México Alfabético (Tercera Parte) Quiz

Victoria de Durango, Durango. Also just called Durango (City), it was founded in the 1560s by Spanish explorers who named it after a town in northern Spain. When the Mexican states were organized in 1824, Durango was chosen as the capital of the state bearing the same name. The city's name reflects its colonial ties and the influence of Spanish settlers.

Tepic, Nayarit. Tepic was established as a colonial town and became the capital when Nayarit was declared a state in 1917. The name Nayarit honours a local indigenous leader, Nayar. Tepic's name may derive from Nahuatl, possibly meaning "place of corn," indicating its agricultural roots.

Zacatecas (City), Zacatecas. Zacatecas was founded in the 1540s following the discovery of silver. It became the capital of the state of Zacatecas, which was named after the Zacateco people. The name likely refers to a type of grass native to the region, used for weaving and thatching.

San Luis Potosí (City), San Luis Potosí. Also just called San Luis (or SLP), it was founded in the late 1500s following the discovery of gold and silver in the region. It became the capital of the state bearing the same name. The name honours Saint Louis (IX), King of France, and references the rich mines of Potosí in Bolivia, which the Spanish hoped to rival.

Santiago de Querétaro, Querétaro. Also just called Querétaro (City), it was established in the early colonial period and became the capital of the state of Querétaro in the 19th century. The name is believed to come from an Otomi or Purépecha word, possibly meaning "place of the ball game" or "place of rocks," though its exact origin remains debated.

Toluca de Lerdo, (State of) México. Also just called Toluca, it was an important pre-Hispanic settlement and later a colonial town. It became the capital of the State of México in 1830. The name Toluca is thought to come from Nahuatl, possibly meaning "place of the god Tolo," though interpretations vary. The state's name reflects its central role in the country's identity.

Tlaxcala de Xicohténcatl, Tlaxcala. Also just called Tlaxcala, it was a prominent indigenous center before the Spanish conquest and later became the capital of the state of Tlaxcala. The name comes from Nahuatl, meaning "place of corn tortillas," reflecting the region's agricultural traditions.

Xalapa-Enríquez, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave. Also just called Xalapa, (sometimes spelled Jalapa), it became the capital of Veracruz due to its location in the highlands and its colonial significance. The name Veracruz means "true cross," a religious reference from the Spanish conquest. Xalapa's name is derived from Nahuatl, meaning "spring in the sand."

Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas. Originally part of the territory governed from Guatemala, Chiapas joined México in the early 19th century. Tuxtla Gutiérrez, a city in the central valley, was named the capital in 1892. The name Chiapas is thought to refer to a plant native to the region, while Tuxtla may derive from indigenous terms related to rabbits or vegetation.

Villahermosa, Tabasco. Villahermosa, meaning "beautiful town," was founded in the 16th century and became the capital of Tabasco when the state was formed in 1824. The state's name is believed to come from a Maya chief or possibly from a Nahuatl term referring to humid lands, which fits the region's tropical climate. Villahermosa went through numerous name changes over the years, with simply 'Villahermosa' being made official in 1916.

San Francisco de Campeche, Campeche. Also simply called Campeche (City), it was built on the ruins of an ancient Maya settlement in the early 1500s. It became the capital when the state of Campeche was created in 1862. The name is believed to come from indigenous words describing the local environment, possibly referencing snakes and insects common to the area.