Colima
Smallest state by population, highest murder rate per capita.
Colima, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Colima, is one of the 31 states that make up the 32 federated entities of Mexico. It is a small state on the central Pacific coast, including the four Revillagigedo Islands, and shares its name with its capital city, Colima. Despite being the fourth smallest state in Mexico and having the smallest population, Colima has one of the highest standards of living and the lowest unemployment in the country, but also the highest murder rate per capita and one of the highest crime rates due to cartel activity at its ports.
- Capital
- Colima
- Largest cities
- Colima, Manzanillo, Villa de Alvarez, Tecomán
Lore & Background
Colima's territory includes the Revillagigedo Islands—Socorro, San Benedicto, Clarión, and Roca Partida—which are under federal jurisdiction but considered part of the municipality of Manzanillo. The state is divided into ten municipalities, and natural geography splits it into a northern region with cooler climates due to higher mountains and a southern region that is hotter and includes the Pacific coastline.
Reader's Guide
Colima is significant as a small but economically prosperous state with a high standard of living, yet it faces severe challenges from cartel-related violence, having the highest murder rate per capita in Mexico. Its ports are contested areas for drug cartels, contributing to one of the highest crime rates nationally. The state's geography includes active and dormant volcanoes, diverse ecosystems from rainforest to mangrove forests, and unique wildlife such as the Magdalena rat and the tarantula Brachypelma hamorii. Culturally, the capital city of Colima remains the economic, political, and cultural center, while Villa de Álvarez hosts a notable bullfighting and charreada event in a bullring made of logs and petates, considered one of the world's largest crafts. The state's population is predominantly mestizo and Catholic, with small indigenous and Afro-Mexican communities.
Did You Know?
- Colima is the fourth smallest state in Mexico by area, covering only 0.3% of the country's total territory.
- Colima has the highest murder rate per capita in Mexico, due to its ports being a contested area for cartels.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Colima?
Colima is a small Mexican state situated along the central Pacific coastline, and it shares its name with its capital city. It is one of the 31 states within Mexico's 32 federated entities.
Why is Colima known for both high living standards and extreme danger?
Despite having among the lowest unemployment rates and highest quality-of-life indicators in Mexico, the state also records the highest murder rate per capita in the country. This paradox is largely attributed to cartel operations exploiting the heavy shipping activity at its Pacific ports, particularly Manzanillo.
Does Colima include any offshore islands?
Yes, the state's jurisdiction extends to the four Revillagigedo Islands in the Pacific Ocean. These remote volcanic islands are part of Colima's official territory despite being far from the mainland coast.
More in Mexican States 1-19
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