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Travel and Learn About Mexico States and Mexico Regional Cultures  Jalisco, Mexico is steeped in tradition: many of its cultural features have become synonymous with Mexicanness, such as mariachis, cowboys and tequila. It is located in the west of the country and surrounded by Nayarit, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, San Luis PotosÃ, Guanajuato, Michoacán and Colima and has a long Pacific coastline. Its history dates back to pre-Hispanic times, when it was occupied by Nahua groups (in the south) and Huichol (in the north). Nowadays, Jalisco is one of the most important states in the country. Its many attractions include archaeological sites such as Teuchitlán; the city of Guadalajara, the proud Pearl of the West, with its striking colonial buildings and recreational and cultural centers; Tequila, the cradle of the traditional beverage of the same name. Other cities of note include Tlaquepaque with its fine blown glass objects, Tonalá with its pottery and Puerto Vallarta, with its village atmosphere and gorgeous beaches, not to mention the Costa Alegre and other picturesque cities and towns scattered throughout the state.  Nuevo Leon, Mexico - is located in the northeast of Mexico, borders on the states of Coahuila, Zacatecas, San Luis Potosà and Tamaulipas: to the north, it borders on Texas. Its climate is extreme: cold most of the year and cool and rainy in the summer in the highlands, cool in the south with extreme temperatures in the desert. It was occupied by nomadic groups of hunter-gatherers, whose testimony has been reduced to cave paintings in Boca de Potrerillos. During the last third of the 16th century, the Spaniards ventured into the region and built a number of constructions. The territory is dotted with fascinating natural sites such as waterfalls, grottoes, ravines and mountains, ideal for adventure tourism. Nowadays its capital, Monterrey, is one of Mexico's major cities. It is a center of cultural activity, due to its magnificent museums and other places of interest. 31 states (estados, singular - estado) and 1 federal district* (distrito federal); Aguascalientes, Baja California, Baja California Sur, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Colima, Distrito Federal*, Durango, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Mexico, Michoacan de Ocampo, Morelos, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro de Arteaga, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Tlaxcala, Veracruz-Llave, Yucatan, Zacateca
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