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Guerrero facts for kids

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Guerrero is one of the 32 states that make up Mexico. It is located in the southwestern part of the country, along the Pacific Ocean coast. The state is known for its beautiful beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture. Its capital city is Chilpancingo de los Bravo, but Acapulco is its largest and most famous city, attracting many visitors from around the world.

Where is Guerrero?

Guerrero is bordered by the states of Michoacán to the west, Mexico State and Morelos to the north, Puebla to the northeast, and Oaxaca to the east. To the south, it has a long coastline along the Pacific Ocean. The state's landscape is very diverse, with high mountains, deep valleys, and coastal plains. The Mezcala River (also known as the Balsas River) is one of the most important rivers flowing through the state, creating a large basin.

Mezcala (or Balsas) River in Guerrero, Mexico
The Mezcala or Balsas River in Guerrero, Mexico.

A Look at History

The land that is now Guerrero has a long and interesting history, dating back thousands of years. Ancient people lived in this area, leaving behind amazing cave paintings like those found in the Caves of Juxtlahuaca.

Juxtlahuaca Ruler (M Lachniet)
Painting 1 from the Caves of Juxtlahuaca, showing ancient art.

The state was officially created on October 27, 1849. It was named in honor of Vicente Guerrero, a very important hero of the Mexican War of Independence. He was a general and later became the second president of Mexico.

Vicente Guerrero
Vicente Guerrero, a hero of Mexican Independence and the state's namesake.

Important People from Guerrero

Many important figures in Mexican history have connections to Guerrero:

  • Vicente Guerrero (1782–1831): As mentioned, he was a key leader in the fight for Mexico's independence from Spain. He fought for freedom and equality for all people.
  • Juan Álvarez (1790–1867): He was a general and politician who also played a big role in Mexico's history, especially during the mid-19th century. He even served as president for a short time.
Juan Alvarez
Juan Álvarez, another important historical figure from Guerrero.
  • Ignacio Manuel Altamirano (1834–1893): Born in Tixtla, Guerrero, he was a famous writer, journalist, and politician. He helped shape Mexican literature and education.
Ignacio Manuel Altamirano
Ignacio Manuel Altamirano, a famous writer born in Guerrero.
  • Hasekura Tsunenaga (1571–1622): An interesting historical connection is that this Japanese samurai leader visited Mexico in the early 17th century as part of a diplomatic mission. He landed in Acapulco, making it a very early point of contact between Japan and the Americas.
Hasekura in Rome
Hasekura Tsunenaga, the samurai who led a Japanese delegation that visited Mexico.

Fun Things to Do and See

Guerrero is a popular place for tourists because of its beautiful scenery and fun activities.

Famous Cities

  • Acapulco: This city is famous worldwide for its stunning bay and lively beaches. It's a great place for swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying water sports. You can also watch the famous cliff divers at La Quebrada.
Acapulco Nautico area in Acapulco, Mexico
Acapulco Bay, a famous tourist destination.
La Roqueta Island in Acapulco, Mexico
La Roqueta Island, located off the coast of Acapulco.
  • Taxco: Known as the "Silver City," Taxco is a charming colonial town nestled in the mountains. It's famous for its beautiful silver jewelry and the stunning Santa Prisca Church, a masterpiece of Mexican Baroque architecture.
FacadePriscaTaxco
The beautiful Santa Prisca church in Taxco.
BrowseRealMina
Browsing at a silver shop in Taxco, known for its silver crafts.

Amazing Nature

Guerrero is home to incredible natural wonders:

  • Cacahuamilpa Caves: These are some of the largest cave systems in the world. Visitors can explore huge caverns with amazing rock formations, like stalactites and stalagmites.
08Cacahuamilpa
Entering the impressive Cacahuamilpa Caves.
  • Caves of Juxtlahuaca: These caves are important for their ancient Olmec cave paintings, which are some of the oldest examples of art in Mesoamerica.

Arts and Crafts

The people of Guerrero are very artistic. They create beautiful handicrafts, including pottery, textiles, and wood carvings. Masks, often with two faces, are a special type of wood carving from the region. These crafts show the rich traditions and creativity of the local communities.

Guerrero artesanía
A traditional Guerrero handcraft: a two-faced mask carved from wood.

See also

In Spanish: Estado de Guerrero para niños

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