Zapopan

Zapopan (Latin American Spanish pronunciation: [saˈpopan]) is a city and municipality located in the Mexican state of Jalisco. It is part of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area. Zapopan is the most populous municipality in the state of Jalisco. Zapopan is notable for the Basilica of Our Lady of Zapopan, which houses a 16th-century image of the Virgin Mary. The statue has been recognized by various popes and was visited by Pope John Paul II. The municipality is also home to the Centro Cultural Universitario as well as the Estadio Akron, C.D. Guadalajara's official stadium. The name Zapopan means "among the sapote trees". It derives from the Nahuatl word tzapotl "sapote" with the addition of the locative suffix -pan. The municipality was historically known as 'ex Villa Maicera' (former corn village) due to its past prominence in corn production. The municipal seal, designed by José Trinidad Laris in 1941, commemorates the 400th anniversary of Zapopan's founding.