Aguascalientes

The city and municipality of Aguascalientes is the capital of the state of Aguascalientes in western central Mexico. It stands on the banks of the Río Aguascalientes, 1888 meters above sea level, at 21°51'N 102°18'W. The city was founded on 22 October 1575. It became the capital of the newly formed state of the same name when its territory was split off from neighboring Zacatecas State in 1835. The name -Aguascalientes- originated from the Spanish words "Aguas Calientes" meaning "hot waters". When the city was first founded in 1575 it was given this name for its abundance of hot springs. These thermal features are still in demand in numerous spas and even exploited for domestic use. People from Aguascalientes (both the city and the state) are known by the whimsical Spanish demonym hidrocálidos or "hydrothermal" people.