Guadalajara (pronounced /ˌgwɑːdləˈhɑːrə/; Spanish pronunciation [ɡwað̞alaˈxaɾa]) is the capital city of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of the state and in the western-Pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,579,174 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality. The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area includes seven other adjacent municipalities and has a population of 4,298,715 in 2008, making it the second most populous in the metropolitan area in Mexico, behind Mexico City. The municipality is the most densely populated in Mexico after Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl in the State of Mexico.
Guadalajara is situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft), favouring it with a mild, spring-like climate.
The city is named after the Spanish city of Guadalajara, with the name originating from the Arabic Wadi-al-Hajara (وادي الحجارة), meaning "Valley of Stones"; the literal translation of the Iberian name (Arriaca), meaning "Stony River"..
Guadalajara is Mexico's second biggest city and a major force in Mexico's economy, culture and religion. It exerts significant influence on the rest of the country, and has the most significant and ambitious infrastructural projects in Mexico.
The city has hosted several international events, such as the first Cumbre Iberoamericana in 1991, the Cumbre América Latina, El Caribe-Unión Europea in 2004, the Encuentro Internacional de Promotores y Gestores Culturales in 2005, and will be the host city of the 2011 Panamerican Games. It was also named the American Capital of Culture in 2005, Ciudad Educadora (Educator City) in 2006 and the first Smart City in Mexico due to its use of technology in development.
Guadalajara is also known as Mexico's silicon valley due to its strong electronics industry, and is also considered Mexico's high tech capital due to its leadership in software and informatics development.
According to FDi magazine, Guadalajara is ranked "city of the future", higher than other Mexican cities, and has the second strongest economic potential of any major North American city behind Chicago. It was also rated among the top five most business-friendly Latin American cities in 2007.