QUERETARO

Querétaro is a state in central Mexico. Its capital is the city of Santiago de Querétaro, although in general parlance the name "Querétaro" is used for both the city and the state. The name is thought to come from a phrase in the Otomi language meaning "the great ball game", or from a phrase in the P'urhépecha language translated as "place of stones". It should be noted that the area of La Cañada, east of Santiago de Querétaro, features a large gorge that resembles the two opposite walls that were used in the Native American ball game. Querétaro is bordered to the north by the state of San Luis Potosí, to the west by Guanajuato, to the east by Hidalgo, to the southeast by the state of México, and to the southwest by Michoacán. The capital city of Santiago de Querétaro is located some 200 kilometres (124 miles) to the northwest of Mexico City. It is known for its Colonial Era architecture.

GEOPGRAPHY

The state is heavily mountainous, notably in the Sierra Gorda and the Sierra Queretana, part of the Sierra Madre Oriental. The area between the two (the Valleys and the Semidesierto) is composed of numerous valleys and usually low peaks. However, the highest peak is the Cerro del Zamorano at 3,360 metres (11,024 feet) above sea level in the Valley of Querétaro. Other notable peaks include Cerro El Espolón at 3,240 metres (10,630 ft), Cerro La Pingüica at 3,160 metres (10,367 ft), and Cerro de la Vega at 3,120 metres (10,236 ft).

The highest municipality seat is Amealco de Bonfil at 2,620 metres (8,596 ft) asl while the lowest is Jalpan de Serra at 760 meters (2,493.4 ft) asl (ironically, in the Sierra Gorda region). Santiago de Querétaro and San Juan del Río are located at 1,820 meters (5,971.1 ft) and 1,920 meters (6,299.2 ft) asl, respectively.