Colima History, Mexico

The city of Colima which you see today was actually home to many different cultures of Western Mexico. The word Colima means (in the historical Nahuatl Language) “Place where Older God is dominating” or it means “Place which is conquered by grandparents itself”.

Actually it was the arrival of many peoples from the northern side which became the major reason behind the formation of Colima. It was between the years 250 A.D. and 750 A.D. when the Otomis arrived in this town. Later on it was between the years 900 A.D. and 1154 A.D. when the Toltects who were of Nahua origin entered this land. Lastly it was between the years of 1154 A.D. and 1428 A.D. when Chichimecs arrived into this land.

It was during the first few years of 26th century when the Purepechas (who were actually Indians of Michoacan) or Tarascos who engaged in server war against Tecos. Actually the Purepechas had gained huge confidence by the win which they had received after attacking Moctezuma Army.

Later on it was the leader of Indians from the state of Colima namely Hueytlatuani Colimotl who worked hard to start his army so as to fight against the people who had invaded Tzacoalco. He fought against them in the war which was called as Guerra del Salitre and successfully defeated them in this sever war. It was after this victory when he took control of neighboring Amula, Zapotlan, and Sayula. It was these chains of victory which made the kingdom of Colima as the largest of Confederation Chimalhuacana.

It was the year 1523 when Gonzalo de Sandoval (leader of Spanish Army) laid the foundation for this city and named it as La Villa de Colima. Later on it was the year 1527 when this newly formed city was moved to a new location which is its present location as of today. Soon it was the year 1524 when don Francisco Cortes de Buenaventura was named as the first mayor. This was the step that started the colonial period for Mexico.

It was the year 1810 when the rebels took control of the city taking advantage of the War of Independence for Mexico. Finally it was July 21st, 1823, when the state of Colima was officially formed and the city of Colima was named as its capital city.