Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca (Nahuatl: Cuauhnāhuac, "by the trees") is the capital of the state of Morelos and the municipio of Cuernavaca in Mexico. It has a population of 378,476 (as of 2020). The city is also called the "City of Eternal Spring" after Alexander von Humboldt. The reason is the warm and mild climate (average temperature 23 °C), caused by the location (about 1500 meters above sea level) in the Mexican highlands, enclosed in the north by mountain ranges with over 3000 meters above sea level (forested with oaks, pines and firs), in the east by the foothills of the Tepozteco with approx. 2000 meters above sea level, in the south by the mountains around Taxco in the Mexican state of Guerrero and in the west by the dry forests above the valleys of Chalma in the state of México. The city itself has altitude differences of more than 400 m and is in the center and in the north a typical mountain city with streets that follow the "Barrancas"(in the rainy season with white water filled canyons). Only a few bridges connect the different parts of the city. These gorges themselves are one of the tourist attractions, especially those that carry water throughout the year, producing waterfalls in the outskirts of the city of more than 30 m high (e.g. El Salto de San Antón).

From Mexico City it is about 85 kilometers south to Cuernavaca. Air-conditioned buses run almost every hour. In the city itself, "Rutas", small buses, run on fixed routes.

Cuernavaca is still a popular weekend destination. Many Mexicans have their second home there because of the climate and so you can find beautiful villas or haciendas with large gardens, often surrounded by high walls. Some of these houses are nowadays hotels, restaurants or bars. The most famous is the restaurant Las Mañanitas. Even Hernán Cortés and Emperor Maximilian and his wife Charlotte spent the summer months in Cuernavaca. The place is also popular with Americans and Germans to spend the winter months.

Notable international institutions include Our Cabaña near Cuernavaca, one of the four World Centers of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. Cuernavaca is also home to many Spanish language schools.

The novel Under the Volcano by Malcolm Lowry is set in a fictional central Mexican city called "Quauhnáhuac," corresponding to the ancient name Cuernavacas.

History

When the Spanish conquistadors entered the country in 1519, Cuernavaca was on the side of the Aztecs. It was only when Hernán Cortés defeated the city in 1521 during his campaign around Lake Texcoco that it switched sides and fought alongside the Spanish against the Aztecs for the rest of the war.

It has been the seat of a Roman Catholic diocese since 1891.

Economy

In Cuernavaca, Japanese automaker Nissan has operated its Civac plant since 1966 and currently produces the Versa for the United States, the Nissan Tiida for Mexico and Central America. The Nissan Tsuru notchback sedan is also produced there for the Mexican market. There are about 3500 workers at the Civac plant.