Guadalajara, Mexico’s second most important city, founded in 1542, the «Pearl of the West» is a captivating metropolis, full of contrast and tradition. Much of the emblematic folklore for which our country is known around the world, comes from Guadalajara and its state, Jalisco. Guadalajara is an engaging city and undisputed symbol of Mexico that manages to offer world-class amenities without losing its provincial charm.

The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area is home to tFOUR and a half million inhabitants, and includes the municipalities of Guadalajara, Zapopan, Tonalá and Tlaquepaque, where the ITESO campus is located. The city occupies the Atemajac Valley, with a average altitude of 1,561 meters (5121 feet) above sea level, and boasts a wonderfully temperate climate. Guadalajara is not far from the coast -three hours from Manzanillo and four from Puerto Vallarta- and modern highways have cut driving time to Mexico City down to five hours.

Known for its mariachis, its monuments and its soccer teams, Guadalajara has many other facets as well; it is an important business hub and center for technological development that has attracted a significant concentration of electronic firms, as well as hardware and software developers. Its vibrant cultural life includes outdoor concerts and other artistic activities, as well as such internationally relevant events as the International Book Fair -the most important in Latin America and one of the most important in the Spanish-speaking world- and the Guadalajara International Film Festival.

Guadalajara continues to build itself day by day. Countless ITESO professors and alumni have made significant contributions to what Guadalajara is today, and have put it on the world map in the arts, the sciences and advanced social thought.