This new culture is best known for their jewelry and the historical records they created. In the late 1400 s the more aggressive Aztecs arrived, however they were unable to completely dominate the area. One hundred years later, the first Spaniards arrived, eventually controlling the area just as they controlled the rest of Mexico. Oaxaca reflects the indigenous portion of Mexico. It is the Indian Mexico, with the largest population of indigenous people of any Mexican state.
More people here speak indigenous languages than anywhere else.
Although Spanish is the primary and official language, Zapotec is the dominant Indian language. During the 1920 revolution against Spain, Oaxaca remained loyal not to Mexico, but to Spain. Despite not joining in the revolution, two of Mexico s greatest leaders came from Oaxaca, Benito Juarez and Porfirio Diaz. Today Oaxaca is one of Mexico s poorest states. The area remains a land of small towns and villages.