Coahuila

Coahuila, officially the Estado de Coahuila de Zaragoza, is a state in northern Mexico. Its capital is Saltillo, and its largest urban area is Torreón, part of the La Laguna region. The state covers about 151,600 square kilometers, ranking among Mexico’s larger states.

Geography and climate: Coahuila lies on the northern Mexican plateau and includes portions of the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Chihuahuan Desert. Much of the territory is arid or semi-arid, with higher elevations in the southeast. The Nazas and Aguanaval rivers drain the central region, sustaining irrigated agriculture in La Laguna.

History: The region was inhabited by indigenous groups before the Spanish arrived. It became part of the province of Nueva Vizcaya during the colonial era and, in 1824, was reorganized as the state of Coahuila y Texas within the Mexican federation. After Texas achieved independence, the state became known as Coahuila.

Demographics and economy: The state’s population is around three million. The economy is diversified, with mining and metal industries (including lead, zinc, and coal), manufacturing, energy, and agriculture. Torreón and the surrounding Laguna region are central to irrigation-based farming and industrial activity, while Saltillo serves as a political and cultural center. Tourism centers on colonial architecture, regional cuisine, and natural areas.

Government and culture: Coahuila is governed by an elected governor and state congress. The state has a frontier heritage reflected in its customs, festivals, and cuisine, and maintains protected areas and museums that showcase its history and natural resources.