Aguascalentenses, and by way of punishing Zacatecas for supporting the Revolution against them, by Federal [[Decree]] of General [[Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna|López de Santa Anna]] dated May 23, 1835, in the third article; ordered that Aguascalientes to be separated from [[Zacatecas]] territory, without granting the territory any specific category, reinstating the appointment of the political boss, [[Pedro Garcia Rojas]].   With respect to this, it must be mentioned that said order was not made official as it did not meet the legal requirements to take effect, since it was necessary that two thirds of each house, both [[Senator]]s and [[Representative democracy|Representatives]], approved the order; furthermore it would be required that two thirds of the [[legislature]]s of the states also approved it. The second requirement not being completed, the [[constitution]]al congress convened again to develop the centralized constitution that would be known later as the [[Seven Laws]].   The constitution did not acknowledge Aguascalientes in the rank of [[Ministry (government department)|department]], but it saw fit to eliminate the [[state (polity)|states]], together with the federal regime, replacing the states with departments, and because of this it continued to belong to Zacatecas.   What can be said, since in the local constitution of Zacatecas of 1825, Aguascalientes was contemplated as a member of said state.
[[File:Pancho Villa, el presidente provisional Eulalio Gutiérrez y Emiliano Zapata.jpg|thumb|Pancho Villa, Eulalio Gutiérrez y Emiliano Zapata after the [[Convention of Aguascalientes|Revolutionary Convention of Aguascalientes]], 1914.]]
It was general José Mariano Salas who, on August 5, 1846, announced the reestablishment of [[federalism]], convening a [[constitutional congress]] that declared current the [[1824 Constitution of Mexico|constitution of 1824]], but still didn't consider Aguascalientes as a state. Subsequently, on May 18, 1847, amendments were approved to the Constitution of 1824, but neither granted to Aguascalientes the status of a state.   That brought about a war between Aguascalientes and Zacatecas, and as a consequence Zacatecas would strengthen the partitions, now municipalities, of Cavillo and Rincón de Romos.   In July 1848, Aguascalientes accepted the peaceful annexation to Zacatecas; but continued making efforts to separate through Miguel García Rojas.   It was not until December 10, 1853, that López de Santa Anna, using his extraordinary powers, issued a decree declaring Aguascalientes a department, based on the decrees of December 30, 1836, and June 30, 1838, without ever referring to the one from March 23, 1835. Finally, in the project that would be the [[Constitution of 1857]], that was presented on June 16, 1856, Aguascalientes was included as a state in Article 43; it was passed unanimously by the 79 deputies present, ensuring the establishment of the state of Aguascalientes on December 10, 1856. On September 16, 1857, on the strength of said constitution, Lic. [[Jesús Terán Peredo]] reclaimed his post as constitutional governor of the state.

In the independent state, hidrocálidos (people of Aguascalientes) Jesús R. Macías, Manuel Rangel, Augustín Orona, José María Arellano and many other anonymous heroes distinguished themselves in the [[War of Reform]].

Silvestre Dorador, Román Morales, Pedro Vital, Alfonso Guerrero Aguilera and Alberto Fuentes Dávila were forerunners of the Revolution. The explosion of the Maderist movement embraced the cause in the company of some other compatriots, and the rebel action of the town and the region stayed formalized.

==Geography==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2021}}
[[File:Atardecer con el Cerro del muerto desde la UAA 02.jpg|thumb|Local mountain range as seen from Aguascalientes.]]
[[File:Edificio del Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática.JPG|thumb|Headquarters of INEGI, the [[National Institute of Statistics and Geography|National Institute for Statistics and Geography]].]]
The state is located about {{cvt|480|km|mi}} from [[Mexico City]] in the macroregion of El Bajío, specifically the Bajío Occidental (western Bajío).

It covers {{cvt|5471|km2|sqmi|sp=us}}, or 0.3% of the area of the country, and has a little more than one million inhabitants. Most of its inhabitants live in the densely populated metropolitan area of its capital city.

The state as it is now was created on October 27, 1857, when it was separated from [[Zacatecas]] after the tale says that the wife of the governor of the state promised to give a kiss to the President of the time, in exchange for the separation of Aguascalientes from Zacatecas, which explains the shape of a kiss the state has.{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} It bears the name Aguascalientes taken from its largest city and capital also called Aguascalientes.

===Climate===
The state mostly has a [[semi-arid climate]], with an exception in the northwestern part of the state with the [[Sierra Fría]] mountain range having a temperate highland climate.
It also brings large amounts of rain that eventually flows into one of the states reservoir.<ref name = INEGIclima>{{cite web |url=http://www.cuentame.inegi.org.mx/monografias/informacion/ags/territorio/clima.aspx?tema=me&e=01 |language=es |title=Clima |work=Información por entidad |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía |access-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317031147/http://cuentame.inegi.org.mx/monografias/informacion/ags/territorio/clima.aspx?tema=me&e=01 |url-status=live }}</ref> Mean annual temperature of the state is around {{cvt|17|to|18|C|1}} in which May and June are the hottest months with mean temperatures between {{cvt|22|and|23|C|1}}.<ref name=INEGIclima/><ref name = gobclima>{{cite web |url=http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/estado/Clima.aspx |language=es |title=Clima |publisher=Gobierno del estado de Aguascalientes |access-date=February 1, 2016 |archive-date=February 19, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219142541/http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/estado/Clima.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> In these months, temperatures can exceed {{cvt|30|C|1}}.<ref name=INEGIclima/> January is the coldest month, averaging {{cvt|13|to|14|C|1}} with temperatures dropping down to {{cvt|4|C|1}}.<ref name=INEGIclima/><ref name=gobclima/> Frosts frequently occur from November to February. Mean rainfall is low, averaging {{cvt|526|mm|in}} and is mostly concentrated in summer with winters being dry.<ref name=INEGIclima/>

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Aguascalientes|Municipalities of Aguascalientes}}
{{Largest cities
| country = Aguascalientes
| stat_ref = Source:<ref name=AGUASCALIENTESINEGI>{{cite web |url=https://inegi.org.mx/contenidos/programas/ccpv/2020/tabulados/cpv2020_b_ags_01_poblacion.xlsx|title=Censo Aguascalientes 2020}}</ref>
| list_by_pop =
| div_name = 
| div_link = Municipalities of Aguascalientes{{!}}Municipality
| city_1 = Aguascalientes (city){{!}}Aguascalientes| div_1 =Aguascalientes Municipality{{!}} Aguascalientes| pop_1 = 934,424| city_2 =Jesús María, Aguascalientes{{!}}Jesús María| div_2 =Jesús María Municipality{{!}} Jesús María| pop_2 = 129,929| city_3 =Pabellón de Arteaga| div_3 =Pabellón de Arteaga Municipality{{!}} Pabellón de Arteaga| pop_3 = 32,035| city_4 = Rincón de Romos| div_4 = Rincón de Romos
| pop_4 =31,963| city_5 = Calvillo| div_5 = Calvillo Municipality {{!}} Calvillo| pop_5 =21,049
| city_6 = 	San Francisco de los Romo| div_6 = San Francisco de los Romo| pop_6 = 18,709
| city_7 = Jesús Gómez Portugal, Aguascalientes{{!}}Jesús Gómez Portugal| div_7 =Jesús María Municipality {{!}} Jesús María| pop_7 = 12,646
| city_8 = Fraccionamiento La Ribera| div_8 = San Francisco de los Romo| pop_8 = 12,162
| city_9 = Pocitos, Aguascalientes{{!}}Pocitos| div_9 = Aguascalientes Municipality {{!}} Aguascalientes| pop_9 = 8,494
| city_10 =	Ojocalientes| div_10 = Calvillo Municipality {{!}} Calvillo| pop_10 = 7,318
}}

{{Historical populations
|type =
|footnote = <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/encuestas/hogares/especiales/ei2015/doc/eic_2015_presentacion.pdf |title=Encuesta Intercensal 2015 |publisher=INEGI |access-date=2015-12-08 |archive-date=May 17, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200517093929/https://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/encuestas/hogares/especiales/ei2015/doc/eic_2015_presentacion.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>
|1895 | 104693
|1900 | 102416
|1910 | 120511
|1921 | 107581
|1930 | 132900
|1940 | 161693
|1950 | 226965
|1960 | 243363
|1970 | 338142
|1980 | 519439
|1990 | 719659
|1995 | 862720
|2000 | 944285
|2005 | 1065416
|2010 | 1184996
|2015 | 1312544 
}}

{{Bar box
|title=Religion in Aguascalientes (2010 census)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/ccpv/cpv2010/Default.aspx |title=Censo de Población y Vivienda 2010 |publisher=INEGI |access-date=2013-02-03 |archive-date=January 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130118024332/http://www.inegi.org.mx/est/contenidos/proyectos/ccpv/cpv2010/default.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>
|titlebar=#ddd
|float=right
|bars=
{{Bar percent|Roman Catholicism|blue|93.0}}
{{Bar percent|Other Christian|purple|4.4}}
{{Bar percent|Other Religion|red|0.0}}
{{Bar percent|[[Irreligion|No religion]]|green|1.8}}
{{Bar percent|Unspecified|orange|0.8}}
}}

==Government and politics==

===Government===
{{Main|Municipalities of Aguascalientes}}

'''Aguascalientes is subdivided into 11 ''[[municipio (Mexico)|municipio]]s'' ("[[Municipality|municipalities]]").'''

{| style="float: right;"
|-
|
|}

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-  style="text-align:center; background:#d8edff;"
![[INEGI]] code
!Municipality
!Municipal Seat
!Area (km<sup>2</sup>)
!Population (2020)
|-
| 001|| [[Aguascalientes Municipality|Aguascalientes]] ||[[Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes|Aguascalientes]]|| 1178.85 || 948,990
|-
| 002|| [[Asientos Municipality|Asientos]] || [[Asientos, Aguascalientes|Asientos]] || 547.22 || 51,536
|-
| 003|| [[Calvillo Municipality|Calvillo]] || [[Calvillo, Aguascalientes|Calvillo]] || 932.62 || 58,250
|-
| 004|| [[Cosío Municipality|Cosío]] || [[Cosío, Aguascalientes|Cosío]] || 129.21 || 17,000
|-
| 005|| [[Jesús María Municipality|Jesús María]] || [[Jesús María, Aguascalientes|Jesús María]] || 506.32 || 129,929
|-
| 006|| [[Pabellón de Arteaga Municipality|Pabellón de Arteaga]] || [[Pabellón de Arteaga]] || 199.72 || 47,646
|-
| 007|| [[Rincón de Romos Municipality|Rincón de Romos]] ||[[Rincón de Romos]] || 376.77 || 57,369
|-
| 008|| [[San José de Gracia Municipality|San José de Gracia]] || [[San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes|San José de Gracia]] || 866.08 || 9,552
|-
| 009|| [[Tepezalá Municipality|Tepezalá]] ||[[Tepezalá]] || 231.70 || 22,485
|-
| 010|| [[El Llano, Aguascalientes|El Llano]] || [[Palo Alto (Aguascalientes)|Palo Alto]] || 509.77 || 20,853
|-
| 011|| [[Municipality of San Francisco de los Romo|San Francisco de los Romo]]&nbsp;&nbsp;|| [[San Francisco de los Romo]]&nbsp;&nbsp; || 139.54 || 61,997
|}

==Economy and industry==
[[File:Viñedos Leal.jpg|left|thumb|Vineyards in Aguascalientes.]]
This state originated around the times of colonial Spanish influence. It is located in the middle of the country and is now beginning to make a name for itself as an industrial power within Mexico. The state was once a major silver miner and a major source of railroad transportation, the latter due to its strategic location, midway between the three most populous areas, namely [[Mexico City]], [[Guadalajara, Jalisco|Guadalajara]], and [[Monterrey]].

Today, Mexico's fast growing car industry is especially important in this state. There are  two [[Nissan]] factories in Aguascalientes which together produce more than half a million cars per year.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}  [[Infiniti]] may build a plant to make vehicles like the QX30.{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}

In the rural area, Aguascalientes was once the largest national producer of [[grapes]] and [[Mexico wine|wines]]. This tradition ceased gradually due to the Spanish Royalty's wishes that grape and wine production be limited to the mother country. Thanks to the influx of immigrants into Mexico, the wineries and vineyards remain and flourish. [[Guava]]s are also produced in the state, specifically in the municipality of Calvillo. This county is one of the richest counties in Aguascalientes.

There are several projects for economic development such as: the Financial District Río San Pedro, a monorail, a suburban train, the construction of the newest and most modern WTC in Mexico, over four shopping malls, two theme parks, two Executive Hotels and one whose qualification is five stars, eight bridges for the next five years, a Financial District around the Airport, A [[Texas Instruments]] Assembly-Test Plant, A Nissan Assembly plant,  a [[Toyota]] assembly plant and several others projects place Aguascalientes as the third most competitive state in Mexico with more than US$12,000,000 in [[foreign direct investment]] per year (around 8 percent of Mexico's FDI) even though its population is just about 1.03 percent of the country.

However, recently it has also benefited from heavier [[tourism in Mexico|tourism]], since the capital city has gained prestige and status as a national destination for its colonial beauty and cleanliness. In addition, the [[haciendas]] and baths around the state have historic and recreational importance.

==Tourism==
[[File:Fachada del Museo Espacio en Aguascalientes 2.jpg|left|thumb|The Museo Espacio of the MECA (Macroespacio para la Cultura y las Artes), housed in a former [[railway workshop]]. The 86 [[hectare]] MECA complex is composed of museums, a library, auditorium, former industrial buildings and sports facilities.]]
Although this state is not often billed as a tourist center, international visitors, as well as citizens from all over Mexico, are attracted to [[San Marcos Fair]], which is considered the national fair of Mexico<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldreviewer.com/travel-guides/festival/san-marco-national-fair/11107/ |title=San Marco National Fair, Mexico City, Mexico |publisher=World Reviewer |access-date=2011-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718114905/http://www.worldreviewer.com/travel-guides/festival/san-marco-national-fair/11107/ |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and contributes much to Mexico's economy.

Recently, its capital city has gained the reputation as a great destination for its superb colonial architecture visible in the colonial center, as well as the modernity and dynamism in the outskirts.

The city is home to [[Lic. Jesús Terán Peredo International Airport]], where 9 flights per day depart to [[Mexico City]], [[Tijuana]], [[Dallas/Fort Worth]] and [[Houston]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aeropuertosgap.com.mx/Index.html |title=Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacifo |access-date=2009-03-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220172704/http://aeropuertosgap.com.mx/Index.html |archive-date=2009-02-20 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The city also hosts many conventions every year. It benefits from its excellent central location. The city is also famed for its environment of relaxation, and for its safety and cleanliness, as it is often described by people when traveling to this part of the country for conventions or tourism.

Most tourists go to the capital. A few tourists explore the former mining towns in the north of the state (in the municipalities of [[Asientos]] and [[Tepezalá]]), which are now almost ghost cities. The [[haciendas]], [[hot springs]], and [[Bathing|baths]] scattered around the state are also of historical and recreational relevance.

The municipality of [[Calvillo]] has a [[humid subtropical climate]], The largest producer of guavas in Mexico,<ref>{{cite web |last=Bucur |first=Diodora |url=http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3559-december-guava-fair-in-calvillo-aguascalientes |title=December guava fair in Calvillo, Aguascalientes : Mexico Travel |publisher=Mexconnect.com |date=2009-12-04 |access-date=2011-07-29 |archive-date=October 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024204912/https://www.mexconnect.com/articles/3559-december-guava-fair-in-calvillo-aguascalientes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> it attracts some fans of watersports to its reservoirs.
[[File:Ferial 2023 Teatro Aguascalientes, México 3.webm|thumb|Dance performance (Ferial) at the [[Feria Nacional de San Marcos|National Fair of San Marcos]].]]

The state has a Natural Protected Reserve in the higher mountains called [[Sierra Fría]]. Located at a height of {{cvt|2500|to|3000|m|ft|0|lk=out|sp=us}} above sea level, it comprises oak and pine forests. Its attractions include observing exuberant landscape and wide ravines, in which, there are pumas, lynxes, boar, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, raccoons and many other animals. There are steep-sided cycle paths, camping and picnic areas as well as several hunting clubs. It is the mountain climate and fauna that attracts locals for camping activities. In winter, the temperature sometimes falls to {{cvt|-4.44|°C|°F}} when the weather is poor. Usually, Sierra Fría is the only part of the state that gets snow during winter.

In the city of Aguascalientes one of the best sunsets in the world can be seen in Cerro del Muerto; the hill resembles the shape of a man lying down. The city of Aguascalientes is called "el corazón" which means "the heart" of Mexico because it lies in the middle of the country. This city is often considered, by its locals, to be one of the safest and cleanest in Mexico. Also, the city of Aguascalientes is known as "the land of the good people".

==Sports==
[[File:Boca de Túnel, San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes, México 5.jpg|thumb|Boca de Túnel, climbing park at the [[San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes|San José de Gracia]] municipality.]]
Club de Fútbol [[Gallos Hidrocálidos de Aguascalientes]] was a [[Association football|football]] club from Aguascalientes, Mexico.

The club was founded in 1994, when [[Salvador López Monroy]], a restaurant business owner from [[Los Angeles]],<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Imagen |title=Desfalco a los Gallos |trans-title=Embezzlement in the Roosters |url=http://www.imagenzac.mx/1999/06/19/Aguascalientes5.htm |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130221052118/http://www.imagenzac.mx/1999/06/19/Aguascalientes5.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 February 2013 |language=es |date=19 June 1999}}</ref> bought a second division franchise which he relocated to Aguascalientes where there was no professional football club.<ref name="P24">{{cite web |publisher=Pagina 24 |author=García Esparza, Karla Lizbeth |title=Desmienten Regreso de los Gallos de Aguascalientes al Futbol Profesional |trans-title=Roosters of Aguascalientes denied a return to professional football |url=http://www.pagina24.com.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3170&catid=46&Itemid=93 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130219044433/http://www.pagina24.com.mx/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3170&catid=46&Itemid=93 |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 February 2013 |language=es |date=31 July 2012}}</ref>

The club played its last tournament in 2000-2001 when the Governor of Aguascalientes bought first division club [[Necaxa]], with its national following, and relocated it from Mexico City. Gallos de Aguascalientes was then sold to [[C.D. Guadalajara|Chivas]], which changed its name to [[Club Deportivo Guadalajara Reserves|F.C. Tapatio de Guadalajara]], affiliated to Chivas.<ref name="P24" />

The city is home to the soccer team [[Club Necaxa]], which plays in Mexican first division. The club left [[Mexico City]] and relocated to Aguascalientes following the 2003 opening of [[Estadio Victoria]], which is now the club's home venue and one of the best stadiums in the country.

The state has one [[soccer|football]] team in the Mexican Premiere League, [[Club Necaxa]], one professional [[baseball]] team  in the [[Mexican League]], [[Rieleros de Aguascalientes]] (The railroad men), and one professional [[basketball]] team, [[Panteras de Aguascalientes]] (Aguascalientes Panthers)

In December 2009, Necaxa was represented on the field and played their final 2009 match within the [[Primera División de México|Primera División]] (First Division) tier in the 2009 season after losing 1-0 vs Club América. Under the rules of regulation, Necaxa would not be able to participate in the First Division competition play in the fall 2009 and spring 2010 year.
[[File:Estadio Victoria Final de Ascenso 2015-16.jpg|thumb|Victoria Stadium, home of [[Liga MX]] team [[Club Necaxa]].]]

Necaxa's closing spring 2010 league performance had some accomplishments. They had an undefeated record at home throughout the fall 2009. In the spring 2010 campaign, Necaxa's only loss in the season came against F.C León, Necaxa faced this other soccer team on May 8, 2010, for the second leg of the Bicentennial Closing Spring Tournament of 2010. Necaxa won 4–2 on aggregate. Necaxa abandoned the Liga de Ascenso and returned to First Division fall 2010 season. As a result of this match Necaxa won the bi-championship in the Liga de Ascenso and First Promotion title in their franchise history.

===Basketball===
Aguascalientes hosts the Panteras de Aguascalientes headquarters. This team plays in the Mexican Professional Basketball League.

===Baseball===
Aguascalientes also hosts the baseball professional team Rieleros.

===Racing===
Aguascalientes also has important racetracks for the car and motorbike races at a national and international level.

==Media==
[[List of newspapers in Mexico|Newspapers]] of Aguascalientes include: Ahí, El Heraldo de Aguascalientes, El Sol del Centro de Aguascalientes, Hidrocálido, LJA, and Picacho Panorama de Aguascalientes.<ref name=SIC>{{cite web |work=Sistema de Información Cultural |publisher=Gobierno de Mexico |language=es |archive-date= March 7, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200307192728/https://sic.gob.mx/lista.php?table=impresos&disciplina=&estado_id=1 |url=https://sic.gob.mx/lista.php?table=impresos&disciplina=&estado_id=1 |title=Publicaciones periódicas en Aguascalientes}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://libguides.utsa.edu/latamnews |title=Latin American & Mexican Online News |work=Research Guides |publisher=[[University of Texas at San Antonio Libraries]] |location=US |archive-date= March 7, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200307192643/http://libguides.utsa.edu/latamnews}}</ref>

==Major communities==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes|Aguascalientes]]
*[[Asientos]]
*[[Calvillo]]
*[[Cosío, Aguascalientes|Cosio]]
*[[Jesús María, Aguascalientes|Jesús María]]
{{col-break}}
*[[Pabellón de Arteaga]]
*[[Rincón de Romos]]
*[[San Francisco de los Romo]]
*[[San José de Gracia, Aguascalientes|San Jose de Gracia]]
*[[Tepezala]]
{{col-end}}

==Notable people==
:''See also articles in the category [[:Category:People from Aguascalientes|People from Aguascalientes]]''
<gallery>
File:MalgreToutDF.JPG|Malgré tout, by [[Jesús Fructuoso Contreras|Jesús F. Contreras]].
File:Saturnino Herrán - The offering - Google Art Project.jpg|La Ofrenda, by [[Saturnino Herrán]].
File:Posada2.Catrina.jpeg|La Catrina, by [[José Guadalupe Posada]].
</gallery>
*[[José María Bocanegra]], third [[President of Mexico]]
*[[Yadhira Carrillo]], Actress
*[[Jesús Fructuoso Contreras]], Artist
*[[Sebastián Córdova]], Mexican soccer player who plays for [[Liga MX]] club [[Club América]]
*[[Wendolly Esparza]], American-born Mexican television personality best known for winning Miss Mexico 2014.
*[[Anabel Ferreira]], Actress/Comedian
*[[Karina González]], Model and [[Nuestra Belleza México 2011]]
*[[Saturnino Herrán]], Artist
*[[Luis Gerardo Méndez]], Mexican Actor
*[[Jose Maria Napoleon|Jose Maria Napoleón]], Singer and composer
*Gabriela Palacio, model and [[Nuestra Belleza México 2010|Nuestra Belleza Mundo México 2010]].
*[[Manuel M. Ponce]], Musician
*[[José Guadalupe Posada]], Artist
*[[Violeta Retamoza]], Professional golfer
*[[David Reynoso]], Actor
*[[Armida Vendrell]], Actress, dancer, and vaudevillian
*[[William Yarbrough]], Mexican-born American soccer player
*[[Anita Brenner]], Jewish-Mexican writer, artist and anthropologist
{{clear}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
{{Wikivoyage|Aguascalientes (state)}}
{{Commons category}}
*{{OSM relation|2610002}}
*{{in lang|es}}—[http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx Estado de Aguascalientes] — ''state government website''.
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100315082530/http://travelaguascalientes.com/ Aravelaguascalientes.com: Aguascalientes tourism website]
*[https://www.flickr.com/photos/technopal/sets/72157594560209012/ Flickr: photo set of the City of Aguascalientes] — ''in Aguascalientes state''.
*[http://www.aguascalientesmexico.info Fotos y Mensajes de Aguascalientes]

{{Aguascalientes}}
{{States of Mexico}}
{{American Capital of Culture}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Aguascalientes| ]]
[[Category:States of Mexico]]
[[Category:Mexican Plateau states]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1835]]
[[Category:1835 establishments in Mexico]]
[[Category:Articles which contain graphical timelines]]