The state of Colima is a small coastal state, the fourth smallest in the whole of Mexico, located in the Centre-West meso-region. It has the most active Pacific coast port of Mexico, Manzanillo, that with Colima City concentrate most of the state’s economic activity. It is well connected with other larger bordering states such as Jalisco and Michoacan. With a population of almost 578 000 inhabitants it is the second smallest state in Mexico in terms of population. The state is the tenth most dense, and has a relatively higher share of the population in urban areas. The state population is growing lower than the nation, at a rate of 0.8% from 2000-2005 versus 1.0% nationally. The state has somewhat higher education levels than the national average.