State (pop., 2000: 6,322,002), west-central Mexico.
It covers 31,211 sq mi (80,836 sq km), and its capital is Guadalajara . The Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range traverses the state, separating the Pacific coast from a high plateau region. The Sierra Madre region is largely volcanic, and earthquakes are frequent. The state's many lakes include Chapala , Mexico's largest. First invaded by Spaniards in 1526, Jalisco was incorporated into Nueva Galicia. In 1889 its area was much reduced by the separation of the territory of Tepic (now Nayarit state) from its coastal zone. Its economy is based on agriculture, livestock raising, forest products, and mining.