Oaxaca

Southern Mexico appeals to travelers who like to feel themselves at the heart of the countries they visit. This region will give you a taste of Mexico's secret spice.

Geographically, this is where Mexico displays its affinity with tropical Central America and its rich green mountains, lush forests and incredible variety of wildlife. The area is home to Mexico's largest Indian populations and is easily Mexico's poorest economic region. This region is of special interest to archaeologists. If there's still an "undiscovered" Mexico, it's the south. It offers few of the sophisticated frills of glittering resorts, but reveals a face of Mexico the tourist will see nowhere else. For those with time and spirit, a visit to this beautiful and largely unspoiled area is richly rewarding and unforgettable.

Oaxaca, the capital of the state of the same name, lies 340 miles southeast of Mexico City and can be reached by air, highway or train. A new superhighway connecting the two cities has cut driving time in almost half (from about 10 to five and a half hours).

Located in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre del Sur, the city has a superb climate, making it a year-round favorite of visitors. Once the center of the Mixtec and Zapotec civilizations, today's Oaxaca is a combination of pre-conquest, colonial and modern influences. The early Zapotecs developed a great civilization at nearby Monte Alban centuries before the birth of Christ. Two of Mexico's most famous presidents, Benito Juarez and Porfirio Diaz, were of Zapotec origin.

After the Spanish conquered Oaxaca in 1533, the city quickly took on a Spanish flavor, with ornate buildings, churches, elegant archways, balconies, decorative grill work and charming plazas. Yet despite its colonial heritage, the city remains basically Indian at heart - wherein lies its charm.