Ixtlán del Río, Municipal seat in Nayarit, Mexico
Ixtlán del Río is an administrative region in Nayarit that spreads across mountainous terrain, with flat lands along rivers where farming and settlements thrive. The area blends natural resources with traditional ways of living across a varied landscape.
The region was reached by conquistador Francisco Cortés de San Buenaventura in 1525, marking the beginning of recorded European contact in this area. Archaeological sites like Toriles with its Quetzalcoatl temple show how important pre-colonial cultures were to this place.
The Regional Museum displays objects from the Toltec period and documents the area's connection to ancient cultures. Visitors can explore traditional crafts and artistic practices that remain part of life here today.
The area connects to Tepic and Guadalajara through rail and Highway Route 15, with a toll road serving the eastern side. These connections make it fairly easy to reach from larger cities in the region.
The name comes from Nahuatl meaning 'place where obsidian is found,' reflecting how important this volcanic glass was to local trade long ago. This black stone glass was a key material for tools and trade goods in pre-colonial times.
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