State of Chihuahua

Photo by Guillermo Aldana Click on the image for larger version

Chihuahua, derived from the Nahuatl word Xicuahua meaning “a dry, sandy place,” is the largest state in Mexico, where monuments of an industrialized society coexist with traditional indigenous groups who inhabited the state even before the Spaniards’ arrival. It borders the United States as well as the Mexican states of Coahuila, Durango, Sinaloa and Sonora.

Chihuahua is divided into three main regions, all offering visitors a variety of interesting activities – the central plateau, with plains and mining areas; the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, featuring canyons and ravines; and the desert zone, with its sand dunes, archeological sites and gorgeous sunsets.

Today, the Tepehuas, Pimas, Garajios and the Tarahumaras are the only indigenous groups still remaining in Chihuahua, with the Tarahumara far outnumbering the others at a population of approximately 70,000. Many of the Tarahumaras still live in caves, nestled in the canyons of the Sierra Madre Occidental.

Cattle ranching and agriculture are important industries in Chihuahua State. In recent years, the state has become the country’s leading producer of apples, walnuts, oats, cotton and jalapeños. And in spring, peach trees, with their aromatic blossoms, color the landscape throughout the state in pinks and fuchsias.

Photo by Carlos Sanchez Click on the image for larger version

The state’s major attraction, by far, is its group of canyons and ravines known as the Barrancas del Cobre (Copper Canyon), four times larger and one and a half times deeper than the Grand Canyon, located on the steepest part of the western range of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. A perfect way to explore this natural marvel is on the Pacific-Chihuahua Railway (also known as El Chepe) that runs from Los Mochis in Sinaloa State to Chihuahua City.

The capital city of Chihuahua, with its western/colonial flavor is a bustling industrial center of almost a million people, located in the center of the state. The enormous statue of Chihuahua native Anthony Quinn, with arms outstretched, keeps watch over this growing city. Chihuahua’s history is depicted on the breathtaking murals located in the main plaza of the capitol, built in 1892, and where the famous priest-turned-revolutionary Miguel Hidalgo was executed by a firing squad in 1811.

Photo by Guillermo Aldana Click on the image for larger version

Chihuahua City features several interesting museums, including the Museum of the Revolution, former home of Pancho Villa, a renowned leader during the Mexican Revolution of 1910. The early 20th-century French-style mansion of mining magnate Manuel Gameros, called La Quinta Gameros, is another popular site and houses the works of famous local artists as well as an impressive collection of art-nouveau furniture. Other interesting sites include the 18th-century cathedral, the Museum of Sacred Art, as well as the Center of Contemporary Art. The government-run Casa de las Artesanias is an excellent place to purchase regional handicrafts made by the Tarahumara Indians among others. Chihuahua City also features an active nightlife and several excellent restaurants and steak houses offering regional specialties and international cuisine, with the specialty being beef, of course.

Other tourist attractions in Chihuahua State include the prehispanic zone of Paquime, located in Casas Grandes; Hidalgo del Parral, the former capital of Nueva Vizcaya (one of New Spain’s provinces); and the mining towns of San Francisco del Oro, Santa Barbara and Valle de Allende. Cuauhtemoc is also an interesting city, home to thousands of Mennonite farmers who came to the area from Canada after the Mexican Revolution and still sell their crops and famous cheese throughout Mexico.

For travelers interested in finding unique handicrafts, Mata Ortiz is a small village located just an hour’s drive from Casas Grandes and famous the world over for its hand-made pottery called Mata Ortiz or Casas Grandes pottery. The artist Juan Quezada is the famous figure behind the proliferation of this unique style of pottery of Paquimé origin, whose pieces have been displayed in art galleries and museums on an international scale. Quezada’s works, along with a myriad of other pieces from local artists are available for viewing and purchase in Mata Ortiz, with prices ranging from U$S 1 to U$S1000 and higher. Quezada’s pieces are considerably more expensive than those of lesser-known artists.

And yes, Chihuahua dogs can be found in Chihuahua, with top dollar being paid for the smallest version, the “bolsillo,” or the pocket-sized dog.