Tepic, Capital city at 915 meters elevation in Nayarit, Mexico.
Tepic is a city at 915 meters elevation in Nayarit, Mexico, spreading across valleys near the Sierra Madre Occidental. The Molóloa and Tepic rivers cross the area and add greenery to the surroundings.
The settlement was founded in 1531 as Villa del Espíritu Santo de la Mayor España by Spanish forces led by Nuño de Guzmán. During the 19th century it grew into a regional trade center and later became the capital of Nayarit.
Markets in the city feature vendors from Huichol and Cora communities who sell handmade items and sometimes wear regional dress. The stalls display beadwork and woven textiles linked to the religious and daily practices of these groups.
The international airport sits about 20 kilometers outside and is served by buses and taxis. Highways link the city to the Pacific coast and larger centers inland.
The University of Nayarit formed in 1969 from an institute of sciences and letters that had opened back in 1930. Today its faculties spread across several campuses that shape different neighborhoods in the city.
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