Geographically, it is divided into the Huasteca Potosina, the Middle Zone and the High Tableland. Its surroundings are extremely varied, ranging from the hot, green plains of La Huasteca to the cool, desert-like tableland. In pre-Hispanic times, it was occupied by hunter-gatherers and by Huastecs shortly before the arrival of the Spaniards. However, San Luis Potosí developed mainly as a result of the silver deposits in Cerro de San Pedro, which increased its architectural and artistic wealth. Several towns date from this period, such as Real de Catorce, Villa del Rey, Santa María del Río and the capital itself, San Luis Potosí. The state has stunning natural sites, ideal for adventure, ecotourism or simply for relaxation. Visitors can explore forests, springs, waterfalls and spas or visit artisans? villages and discover their traditions, fiestas and customs.
The product of the richness of its mines and the tenacity of its earliest inhabitants, which earned it the status of royal, pontificial city, San Luis Potosí has preserved its original urban lay-out, the elegance of its civil and religious architecture and its distinctive colonial appearance. Yet it has also preserved another type of wealth: its traditions and the hospitality of its people who receive visitors with open arms.San Luis Potosí was founded in 1583 as a Franciscan mission, shortly after which it was divided into districts, becoming one of the main colonial cities established around a mining center. It has retained its importance as a regional capital and industrial center, producing textiles and smelting metal, while its districts proudly continue to celebrate their fiestas and traditions.
The name of San Luis Potosí was given in honor of San Luis, French King and Potosí was used to compare the wealth of the mines of the Hill of San Pedro with those of Potosí in Bolivia. Other version of the origin of the name is that was given as homage to the Viceroy Luis of Velasco.The State of San Luis Potosi is perfectly linked with the most important points of the National territory, since the lines Aguascalientes - San Luis Potosí - Tampico, cross the east entity to west. And the Mexico - Laredo makes it of south to north.San Luis Potosi is considered one of the most important railway centers in the country, due to the magnitude of its installed workshops above all in the capital and Cardenas, and by the length of its railroads that puts it in sixth place nationally.In San Luis Potosi the topography and of the different altitude (goes from 68 to 3 thousand meters), the conditions of the climate differ notably in the different parts of the State. In the Huasteca, it is tropical with rains in the summer; in the high zone of the Saw Eastern Mother, tempered and in the high plateau the climate is arid and semi-arid.
Set on a windy plain, San Luis Potosí has attractive pedestrian areas, ample plazas, museums, markets, cafeterias and a general air of calm. Moreover, the surroundings provide numerous opportunities for sports activities and ecotourism, since nature has provided the state with marvelous scenery that will also challenge your outdoor skills. |
