Guadalajara (pronounced /ˌgwɑːdləˈhɑːrə/;Spanish pronunciation [ɡwað̞alaˈxaɾa]) is the capital city of the Mexican state of Jalisco, and the seat of the municipality of Guadalajara. The city is located in the central region of the state and in the western-Pacific area of Mexico. With a population of 1,600,940 it is Mexico's second most populous municipality. The Guadalajara Metropolitan Area includes other adjacent municipalities and has a population of 4,095,500 although making it the second most populous in the metropolitan area in Mexico, behind Mexico City, and the 23rd largest metropolitan area of the Americas. The municipality is the most densely populated in Mexico after the Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl in the State of Mexico. Guadalajara is situated at an altitude of 1,600 metres (5,200 ft), favouring it with a mild, spring-like climate. The city is named after the Spanish city of Guadalajara, whose name originates from the Arabic phrase (وادي الحجارة) Wādī al-Ḥijārah, meaning "valley of stones" or "river than runs among stones".

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