Chihuahua City

The city of Chihuahua or Chihuahua City is the capital of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. As of 2020, the city had a population of 925,762 people, and the surrounding metropolitan area had 988,065 people.

Chihuahua City is known for its high ranking in human and social development in Mexico. In 2020, a report showed that the city's development level was very high, placing it among the best in the country, just after areas around Monterrey and Mexico City.

The main work in the city includes many types of industry, such as making heavy and light goods, as well as products for everyday use. The city also has an airport called General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport.

History

The city of Chihuahua was founded on October 12, 1709, by Spanish explorers Blas Cano de los Rios and Antonio Deza y Ulloa. It was originally named El Real de Minas de San Francisco de Cuéllar. The town became known as San Felipe el Real de Chihuahua in 1718 and later shortened to Chihuahua in 1823.

The city grew because it was where the Chuviscar and Sacramento rivers meet and lay midway between the Río Bravo del Norte (Rio Grande) and the important mining city of Hidalgo del Parral. During the 18th century, Chihuahua often served as the practical capital of Nueva Vizcaya, as many governors preferred living there over the official capital, Durango.

Missionaries played a big role in the city's history, acting as a bridge for those traveling to and from the mountainous region where the Tarahumara people lived.

During significant periods in Mexico's history, such as the War of Independence, the Mexican–American War, and the French intervention, Chihuahua was an important location. The city was also a key place during the Mexican Revolution, serving at times as a base for Pancho Villa's army. Today, the Historical Museum of the Mexican Revolution near downtown Chihuahua remembers this time.

Throughout the 20th century, Chihuahua grew in population and became more linked to the U.S. because of its border location. The city evolved from a trade center for cattle and farm products to a place with many factories, especially after foreign manufacturing plants began appearing in the 1970s. The city's economy boomed in the 1990s, making it one of the wealthiest areas in Mexico.

Demographics

As of 2020, Chihuahua City had a population of 925,762 people. This is an increase from 809,232 people in 2010. The city has a high literacy rate of 98%, and about 35% of the people are 14 years old or younger. Most people, around 60%, are between 15 and 65 years old, with 5% being older than 65.

Chihuahua City is known for its progress in human and social development. It is considered the second most competitive city in the country, just after Monterrey, and the most socially competitive city.

Tallest buildings

See also: List of tallest buildings in Chihuahua, Chihuahua

37 Chihuahua tower 27 floors

Landmarks

Even though many old buildings were removed in the 1970s to make room for wider streets, Chihuahua City still has some important monuments from the 1800s and early 1900s. Some interesting places to visit include:

• Temple of San Francisco, started in 1717 and finished in 1789
• Federal Palace of Chihuahua, now a museum
• Museo Casa Juarez, the house where President Juarez lived
• Central Park "El Palomar," now the city's largest park
• Mansion Creel
• Mansion Terrazas
• Mansion 'Quinta Carolina'-Now in semi-ruined condition, in process of restoration.
• Torre Legislativa de Chihuahua - Fronts on the Plaza de Armas
• The Government Palace
• City Hall
• Dancing Fountains north of the Federal Palace
• Mansion 'Quinta Gameros'
• Church of Santa Rita
• Ave. Zarco Residential Area
• Colonial Aqueduct

Neighborhoods

Main article: Colonias of Chihuahua, Chihuahua

The city of Chihuahua is divided into areas called colonias. These areas serve different purposes such as living, shopping, working, and learning. Recently, new gated residential zones called "fraccionamientos" have been built to meet the growing need for homes.

Malls

• Fashion Mall
• Paseo Central
• Plaza Galerías
• Plaza Sendero
• Distrito 1
• Cantera Cinco
• Tres vias shopping center
• Plaza San Felipe
• La Liber
• Plaza Hollywood
• Plaza Victoria
• Plaza Vallarta
• Plaza Providencia
• Plaza Tolsa

Parks

• El Palomar
• Ciudad Deportiva
• Deportiva Sur
• Parque Metropolitano El Rejon
• Parque Lerdo

There are three country clubs in the city: San Francisco Country Club, Campestre Chihuahua and Altozano.

Media

Chihuahua City has many ways for people to get online and watch TV. There are several internet services, both public and private, that people can use, including Chihuahua Mobile for Wi-Fi.

The city also has many TV options. Izzi Telecom provides cable television with digital and high-definition service. Totalplay Telecommunications offers IPTV through fiber optics. There are also satellite television options like SKY Mexico, SKY Mexico VeTV, Dish Mexico, and Star TV Mexico.

There are several local radio stations and newspapers in Chihuahua City. Some newspapers include El Ágora, El Diario de Chihuahua, and El Heraldo de Chihuahua. Digital newspapers are also available online.

Cable and private televisión

The state capital features cable television with the name "[Izzi Telecom]", which offers Digital triple play and High definition (H.D) service along with Totalplay Telecommunications offering IPTV via fiber optics in addition to the systems satellite television "SKY Mexico' SKY", "SKY Mexico VeTV", "Dish Mexico" and "Star TV Mexico".

Radio stations

'Modulated Amplitude

Frequency modulation

ND: No disponible

City newspapers

• El Ágora.
• El Diario de Chihuahua.
• El Heraldo de Chihuahua by Organización Editorial Mexicana.
• El Heraldo de la Tarde by Organización Editorial Mexicana.
• El Observador.
• El Peso.
• El Pueblo.
• La Crónica Hoy Chihuahua.
• NotiBús.

Digital newspapers of the city

• Acento Noticias .
• Al Contacto.
• Al Instante Noticias.
• ChihuahuaDigital.
• eldigital.com.mx
• entrelíneas.
• Información Total.
• La Crónica de Chihuahua.
• La Jirafa / e-magazine.
• La Polaka.
• La Opción de Chihuahua.
• OMNIA.
• Péndulo.
• Periódico Causa Chihuahua.
• Tiempo.
• Vocero Digital Archived.

Economy

Chihuahua is one of the biggest cities in Mexico and is very busy with factories. It has nine big areas for factories and many companies that make things, providing jobs for around 45,000 people. Some well-known companies there include Ford, Sumitomo Electrical, Honeywell, Hallmark, and LG Electronics.

The whole state of Chihuahua is also a strong economic area. It has many factories and plants, and a big part of its work comes from making things and selling goods. The state also has lots of forests and is important for growing apples, nuts, and raising cattle and sheep.

Contemporary life

Chihuahua City has many industrial areas where foreign companies have factories, called maquiladoras, that employ thousands of people. These factories need skilled workers, and universities like the Universidád Autónoma de Chihuahua, the Instituto Tecnológico de Chihuahua, and Instituto Tecnológico de Chihuahua II help train them. There are also private universities, including the Chihuahua campus of ITESM.

The city’s shopping and nightlife are growing, especially in the downtown area. Many old houses have been turned into fun places to dance and listen to live music. Popular restaurants and fast-food places from the U.S. can be found around the city, especially near Universidad Avenue, the Periferico de la Juventud, and the Libertad Street Pedestrian Way, where young people and professionals like to go.

Climate

Chihuahua City is located in the Chihuahuan Desert and has a hot semi-arid climate. Because it is high up—about 1,500 metres (4,900 feet) above sea level—it is not as hot as other parts of the desert.

In winter, temperatures are mild. The coldest month is January, with daytime temperatures around 18.1 °C (64.6 °F) and nighttime temperatures around 2 °C (35.6 °F). Occasionally, it can get much colder, below −10 °C (14 °F). Frost is common at night during winter, and there is very little rain from December to March. Snow is rare, happening only a couple of times each year.

Summer is hot, with June being the warmest month. Daytime temperatures often reach 33 °C (91 °F) and can sometimes go above 38 °C (100 °F). Most of the rain falls during the summer monsoon, bringing afternoon storms, hail, and thunderstorms. Even with the rain, days stay warm, averaging around 30 °C (86 °F). Humidity is higher in the summer.

The months in between—March, April, October, and November—are unpredictable. Temperatures can swing from very warm days to cold nights. Strong winds sometimes stir up dust and sandstorms.

Geography

Chihuahua City is shaped like a large letter L, with flat lands to the north and hills on both sides, as well as in the south. A main road called Teofilo Borunda Avenue runs east-to-west, following the natural path of the Chuviscar River. This road meets another big road called Periferico de la Juventud, which runs north-to-south.

The city has three important hills: Cerro Grande, Cerro Coronel, and Santa Rosa. Santa Rosa is completely covered by the city, and Cerro Grande has a big cross that lights up every Christmas. To the east and northeast of the city are the Sierra Nombre de Dios hills, and there are special caves called the Nombre de Dios Caverns. Far to the east and south is the General Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport and roads leading to the border crossings at Presidio, Texas and Ojinaga, Chihuahua.

Transportation

Chihuahua is served by Roberto Fierro Villalobos International Airport (IATA Airport code: CUU), which connects to major cities in Mexico and international destinations such as Denver, Dallas, Houston, and Phoenix. It is the largest airport in the state for both cargo and passengers and is currently being expanded.

The city is also the starting point for the Chihuahua–Pacific Railroad, ending in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, and is served by Ferromex, a private Mexican railroad. There is a large central bus depot on the south side of the city for many regional, state, and international bus companies.

Chihuahua has a bus rapid-transit system called Bowí Chihuhaua, with one line covering 12.7 miles and 44 stations, plus many extra lines reaching the suburbs. The city government, working with the Secretariat of Communications and Transportation, is building two more bus lines and adding more stations. Riders now use special electronic cards to pay. Plans were announced to offer free Wifi at all 44 stations to help everyone get online more easily.

The city's roads and main streets are always being improved with new roads and bridges to manage growing traffic. Chihuahua has many taxi companies and also offers ride-sharing services like Uber and DiDi.

Important highways passing through Chihuahua include Highway 45, connecting to Ciudad Juárez to the north and Delicias to the south, and Highway 16, linking to Hermosillo to the west and the border town of Ojinaga to the east.

Crime

See also: Operation Chihuahua

Chihuahua City has faced challenges with property crimes, such as theft and graffiti. There have also been issues with drug-related violence, including some attacks on law enforcement. Federal police and army forces have worked in the city to help reduce these problems. Since 2010, rates of property crime and murder have gone down, making the city safer than it was before.

Sports

Chihuahua City is home to the Dorados de Chihuahua, a team in Mexico's National Professional Basketball League. The city used to have a baseball team also called the Dorados.

In 2010, the city hosted a big walking race where athletes from around the world competed in distances from 20 to 50 kilometers. In 2019, a new football team called the Caudillos de Chihuahua was created, and they play in the city's Olympic Stadium. The city also has a soccer team called the Chihuahua Savage that plays in a league in the United States.

Tourism

The city of Chihuahua has many places for visitors to see. You can explore museums, such as the museums in Chihuahua, and important buildings like the beautiful baroque Metropolitan Cathedral from the 1700s, and the Government Palace from the early 1800s, both located around the Plaza de Armas.

There are also special tours on the "Trolley el Tarahumara" bus that visit the main sights in the downtown area. Parks like Central Park "El Palomar" feature interesting sculptures and a large flag. The city is famous for its artwork, with many statues and murals showing the history of the area. You can also visit science museums like the Semilla Museo Centro de Ciencia y Tecnología, designed for kids to learn and have fun.

Twin towns and sister cities

Chihuahua has two sister cities, as chosen by Sister Cities International.