Guanajuato, State capital and administrative division in central Mexico.
Guanajuato is a state in the central highlands of Mexico, bordered by six other states and comprising several valleys with rolling landscapes. The capital sits at an elevation of roughly 2000 meters (6500 feet) between mountains, while the rest of the territory ranges from plains to mountainous terrain.
The region's mines produced a significant portion of the world's silver during the 18th century, shaping the economic development of the colonial period. Later, the capital became the site of the first major uprising against Spanish rule in 1810.
The Festival Internacional Cervantino transforms the region into a stage for performing arts each October, when artists and audiences from many countries gather. Local communities maintain their craft traditions in silverwork and ceramics, visible in workshops and markets throughout the area.
A developed highway network connects the main towns, while the international airport offers links to several Mexican and North American cities. Higher elevations mean cooler temperatures than at the coast, especially at night and during winter months.
A network of tunnels beneath the capital now serves as a road system, though it was originally built for flood control. The underground routes follow the old riverbeds and allow vehicles to cross much of the downtown without clogging the narrow streets.
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