bajío

Bajío is a geographic and economic region of central Mexico. The term refers to a broad basin on the Mexican Plateau that is drained by the Lerma River and its tributaries, and is bounded by the Sierra Madre Oriental to the east and the Sierra Madre Occidental to the west. The area covers parts of several states, with core zones in Guanajuato, Querétaro, San Luis Potosí and Aguascalientes, and extending into portions of Jalisco, Michoacán and Zacatecas. The landscape is largely flat to gently rolling, with a temperate to semi-arid climate and a marked rainy season in the summer.

The Bajío name comes from the Spanish bajío, meaning low-lying area. Historically it has been an agricultural heartland and, during the colonial period, a center for mining and commerce. In the 20th century, it experienced rapid industrialization and urban growth, and today is regarded as one of Mexico’s most dynamic economic regions.

Economy and development: The Bajío hosts dense urban centers and a diversified industrial base. It is known for large-scale manufacturing, especially automotive assembly and components, as well as aerospace, electronics and metalworking. Cities such as León, Celaya, Irapuato and Guanajuato City in Guanajuato; Querétaro City; San Luis Potosí; and Aguascalientes play central roles in production and export activity. The region also has strong agricultural and service sectors and benefits from growing investment in infrastructure, logistics and education.