large
suburb of
Guadalajara, in the state of
Jalisco, in the country of
México.
About four miles
northwest of downtown
Guadalajara via
Avenida Avila Camacho, Zapopan (pronounced sah-POH-pahn) is the home of the Virgin of Zapopan - often referred to as La Zapopanita (Little Zapopaner) since her image, made of
corn paste, stands a mere 10 inches tall. Legend alleges that Chimalhuacano indians, awed by a
Franciscan friar's display of La Zapopanita during the heat of
battle against the
Spaniards,
surrendered and were
converted to
Christianity. In 1734, at the height of an epidemic, she was taken to the towns and villages around
Guadalajara. Wherever the virgin appeared, sickness reputedly ceased, and many miracles were subsequently attributed to her.
Population (2000) = 912,000