Colima

The Municipality of Colima is one of two sub-provinces called the Volcanos de Colima and Cordillera Costera del Sur. It is the capital of the state with the same name. The name comes from the Nahuatl word Coliman: colli - maitl, which means kingdom / lordship - hill / volcano / grandfather - hand / domain, which means "conquered place of our grandparents' or "place where the Old God or God of fire dominates " referring to the volcano. It is located at an average altitude of 550 meters (1,800 feet) above sea level, and at a minimum of 305 meters (1,000 feet).

The town has a land area of 668.2 square kilometers (258 sq miles), which equals 12.25% of the total area of the state. Its climate is warm humid with summer rains in most parts of the town. The annual average temperature is between 24 to 26 ? C (75 to 78 F). The town of Colima was founded on July 25, 1523, at a location near to Caxitlan. Captain Gonzalo de Sandoval received orders from Hernan Cortes to find a good place and found a village of Spaniards which should be called Colliman. Residents and council carried out this move on January 20, 1527 which corresponded to the founding of the town of San Sebastian of the province of Colima.

This was the eighth settlement that the conquistadores founded in the territory of New Spain. The state of Colima was part of the administration of Jalisco until October 4, 1824 when it received the categorization of a federal territory separating it permanently from Jalisco. On September 10, 1824, the title of city was given to the local territory.

Today, it is surrounded with a modern infrastructure, connected by a highway linking Guadalajara and Manzanillo, and with a functional airport located in the architectural framework of the great Hacienda,Colimota. And with the ease of its excellent climate and services Colima is ideal for tourism and travel conventions. Colima has many tourist attractions such as museums, regional parks, institutes, murals, universities and art galleries, with the most prominent attractions being the University Institute of Fine Arts, the City Hall, the State Capital, the University of Colima and the Regional Museum of History. It also has cultural and recreational attractions such as archaeological sites, monuments, ancient buildings, temples and popular festivities which are part of the traditions and typical folklore together with the music, crafts and food of the region.

And speaking of tourism, this city has an endless array of beauty such as can be found all over the state within a variety of regions and microclimates. Some of its natural charms are the La Maria Lagoons and the Carrizalillo, where just a short distance from the capital you can feel the change of climate and vegetation.  Marvel as well in the spectacular views of the Volcanos of Colima and El Fuego where areas for camping, grills, lodging, boat rentals and horses, restaurant services and security provide its visitors with an excellent space for the outdoors. This small city is well equipped to handle the demand by offering first class hotels, restaurants and services providers.

The large heart of this city lives through the kindness and joy of its inhabitants. Such are the people of Colima: "Proud people of their lineage".