| San Luis Potosí (state) | |
 | |
Location .svg/250px-San_Luis_Potosi_in_Mexico_(location_map_scheme).svg.png) | |
Flag  | |
| State | Mexico |
|---|---|
| Capital | San Luis Potosí |
| Surface | 60,983 km² |
| Inhabitants | 2.585.518 (2010 census) |
| Tourism site | |
| [link not working]Institutional website | |
San Luis Potosí it is a state Mexican in the region of Bajío.
To know
Geographical notes
It borders to the north with the Nuevo León, to the north-east with the Tamaulipas, to the east with the state of Veracruz, southeast with Hidalgo, south with the states of Querétaro is Guanajuato and to the west with the states of Zacatecas is Jalisco.
Much of the state's territory lies on a plateau that slopes slowly towards the east and towards the coast.
Territories and tourist destinations
San Luis Potosí has three distinct regions with different climate, culture and history.
- Central plateau - This region has a rich mining tradition of gold, silver and zinc. The railroad later brought development and strong participation in Mexico's national politics. It includes the capital and its seven Historic Districts (Siete Barrios) which formed the old city, the historic center with colonial architecture and the commercial and political center of the state.
- Huasteca Potosina - Coastal plains and the eastern part of the Sierra Madre, with a distinct culture heavily influenced by the Huastec Indians.
- Río Verde Valley - A rich agricultural region of predominantly rural character.
Urban centers
- San Luis Potosí - Capital of the homonymous state of San Luis Potosí.
- Aquismón - One of several towns in the heart of the Huasteca Potosina, Aquismón is also the starting point for taking a hike to the Sótano de las golondrinas (a karst cave) or to the Tamul waterfall.
- Ciudad Fernández - Separate from Río Verde from one way only. Together they create the largest city in the Río Verde Valley territory.
- Ciudad Valles - The largest city of Huasteca Potosina and commercial and cultural center. It is located on the old Pan-American Highway, the first paved road to cross Mexico from north to south. Ciudad Valles is located in the vast valley between the first two ridges of the Sierra Madre.
- Matehuala - The fourth most populous city in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí.
- Río Verde - Known for maintaining its colonial architectural style.
- Tamazunchale - The largest city in the Nahua region located on the Rio Moctezuma and at the foot of the Sierra Madre.
- Xilitla - Sir Edward James created the surreal Las Pozas there, but it takes the ingenuity and work of the residents to carry it out. The artistic tradition continues to grow as other artists are drawn to this village.
- Ebony - Located on the eastern coastal plain, in one of the first areas of oil and gas extraction.
Other destinations
- El Tamuín - Archaeological area with three of the most significant sites of the Huasteca culture: Tamtok, El Consuelo and Tzintzin - Lujub. The three archaeological sites are located a short distance from the town of Tamuín.
Protected natural areas of the central plateau
- Ejido San Juan de Guadalupe
- El Gogorrón National Park
- El Potosí National Park - It extends from the from Santa María del Río up to the Río Verde Valley.
- Paseo de la Presa San José
- Real de Guadalcázar - The largest variety of cactus in the entire American continent.
- Sierra de Álvarez Forest and Wildlife Reserve
- Sierra de la Mojonera
- Wirikuta - Pilgrimage destination for the Huichols (Wirrárika).
Protected natural areas of the Huasteca Potosina
- Sierra El Abra Tanchipa Biosphere Reserve
- Tancojol Reserve
- National Forest Reserve of the wooded portion of the State of San Luis Potosí
How to get
By plane
Pociano A. International Airport is the only airport in the city of San Luis Potosí and it's really small, having only 2 gates and only 2 international destinations (Dallas is Houston) and a single national daily destination (Mexico City). It is served by Aeromar, Aeromexico, Aerolitoral, American Airlines and United. The closest major airport to the eastern part of the state is Tampico. They both have car rental agencies. There is a small airport in Tamuin just east of Ciudad Valles, with flights to the border and the city of San Luis Potosí.
By car
The main highways are the Old Panamericana (Highway 85) which runs along the coastal plain and through Ciudad Valles. There is a new road starting from San Luis Potosí to Río Verde and the remainder in Ciudad Valles is currently under construction.
On the train
One of the main railways runs from north to south through San Luis Potosí. Another colleague Ciudad Valles to Tampico and San Luis Potosí in the opposite direction. These are freight railways, but a lot of immigrants from thecentral America travel in these trains northbound to the United States of America. The more adventurous can join the campesinos (by carefully evaluating the resulting risks).
By bus
There is extensive bus service that travels on both major highways in the Northeast as well as local buses and taxis. You can use Greyhound from United States of America to get to San Luis Potosí cheap, especially if they come from the regions bordering Mexico. The main bus companies are:
- Transpaís, ☎ 1-800 713-1000.
- Transportes Venecedor, ☎ 1-800 640-9354.
- Omnibus de México, ☎ 1-800 640-9354.
- ETN, ☎ 1-800 800-0386.
- Autobuses del Noreste, ☎ 1-800 280-1010.
- Flecha Amarilla, ☎ 1-800 375-7587.
- Grupo Estrella Blanca, ☎ 1-800 507-5500.
- Grupo Senda, ☎ 1-800 890-9090.
How to get around
Within the state, buses, cars and taxis are the primary source of travel.
By car
Rental cars are only available in the city of San Luis Potosí, while taxis are available throughout the state.
By bus
See the previous section for bus companies operating in the area.
What see
Museums
The main museums are located in the territory of Huasteca Potosina.
- Museo de las Culturas de la Huasteca Potosina Tamuatzán - TO Ciudad Valles.
- Huasteco Regional Museum - In Ciudad Valles.
- Lariab de Historia University Museum Antigua de la Huaxteca - TO Tamuín.
- Edward James Museum - TO Xilitla.
Sources
- San Juan de Vanegas - In the central plateau.
- El Gogorrón - In the metropolitan area of the capital.
- Nacimiento de Huichihuayan - In the Huasteca Potosina, where there are many springs that are often called nacimientos or ojos.
- Taninul - Thermal spring in the territory of Huasteca Potosina, transformed into a swimming pool with a hotel resort. There is also a small cave with some climbing routes.
- Laguna de la Media Luna - It is a clear spring lake in the Río Verde Valley where you can dive and camp.
- Ojo Caliente - In the Río Verde Valley.
Caves
- Grutas de Catedral - The best known cave in the Río Verde Valley and does not require special equipment.
- El Ángel - Another cave in the Río Verde Valley.
In the territory of Huasteca Potosina there are several caves, including:
- Sótano de los Golondrinas (Pit Cave of the Swallows) - The best known cave, with flocks of swallows blowing out every morning and returning every evening. For speleologists it is a vertical descent of 335 meters to reach the base of the cave.
- Sótano de las Huahuas (or The Hoya de las Huahuas)
- Cuevas de Mantetzulel
- Cuevas Sagradas del Viento y la Fertilidad en Chununtzen I
- Grutas los Sabinos
Waterfalls
- Cascada La Llovisnosa - The largest of the three Rio Verde waterfalls. The volcanic rock in this area makes up these waterfalls and other interesting formations, such as the narrow gorge at Pinihuan.
There are many waterfalls found in the territory of Huasteca Potosina and the main ones are:
- Cascada de Tamul - 105-meter waterfall where the Río Gallinas pours into the canyon wall in the Rio Santa Maria, which form the Río Tampoan
- Cascadas Minas Viejas
- Cascadas Micos
- Cascada El Meco
- Cascada El Salto
What to do
Many activities are possible such as trekking, caving, abseiling, kayaking, swimming, etc.
At the table
Some typical dishes are: le enchiladas potosinas, meat Cesina and also the pipián.
Drinks
The capital of San Luis Potosí it is impressive for nightlife. There are big clubs like Mantra, Play, Roush, where you can drink local products such as classic international drinks.
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning San Luis Potosí (state)
Commons contains images or other files on San Luis Potosí (state)
