Colima is a small state, sharing a border with the Mexican states of Jalisco to the north and east, and Michoacán to the south. To the west Colima borders the Pacific Ocean. In addition to the capital city of Colima, the state's main cities include Manzanillo and Tecomán. The state has an area of 5,455 square km, with an estimated population in 2003 of about 571,000 people.

The telenovela Contra viento y marea, starring Sebastian Rulli, Marlene Favela and Azela Robinson, takes places in the towns of Colima, Manzanillo and Cuyutlán, Armería.

Government and politics
The Constitution of the State of Colima provides that the government of Colima consists of three powers: the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.

Executive power rests in the Governor of Colima, who is directly elected by the citizens, using a secret ballot, to a 6-year term with no possibility of reelection. Legislative power rests in the Congress of Colima which is a unicameral legislature composed of 25 deputies. Judicial power is invested in the Superior Court of Justice of Colima.

Municipalities
See Main article: Municipalities of Colima
The State of Colima is divided into 10 municipalities, each headed by a municipal president (mayor). Municipalities are named after the city that serves as municipal seat; e.g. the municipial seat of the Municipality of Manzanillo is the City of Manzanillo. It has mountains.