Guanajuato

Guanajuato ( Spanish pronunciation: [gwanaˈxwato], Otomi: Ndänuë) is a municipality in central Mexico and the capital of the state of Guanajuato. It is part of the Bajío macroregion. The city is built in a narrow valley, which gives its streets a winding layout; many are narrow alleys inaccessible to cars, while others consist of long stairways up the mountainsides. Several of its thoroughfares run partially or entirely underground. Its historic center contains numerous small plazas and colonial-era mansions, churches, and civic buildings constructed from pink or green sandstone. The historic center and adjacent mines were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.

Guanajuato's wealth came from the rich mineral deposits in the surrounding mountains. Its mines were among the most important in the Americas during the colonial period, alongside those of Zacatecas in Mexico, Potosí in Bolivia, and Ouro Preto in Brazil. One of these mines, Valenciana Mine, was responsible for two-thirds of the world's silver production at the height of its output. For this reason, the UNESCO designation applies to the Historic Town and Adjacent Mines.