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 The country of México shares a three thousand kilometer border with the United States; the southern neighbors are the Central American countries of Guatemala and Belize.
México is composed of 32 states and has a wide range of climates. It was the home of advanced civilizations such as the Aztecs, Toltecs, and Mayas before the invasion by the Spaniards in 1520 and therefore there is an extremely interesting mixture of Spanish and local cultures.
City of Santiago de Querétaro
Is located in the heart of México, 200 kms. North from México City, the country's capital and the world's most populated city.
Querétaro has approximately 680,000 inhabitants (out of a total of 1,250,876). Three quarters of this population are between 16 and 50 years of age and over half of this amount is economically active.
The city is rich in history and colonial architecture, besides being one of the largest industrial and business centers of modern México.
The historical downtown of the capital of Querétaro has been declared "Cultural Heritage of Mankind" by UNESCO and it offers to its visitors the tradition of 470 years of history printed on its aqueduct, temples and big ancient colonial houses that make of this city one of the most beautiful colonial places in Mèxico.
It is also one of the safest and cleanest cities in the country and only a few hours away from other colonial cities such as Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, a major center for Mexican and international art.
Querétaro offers art and all kinds of cultural events, as well as a variety of recreational activities such as football, golf, bullfights, horseback riding, charreadas , camping and swimming as well as getting a great sun tan. It has Spring-like weather the entire year, a big attraction for nature lovers.
Some of the most important events of the Mexican Independence movement took place in this city around 1810 and also, Querétaro was the home for many important people who now form part of our history.
 The State of Querétaro
The state of Querétaro de Arteaga is located in the central zone of the country, in the region known as "El Bajío", which is a zone of ample prairies contained in the states of Jalisco , San Luis Potosi, Guanajuato, Querétaro, and Michoacán. The greatest part of the territory of the state is made up of mountains and hills belonging to different ecosystems and which favor the agreeable climate predominant in this region.
Among Querétaro's beauties there is San Joaquín. A beautiful municipality that counts with the most amazing nature you can find; it has the "Durazno" waterfalls, caverns and the archeological site called "Ranas". We have the "Sierra Gorda" which is one of the largest untamed regions of the central part of México. A vast territory that offers five beautiful missions founded in the 18th century; and a sharp contrast between the warm almost tropical landscape of the northern parts of Jalpan, which belong to the Huasteca region, and the pine-covered hills of Pinal de Amoles, a municipality located in the highest lands, where you can find some snow during the winter.
Distances from Santiago de Querétaro to some important cities of the Mexican Republic.
ACAPULCO: 627 Km 390 MI
AGUASCALIENTES,Ags: 282 Km 175 MI
CELAYA,Gto: 45 Km 28 MI
CUERNAVACA,Mor: 307 Km 191 MI
GUADALAJARA, Jal: 367 Km 228 MI
GUANAJUATO,Gto.: 133 Km 82 MI
IRAPUATO, Gto: 109 Km 68 MI
JALAPA, Ver.: 480 Km 298 MI
LEON, Gto.: 160 Km 99 MI
MANZANILLO,Col: 723 Km 449 MI
MÉXICO,D.F.: 222 Km 138 MI
MORELIA, Mich: 199 Km 124 MI
PUEBLA,Pue.: 348 Km 216 MI
SAN LUIS POTOSÍ: 205 Km 126 MI
SAN MIGUEL ALLENDE: 35 Km 22 MI
TLAXCALA: 335 Km 208 MI
TOLUCA: 195 Km 121 MI
VERACRUZ: 648 Km 403 MI
Origin of the City
The word "Querétaro is of Tarasco origin and it means "the place of the ball game", a popular sport practiced of old. This same meaning is shared by the Otomi word "Andamaxei", as the place was known by the first settlers. Another description which coincides phonetically is the word "Querendaro", which in Tarasco means "town of stones", since Querétaro lies in a quarry region at ground level.
Santiago de Querétaro comes from a foundation whose origins are shared by history and legend. The most accepted version on the first time of settlement is actually a tradition according to which the first settlers established themselves after some encounters with the native population and the Spanish conquerors and in which the former fought against the invaders without weapons. The latter were assisted by the apparition of Santiago Apostle.
The account is found in the "Report of Nicolas de San Luis" which was written in the 18th century and in which it is asserted that on July 25, 1531, after the battle of the Sangremal Hill, the "town of the Indians" was founded endorsing a Land Favor dated two years later and though which the king Charles V granted to the Indian local rulers, or "caciques" the lands where the town of Querétaro later prospered.
World Heritage
 The historical center of the City of Santiago de Querétaro was declared "Cultural Inheritance of mankind" by UNESCO on December 5, 1996. This distinction, besides, of course, the environmental values which have conserved the area, is due to the wisdom with which the population has incorporated its contributions through more than four centuries.
The city was consolidated during the viceroyalty around a scheme balancing open spaces and private areas; between squares, atriums, gardens and poplar groves, and the church precincts, convents, palaces, and popular houses. The organization of the urban fabric, careful of ordinances, as well as the works built to populate it, became an example which the Crown of Spain already acknowledge since the middle of the 17th century.
During the century, and as a result of sponsorships and the effort which the people of Querétaro were able to combine, the buildings that in time would become the historical center of the town were built. From that time the concepts of urban and architectural composition which have given a universal value to the spaces in Querétaro come.
The Franciscan friars are considered first organizers of the City, even though it must be recognized that the heritage whole is due to the work of several generations which lived and exalted the City during the 18th and 19th centuries.
The city keeps its old structure of neighborhoods, and, above all, the reference systems that integrate its main buildings. Among them, the following are noteworthy: the former convents of The saint Cross of Miracles, San Antonio, El Carmen Santo, Santo Domingo, Santa Rosa de Viterbo, San Agustin, and Capuchinas; the churches of San Ignacio de Loyola and san Agustin ; the old Jesuit schools of San Ignacio and San Francisco Javier; the aqueduct, and of course, the house of works, among which the House of Ecala, of the Marchioness, of the Rayas Marquis, of the Corregidora, of the Diezmo, of the Sierra Gorda Count, of the Regla Count, of the Isita, of the Divine Sun, and the Dogs, stand out, among others.
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Our classes start every Monday which allows students to study for as little as one week at a time or to continue with classes over a period of months.
different levels.
Apart from our cultural program, we organizes other activities and helps students find special courses, sports facilities, advisement on trips, etc. Some of the activities, workshops and trips are organized by school and others are given in specialized Institutions, Sports Clubs and Travel Agencies with which the school works with.
erent workshops, games, movies, city tours, history classes, grammar workshops or audio activities, among others (day and hour may change).
There is a social evening opened to all students and staff who wish to attend. Sometimes it is held in the school but normally it is held in a fashion cafe, restaurant , bar or disco club. (Costs and expenses are NOT included)
One of the best ways to learn Spanish is to combine formal studies and living with a Mexican family. This provides multiple opportunities to learn new words and expressions, and it gives insight into daily life in México. It is an enriching cultural experience that opens many doors and it is long remembered.
All homes are no more than 15min. from the school by car.
