ancient ruins
Monte Alban
A pre-Columbian hilltop archaeological site overlooking the Oaxaca Valley, once the ancient capital of the Zapotec civilization with a grand ceremonial plaza.
3 km · about 5 min drive
Oaxaca, Mexico · North America
La Cañada works well as a base: 5 minutes from Santa María Atzompa, 15km from Árbol del Tule.
La Cañada is a town located in Oaxaca, Mexico. With a population of 1,033, it is an important destination in North America.
On a road trip, La Cañada sits in Mexico, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Mexico City time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add La Cañada to your route.
Monte Albán is a large pre-Columbian archaeological site in the Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán Municipality in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca (17.043° N, 96.767°W). The site is located on a low mountainous range rising above the plain in the central section of the Valley of Oaxaca, where the latter's northern Etla,Read more
eastern Tlacolula, and southern Zimatlán and Ocotlán (or Valle Grande) branches meet. The present-day state capital Oaxaca City is located approximately 9 km (6 mi) east of Monte Albán.
The partially excavated civic ceremonial center of the Monte Albán site is situated atop an artificially leveled ridge. It has an elevation of about 1,940 m (6,400 ft) above mean sea level and rises some 400 m (1,300 ft) from the valley floor, in an easily defensible location. In addition to the monumental core, the site is characterized by several hundred artificial terraces, and a dozen clusters of mounded architecture covering the entire ridgeline and surrounding flanks. The archaeological ruins on the nearby Atzompa and El Gallo hills to the north are traditionally considered to be an integral part of the ancient city as well.
Besides being one of the earliest cities of Mesoamerica, Monte Albán was important for nearly one thousand years as the pre-eminent Zapotec socio-political and economic center. Founded toward the end of the Middle Formative period at around 500 BC, by the Terminal Formative (c. 100 BC – AD 200) Monte Albán had become the capital of a large-scale expansionist polity that dominated much of the Oaxacan highlands and interacted with other Mesoamerican regional states, such as Teotihuacan to the north (Paddock 1983; Marcus 1983). The city lost its political pre-eminence by the end of the Late Classic (c. AD 500–750), and soon thereafter was largely abandoned. Small-scale reoccupation, opportunistic reuse of earlier structures and tombs, and ritual visitations marked the archaeological history of the site into the Colonial period.
The etymology of the site's present-day name is unclear. Tentative suggestions regarding its origin range from a presumed corruption of a native Zapotec name to a colonial-era reference to a Spanish soldier by the name Montalbán or to the Alban Hills of Italy. The ancient Zapotec name of the city is not known, as abandonment occurred centuries before the writing of the earliest available ethnohistorical sources.
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La Cañada offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.
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La Cañada is located in Oaxaca, Mexico, North America. The coordinates are 17.0700 latitude, -96.7781 longitude.
La Cañada has a population of approximately 1,033 people, making it a town in Mexico.
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Essential numbers in Mexico
Green Angels (free tourist roadside assistance on federal highways): 078.
Full driving guide for Mexico7 notable places within an hour's drive.
ancient ruins
A pre-Columbian hilltop archaeological site overlooking the Oaxaca Valley, once the ancient capital of the Zapotec civilization with a grand ceremonial plaza.
3 km · about 5 min drive
landmark
A vibrant colonial city famous for its indigenous cultures, mezcal, mole cuisine, and colorful markets nestled in a mountain valley.
5 km · about 10 min drive
natural wonder
A Montezuma cypress in Santa María del Tule with the world's widest trunk, in a churchyard directly beside Highway 190.
15 km · about 30 min drive
landmark
Traditional palenques in the valleys surrounding Oaxaca where artisan mezcaleros produce Mexico's iconic smoky agave spirit using ancient methods.
24 km · about 30 min drive
ancient ruins
A Zapotec hilltop city in the Tlacolula valley with the largest ballcourt in Oaxaca and the labyrinthine Palace of the Six Patios, plus a fortress ridge with sweeping valley views. Usually you have it to yourself.
37 km · about 45 min drive
ancient ruins
A Zapotec archaeological site famous for its intricate geometric mosaic fretwork carved into stone, considered the most important Mesoamerican site after Monte Albán.
47 km · about 55 min drive
natural wonder
Stunning petrified waterfall formations and natural infinity pools perched on a cliff overlooking the Oaxacan valley.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Year-round
Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.
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