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  Cocula
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| Coordinates: 20°21′55″N 103°49′20″W / 20.3651672°N 103.8221419°W | |||
| Country |  Mexico |
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| State | Jalisco | ||
| Municipality | Cocula | ||
| Government | |||
| - Municipal President | Arturo Facundo Ramírez (PRD) |
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| Elevation | 1,350 m (4,429 ft) | ||
| Population (N/A) | |||
| - City | 26,460 (municipality) | ||
| - Urban | 13,230 (town) | ||
| - Demonym | Coculense | ||
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) | ||
| Postal code | 48500 | ||
| Website | www.cocula.gob.mx | ||
Cocula is a municipality and town in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is located 35 miles (56 km) southwest of Guadalajara, on Mexico Highway 80 (20°23'N 103°49'W). Elevation: 4,460 ft/1,350 m. According to the 2000 census, the population of the municipality was 26,460 with around half of them living in the town. Some towns close to Cocula, are Cofradia De La Luz, La Sauceda, and Santa Teresa.
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Economy
The Cocula region is primarily an agricultural land, growing anything from sugar cane, corn, agave, sorghum, chickpeas, alfalfa and mangoes. To a lesser degree, some livestock are also raised, in particular pigs, poultry, goats, and cattle. Cocula City is also the head of the local commerce, with a wide range of specialized retailers from food, clothing, shoes, to construction materials, and is also the primary center for general services such as banks, hospitals, car repair shops and other services within the region.
History
Cocula was called originally Cocollán or Cocolán, which has been interpreted to mean "ondulated place." Around the 12th century, some families of the Coca tribe who inhabited the Kingdom of Tonalá were forced to flee the area due to hostility towards them. A group guided by Huehuetztlatzin founded Cocollán in today's Acatlan de Juarez area.
Cocollán was destroyed towards the end of the 16th century. They tried to establish themselves in the Tlajomulco area a few miles from there but were expelled by the local tribes. They ended up occupying the top of a mountain close to the original Cocollán site were they remained until the arrival of the Spaniards.
By 1520, Cocollán was an independent city under the rule of Chief Citlali (The Star). It had some tributary towns under its control like Acatlan, Villa Corona, Tizapanito, Xilotepetque and Tecolotlán. In 1521, the Spanish army under Alonso the Avalos conquered Cocollán and surrounding towns and incorporated them into the Avalos Province. A few years later, Franciscan monks persuaded the indigenous inhabitants of the city to relocate to a valley nearby, which is its present location. This is believe to have happened in 1532. There are still remains of the old city, which is referred to as Cocula Vieja (Old Cocula).
Culture
Cocula is referred to as "La Cuna del Mariachi," or "The Cradle of Mariachi," given that mariachi music originated there in the 19th century. As one enters or exits Cocula, two large arches, featuring two guitars or violins, bear the inscription "Bienvenidos a Cocula, Cuna Mundial del Mariachi." Many well known mariachi groups have come from Cocula and surrounding areas. A famous Mexican Artist named Jorge Negrete sang a song called "Cocula" that talks about this town and how mariachi originated there.
External links
Imágenes de Cocula
 Cocollán (Hieroglyphic) |
 Unofficial Flag of Cocula |
 Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel |
 Templo de la Cruz |
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Plaza principal |
 Templo de San Juan |
 Templo de San Pedro |
 Kiosco |
 Fuente |
 Entrada y salida principales |
 Cementerio Municipal |
 Monumento a La Madre |
 Plaza de Villa de Cázarez |
 El Salto |
 El Salto |
 Presa |
 Maguey |
 Biznaga |
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