Coahuila

Coahuila
Name	Coahuila
Settlement type	State
Coordinates	27, 18, 08, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Mexico
Established title	Admission
Established date	May 7, 1824
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Saltillo
Leader title	Governor
Leader name	Manolo Jiménez Salinas
Area total km2	151563
Population total	3,146,771
Population as of	2020
Population density km2	auto
Population rank	16th
Population demonym	Coahuilense
Timezone	CST
Utc offset	-6
Timezone DST	CDT
Utc offset DST	-5
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	25
Area code type	Area codes
Iso code	MX-COA
Website	coahuila.gob.mx

Coahuila, officially the Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza, is one of the 32 federal entities of Mexico. Located in the northern part of the country, it shares a long border with the U.S. state of Texas and is bordered by the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Durango, Zacatecas, Nuevo León, and San Luis Potosí. Its capital and largest city is Saltillo, while other major urban centers include Torreón, Monclova, and Piedras Negras. The state is known for its vast desert landscapes, significant industrial base, and pivotal role in Mexican history.

Geography

The state's terrain is predominantly arid, forming part of the Chihuahuan Desert, one of the largest deserts in North America. Major mountain ranges include the Sierra Madre Oriental, which runs through the southeastern part of the state, and the Sierra de Arteaga. Key water sources are the Nazas River and the Aguanaval River, which support agriculture in the Comarca Lagunera region shared with Durango. The Cuatro Ciénegas valley is a federally protected area renowned for its unique biodiversity and pristine pools, often compared to primordial Earth. Other notable natural features include the Candela Canyon and the Don Martín Dam.

History

The area was originally inhabited by nomadic indigenous groups such as the Coahuiltecan peoples. Spanish colonization began in the late 16th century with expeditions led by Alberto del Canto and the founding of Saltillo in 1577. It was part of the Nueva Vizcaya and later the Nuevo Reino de León before becoming the Province of Coahuila. The region was a focal point during the Mexican War of Independence and later the Texas Revolution, which led to the secession of Texas. During the Mexican Revolution, it was the site of major battles, including the Battle of Torreón, and was the home state of revolutionary leader Venustiano Carranza, who drafted the Plan of Guadalupe and became President of Mexico.

Demographics

According to the 2020 census by INEGI, the state has a population of over 3.1 million inhabitants. The most populous cities are the metropolitan area of Torreón-Gómez Palacio, Saltillo, and Monclova. There is a notable presence of Mennonites in the Cuatro Ciénegas area and descendants of Confederate settlers in towns like Hidalgo. While Spanish is the dominant language, indigenous languages like Kickapoo are spoken in some communities. The state also has a significant population of international migrants due to its industrial centers and border proximity.

Economy

Coahuila has a diversified and robust economy, leading Mexico in automotive manufacturing and metallurgy. It hosts major industrial plants for global corporations like General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford Motor Company in Saltillo and Ramos Arizpe. The city of Monclova is a national hub for steel production, dominated by Grupo Acerero del Norte (GAN). The Comarca Lagunera region is a vital agricultural area, particularly for dairy production and cotton. Mining, especially of coal and fluorite, remains historically significant, with operations near Múzquiz and Sabinas. The state also has a growing aerospace sector and a substantial maquiladora industry along the border.

Government and politics

The state government is divided into three branches, as outlined in the Political Constitution of the Free and Sovereign State of Coahuila de Zaragoza. Executive power is vested in a Governor, elected for a single six-year term; the current governor is Manolo Jiménez Salinas of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI). Legislative power rests with the unicameral Congress of Coahuila, while the judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court of Justice of Coahuila. The state is divided into 38 municipalities, each headed by a municipal president. Coahuila has been a traditional stronghold of the PRI, though parties like the National Action Party (PAN) and the National Regeneration Movement (MORENA) have gained influence.

Culture

The state's culture reflects its desert frontier heritage and industrial modernity. Saltillo is famous for its traditional sarapes and the Museo del Desierto, which showcases regional paleontology and ecology. Notable cultural events include the Festival Internacional de las Artes in Torreón and the Feria de Saltillo. The state has produced influential figures such as revolutionary Francisco I. Madero, poet Manuel Acuña, and musician Vicente Fernández. Culinary specialties include cortadillo de res, pan de pulque, and asado de puerco. The Cinemex cinema chain and the Periódico Zócalo newspaper are prominent cultural enterprises founded in the state.

Category:States of Mexico Category:Coahuila