Editing Guadalajara (section)

== Geography ==

=== Climate ===

[[File:Guadalajara, Jalisco, México 19.0.jpg|thumb|left|Parque de los Jalicienses Ilustres]]
Under the [[Köppen climate classification]], Guadalajara has a [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cwa''), a temperate climate that is quite close to a tropical climate, featuring dry warm winters and wet, mildly hot summers. Guadalajara's climate is influenced by its high altitude and the general seasonality of precipitation patterns in western North America.

Although the temperature is warm year-round, Guadalajara has strong seasonal variation in precipitation. The northward movement of the [[Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone]] brings a great deal of rain in the summer months, whereas, for the rest of the year, the climate is rather dry, although daily rainfall records in each dry season month range from {{convert|36|mm|in|1|sp=us}} to {{convert|75|mm|in|1|sp=us}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=smn.conagua.gob.mx/tools/RESOURCES/Max-Extr/00014/00014066.TXT |url=https://smn.conagua.gob.mx/tools/RESOURCES/Max-Extr/00014/00014066.TXT |website=Servicio Meteorológico Nacional|access-date=21 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230617114529/https://smn.conagua.gob.mx/tools/RESOURCES/Max-Extr/00014/00014066.TXT |archive-date=17 June 2023 |language=es |url-status=live}}</ref>  The extra moisture during the wet months moderates the temperatures, resulting in cooler days and nights during this period. The highest temperatures are usually reached in May averaging {{convert|33|°C|0|abbr=on}}, but can reach up to {{convert|37|°C|0|abbr=on}} just before the onset of monsoon season. March tends to be the driest month and July the wettest, with an average of {{convert|273|mm|in|1|sp=us}} of rain, over a quarter of the annual average of about {{convert|1002|mm|in|1|sp=us}}.

During the summer, afternoon storms are very common and can sometimes bring [[hail]] flurries to the city, especially toward late August or September. Winters are relatively warm despite the city's altitude, with January daytime temperatures reaching about {{convert|25|°C|0|abbr=on}} and nighttime temperatures about {{convert|10|°C|0|abbr=on}}. However, the outskirts of the city (generally those close to the Primavera Forest) experience on average cooler temperatures than the city itself. There, temperatures around {{convert|0|°C|0|abbr=on}} can be recorded during the coldest nights. Frost may also occur during the coldest nights, but temperatures rarely fall below {{convert|0|°C|0|abbr=on}} in the city, making it an uncommon phenomenon. Cold fronts in winter can sometimes bring light rain to the city for several days in a row. Snowfall is extraordinarily rare, with the last recorded one occurring in December 1997, which was the first time in 116 years, as it had previously last fallen in 1881.<ref name=EC>{{cite web|url = http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=3AA35C31-1#t1|title = El Niño Arrives on Schedule|publisher = Environment Canada|access-date = February 2, 2013|date = 2009-12-23|archive-date = 14 January 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140114070550/http://www.ec.gc.ca/meteo-weather/default.asp?lang=En&n=3AA35C31-1#t1|url-status = live}}</ref>

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Guadalajara, Mexico (1951–2010)
| metric first = Y
| single line = Y
| Jan record high C = 35.0
| Feb record high C = 38.0
| Mar record high C = 39.0
| Apr record high C = 41.0
| May record high C = 39.4
| Jun record high C = 38.5
| Jul record high C = 37.0
| Aug record high C = 36.5
| Sep record high C = 36.0
| Oct record high C = 35.0
| Nov record high C = 32.0
| Dec record high C = 33.0
| year record high C = 41.0
| Jan high C = 24.7
| Feb high C = 26.5
| Mar high C = 29.0
| Apr high C = 31.2
| May high C = 32.5
| Jun high C = 30.5
| Jul high C = 27.5
| Aug high C = 27.3
| Sep high C = 27.1
| Oct high C = 27.1
| Nov high C = 26.4
| Dec high C = 24.7
| year high C = 27.9
| Jan mean C = 17.1
| Feb mean C = 18.4
| Mar mean C = 20.7
| Apr mean C = 22.8
| May mean C = 24.5
| Jun mean C = 23.9
| Jul mean C = 22.0
| Aug mean C = 21.9
| Sep mean C = 21.8
| Oct mean C = 21.0
| Nov mean C = 19.2
| Dec mean C = 17.5
| year mean C = 20.9
| Jan low C = 9.5
| Feb low C = 10.3
| Mar low C = 12.3
| Apr low C = 14.3
| May low C = 16.4
| Jun low C = 17.3
| Jul low C = 16.5
| Aug low C = 16.4
| Sep low C = 16.5
| Oct low C = 14.9
| Nov low C = 12.1
| Dec low C = 10.3
| year low C = 13.9
| Jan record low C = -1.5
| Feb record low C = 0.0
| Mar record low C = 1.0
| Apr record low C = 0.0
| May record low C = 1.0
| Jun record low C = 10.0
| Jul record low C = 9.0
| Aug record low C = 11.0
| Sep record low C = 10.0
| Oct record low C = 8.0
| Nov record low C = 3.0
| Dec record low C = -1.0
| year record low C = -1.5
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 15.6
| Feb rain mm = 6.6
| Mar rain mm = 4.7
| Apr rain mm = 6.2
| May rain mm = 24.9
| Jun rain mm = 191.2
| Jul rain mm = 272.5
| Aug rain mm = 226.1
| Sep rain mm = 169.5
| Oct rain mm = 61.4
| Nov rain mm = 13.7
| Dec rain mm = 10.0
| year rain mm = 1002.4
| unit rain days = 0.1 mm
| Jan rain days = 2.1
| Feb rain days = 1.2
| Mar rain days = 0.7
| Apr rain days = 1.1
| May rain days = 3.5
| Jun rain days = 15.2
| Jul rain days = 21.6
| Aug rain days = 20.0
| Sep rain days = 15.5
| Oct rain days = 6.4
| Nov rain days = 1.8
| Dec rain days = 1.8
| year rain days = 90.9
| Jan humidity = 60
| Feb humidity = 57
| Mar humidity = 50
| Apr humidity = 46
| May humidity = 48
| Jun humidity = 63
| Jul humidity = 71
| Aug humidity = 72
| Sep humidity = 71
| Oct humidity = 68
| Nov humidity = 63
| Dec humidity = 64
| year humidity = 61
| Jan sun = 204.6
| Feb sun = 226.0
| Mar sun = 263.5
| Apr sun = 261.0
| May sun = 279.0
| Jun sun = 213.0
| Jul sun = 195.3
| Aug sun = 210.8
| Sep sun = 186.0
| Oct sun = 220.1
| Nov sun = 225.0
| Dec sun = 189.1
| year sun = 2673.4
| Jand sun = 6.6
| Febd sun = 8.0
| Mard sun = 8.5
| Aprd sun = 8.7
| Mayd sun = 9.0
| Jund sun = 7.1
| Juld sun = 6.3
| Augd sun = 6.8
| Sepd sun = 6.2
| Octd sun = 7.1
| Novd sun = 7.5
| Decd sun = 6.1
| yeard sun = 7.3
| source 1 = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (humidity, 1981–2000)<ref name="SMN">{{cite web
| url = http://smn.cna.gob.mx/tools/RESOURCES/Normales5110/NORMAL14066.TXT
| title = NORMALES CLIMATOLÓGICAS 1951–2010
| publisher = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional
| language = es
| access-date = August 30, 2012
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171028042218/http://smn.cna.gob.mx/tools/RESOURCES/Normales5110/NORMAL14066.TXT
| archive-date = October 28, 2017
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name = extremas>{{cite web
| url = http://smn.cna.gob.mx/tools/RESOURCES/Max-Extr/00014/00014066.TXT
| title = Extreme Temperatures and Precipitation for Guadalajara 1931–2010
| publisher = Servicio Meteorológico Nacional
| language = es
| access-date = January 21, 2013
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20171027232045/http://smn.cna.gob.mx/tools/RESOURCES/Max-Extr/00014/00014066.TXT
| archive-date = October 27, 2017
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref name=obs>{{cite web
 |url=http://smn.cna.gob.mx/observatorios/historica/guadalajara.pdf
 |title=NORMALES CLIMATOLÓGICAS 1981–2000
 |publisher=Servicio Meteorológico Nacional
 |language=es
 |access-date=January 23, 2016
 |url-status=dead
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130063131/http://smn.cna.gob.mx/observatorios/historica/guadalajara.pdf
 |archive-date=January 30, 2016
}}</ref>
| source 2 = [[Deutscher Wetterdienst]] (sun, 1941–1990)<ref name = DWD>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_766120_kt.pdf
| title = Klimatafel von Guadalajara, Jalisco / Mexiko
| work = Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world
| publisher = Deutscher Wetterdienst
| language = de
| access-date = January 23, 2016
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190803071328/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_766120_kt.pdf
| archive-date = August 3, 2019
| url-status = live
}}</ref>
| date=April 2011}}

=== Topography ===

[[File:Cascada, Barranca de Huentitlan, Jalisco - panoramio (4).jpg|thumb|The [[Barranca de Huentitán]]]]
Guadalajara's natural wealth is represented by the [[La Primavera Forest]], [[Los Colomos]], and the [[Barranca de Huentitán]]. The flora in these areas includes michoacan pines, several species of oak, sweetgum, ash, willow, and introduced trees such as poincianas, jacarandas, and ficus. It also includes orchids, roses, and various species of fungi. The fauna includes typical urban fauna in addition to 106 species of mammals, 19 species of reptiles, and six species of fish.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

La [[Barranca de Huentitán]] (the Huentitán Forest) (also known as Barranca de Oblatos and Barranca de Oblatos-Huentitán) is a National Park located just north of the municipality of Guadalajara. The barranca (canyon) borders two colonias (neighborhoods) of the city, Oblatos and Huentitan.
It covers approximately {{Convert|1,136|ha|acre}}, and varies {{Convert|600|m|ft|sp=us}} in altitude. The funicular railway in the park starts at {{Convert|1000|m|ft|sp=us}} above sea level and rises to {{Convert|1520|m|ft|sp=us}} above sea level. In the 16th century, during the Spanish Conquest, the Huentitán area including the canyon was the site of battles between local Indian populations and the Spanish. Later, it was the site of battles between different factions during the [[Mexican Revolution]] and the [[Cristero Rebellion]].

[[File:20 de noviembre de zapopan.jpg|thumb|left|Parque 20 de Noviembre, [[Zapopan]]]]
The canyon is a biogeographic corridor that is home to four types of vegetation: deciduous tropical forest, gallery forest, heath vegetation, and secondary vegetation. In addition to introduced species, there are many native species of flora and fauna. The canyon is studied by national and international researchers as it contains great biological diversity due to its geographical location.
On June 5, 1997, it was declared a Protected Natural Area, as an Area Subject to Ecological Conservation (Zona Sujeta a Conservación Ecológica).

La Cascada Cola de Caballo (The Horse Tail Waterfall) is located on the Guadalajara to Zacatecas road (Highway 54, km 15) a few kilometers from the Northern Peripheral, just after passing the village of San Esteban. The waterfall is fed by a stream from the Atemajac Valley. It is close to Guadalajara and a town with very little development, and as a result of poor ecological practices, it is very polluted.

El Bosque los Colomos, the Colomos Forest, is located in the northwestern part of Guadalajara along the Rio Atemajac. It is in a wealthy part of the metropolitan area, and has been developed for recreation rather than being preserved in its wild state. The river was once one of the main sources of water supply to the city, and today continues to provide water to some surrounding colonias (neighborhoods). Currently, this forest covers an area of {{Convert|92|ha|acre}} in which pine trees, eucalyptus trees, and cedars predominate. The park has jogging tracks, gardens (including a Japanese garden), ponds, a bird lake, instructional areas for school field days, playgrounds, camping areas, and horses to ride.

Other places of interest around Guadalajara include Camachos Aquatic Natural Park, a commercial water park, and Barranca Colimilla, a beautiful canyon with hiking trails near Tonala, east of Guadalajara.

=== Urbanism ===

[[File:Panorámica Guadalajara desde edificio Bansi hacia sur.jpg|thumb|Radial urban planning in central Guadalajara]]
[[File:Zonas de Guadalajara.svg|thumb|Map of the city's zones]]
[[File:Plaza de armas de Guadalajara.jpg|thumb|Street in the historic center]]
Guadalajara's street plan has evolved over time into a [[urban planning|radial urban plan]], with five major routes into and out of the city. It is surrounded by ring roads.

The original city of Guadalajara was planned on a grid, with north–south and east–west intersecting streets.
Over time, villages surrounding Guadalajara were incorporated into the city - first Analco to the southeast, then Mexicaltzingo to the south, Mezquitan to the north, and San Juan de Dios to the east, all of which introduced more variety to the plan. As it grew towards the west, it kept the original north–south orientation. As it grew towards the east, this grid was tilted towards the south-east to match up with the grids of the former towns Analco and San Juan de Dios, across the river from central Guadalajara on the eastern side of Rio San Juan de Dios (Rio San Juan de Dios is now underground; it runs beneath Calzada Independencia).

When the railway was introduced to Guadalajara in 1888, the southern part of the city began development, and its streets aligned with the grid to the east of the old Rio San Juan de Dios. Additional 20th-century expansion of the city introduced even more variety, as developers introduced different kinds of non-grid street plans in new areas. During the government of José de Jesús González Gallo, between 1947 and 1953, major public works changed the urban landscape of the historic center of the city.

Major controversial projects included the widening of Avenida 16 de Septiembre and Avenida Juárez, which were no longer adequate to handle car traffic in the center of the city. In the process, many buildings of architectural and historical value were demolished. Historical buildings around Guadalajara Cathedral were also demolished to leave large open spaces on the four sides of the Cathedral in the form of a large Latin cross, in which the cathedral is now centered. There were other, somewhat less controversial, projects to improve the flow of traffic and increase commerce in other parts of the city.

=== Districts ===

[[File:Panorámica Guadalajara Country (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Western Guadalajara [[Central business district|business district]] skyline]]
Guadalajara is made up of more than 2,300 colonias (neighborhoods) in the Metropolitan Area. The oldest parts of the city include [[Centro, Guadalajara|Centro]] (the oldest in the city), Santuario, Mexicaltzingo, Mezquitan, Analco, and San Juan de Dios. Private houses in the oldest sector of the city are mostly made up of one- and two-level houses, with architectural styles ranging from simple colonial architecture to the Churrigueresco, Baroque, and early nineteenth century European styles.

Just west of the oldest part of the city are upper-class colonias built in the nineteenth and early twentieth century, containing the neoclassical structures and houses of the Porfiriato. In the 1920s, 1930s, 1940s and 1950s well-to-do Tapatios expanded into colonias Lafayette, Americana, Moderna, and Arcos Vallarta. New architectural trends of the 1960s and 1970s also left their mark in colonias such as [[colonia Americana]], [[Vallarta Poniente]], Moderna, Providencia, Vallarta San Jorge, Jardines del Bosque, and Chapalita.

The Metropolitan Area has more wealthy neighborhoods than any other part of western Mexico. These colonias are located both inside and outside the municipality of Guadalajara, including some in its neighboring municipalities of Zapopan and Tlajomulco, in the west and south. Some of these colonias are: Colinas de San Javier, [[Puerta de Hierro, Guadalajara|Puerta de Hierro]], Providencia, Chapalita, Country Club, Ciudad del Sol, Valle Real, Lomas del Valle, Santa Anita Golf Club, El Cielo, Santa Isabel, Virreyes, [[Ciudad Bugambilias]], Las Cañadas, and Royal Country.

In general, residents in the west of the city are the wealthiest, while residents in the east are the poorest.

New development to accommodate the growing population is made up of a mix of middle-class colonias and housing complexes developed as part of government plans, and colonias developed less formally for working-class people. The Metropolitan Area extends to the west in colonias such as Pinar de la Calma, Las Fuentes, Paseos del Sol, El Colli Urbano, and La Estancia and extends to the east in colonias such as San Juan Bosco, San Andrés, Oblatos, Santa Cecilia, Insurgentes, Jardines de la Paz, and Tetlán.

The expansion of the population creates a constant demand for more colonias and more government infrastructure services.
{{clearleft}}

=== Parks ===

[[File:Guadalajara, Jalisco, México 9.0.jpg|thumb|Parque de la Revolución]]
[[File:Parque Rehilete Alcalde 14.jpg|thumb|Parque Rehilete Alcalde]]
Parks and forests are important in Guadalajara; while many of the oldest neighborhoods of the municipality of Guadalajara do not have sufficient green spaces, of the three most important metropolitan areas in Mexico, the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area (ZMG) has the greenest areas and plants.

''The most important parks are:''

; Gardens (Jardínes)

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

* Jardín Dr. Atl
* Jardín Francisco Zarco
* El Jardín Botánico (Botanical Garden)
* Jardín del Santuario
* Glorieta Chapalita Zapopan
* Jardín de San Francisco de Asís
* Jardín de San Sebastián de Analco
* Jardín del Carmen
* Jardín del Museo Arqueológico (Garden of the Archaeological Museum)
* Jardín José Clemente Orozco

{{div col end}}

; Parks (Parques)

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

* Parque Ávila Camacho
* Parque de la Revolución (Parque Rojo to locals)
* Parque Mirador Independencia o Barranca de Huentitán
* Parque Mirador Dr. Atl Zapopan
* Parque Oblatos
* Parque Amarillo (Colonia Jardines Alcalde)
* Parque Talpita
* Parque Tucson (Colonia Jardines Alcalde)
* Parque Los Colomos
* [[Parque Morelos]]
* Parque de la Jabonera
* Parque Metropolitano Zapopan
* [[Parque Alcalde]]
* Parque Agua Azul
* Parque González Gallo
* Parque de la Solidaridad Tonalá
* Parque de la Liberación
* Parque de la Expenal (Explanada 18 de Marz)
* Parque Roberto Montenegro El Salto
* Parque San Rafael
* Parque San Jacinto

{{div col end}}

; Forests (Bosques)

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

* Bosque del Centinela – Zapopan
* [[Bosque de la Primavera]] – Zapopan, Tlajomulco y Tala

{{div col end}}

; Zoos (Zoológicos)

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

* Zoológico Villa Fantasía Zapopan
* Zoológico Guadalajara

{{div col end}}