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Coahuila

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Coahuila is a very large state in Mexico. It is the third largest state in the country.

Plaza Mayor Torreón 05
Plaza Mayor Torreón 05

The state has many different types of land. The Sierra Madre Oriental mountains run through the middle. These mountains have high pine-oak forests.

Pinus ponderosa 9681
Pinus ponderosa 9681

To the north, the state touches the United States. The Rio Grande river marks this border. The state also sits near Texas.

Aquila chrysaetos Flickr
Aquila chrysaetos Flickr

Nature in Coahuila changes depending on where you go. The eastern part has dry shrublands. The west sits on the Mexican Plateau. This area is part of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Cylindropuntia spinosior, with flower, Albuquerque
Cylindropuntia spinosior, with flower, Albuquerque

There is also a large basin called the Bolsón de Mapimí. Rivers like the Nazas and Aguanaval flow into lakes here. Some areas are very dry, but rivers help farmers grow cotton.

Figa de moro 01
Figa de moro 01

Many animals call these places home. You might see a mountain lion or a black bear.

MountainLion
MountainLion
Schwarzbär-Omega Park
Schwarzbär-Omega Park

You could also spot deer or prairie dogs.

Deer running
Deer running
Cynomys ludovicianus
Cynomys ludovicianus

The history of Coahuila is very long. Its name comes from native words. Some say it means "flying serpent." Others think it means "place of many trees."

Acer grandidentatum branches
Acer grandidentatum branches

Spanish explorers came to the area many years ago. They found the first settlement in 1577. Saltillo was settled in 1586.

Edificio D Ibero Torreón
Edificio D Ibero Torreón

Later, the state was part of a larger group with Texas. Texas stayed part of the state until 1836. In the 1800s, the state faced many changes and raids.

Today, many people live in Coahuila. About 3,146,771 people live there. Saltillo is the capital city. Torreón is the largest city.

Plaza Mayor Torreón 05
Plaza Mayor Torreón 05

Monclova is the third largest city. Other big cities include Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña. The state is divided into 38 municipalities. Most people in the state are Mestizos. The population is not very crowded. There are only about 15 people for every square kilometer.

Coahuila is a very important place for work. It is the top mining state in Mexico. It holds 95% of the country's coal.

Northern black-tailed rattlesnake
Northern black-tailed rattlesnake

The city of Torreón is a huge producer of silver. It is also the largest gold producer in Mexico. Many cars are made in the southeast. Companies like General Motors have plants there. The state also produces a lot of milk. One company provides 40% of the milk in Mexico.

Opossum with grapes
Opossum with grapes
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🖼️ Images & Media (21)
Himno de Coahuila.ogg
File:PRI logo (Mexico).svg
PRI logo (Mexico).svg
File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg
Morena logo (Mexico).svg
File:PT Party (Mexico).svg
PT Party (Mexico).svg
File:Acer grandidentatum branches.jpg
Acer grandidentatum branches.jpg
File:Figa de moro 01.JPG
Figa de moro 01.JPG
File:Singapore Botanic Gardens Cactus Garden 2.jpg
Singapore Botanic Gardens Cactus Garden 2.jpg
File:Cylindropuntia spinosior, with flower, Albuquerque.jpg
Cylindropuntia spinosior, with flower,...
File:Pinus ponderosa 9681.JPG
Pinus ponderosa 9681.JPG
File:Schwarzbär-Omega Park.jpg
Schwarzbär-Omega Park.jpg
File:MountainLion.jpg
MountainLion.jpg
File:Tamiasciurus douglasii 000.jpg
Tamiasciurus douglasii 000.jpg

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