Saltillo

Some researchers probably explored the Saltillo Valley in search of mines, however, it is known that the main source of wealth was the capture of the Chichimec Indians for sale in mining towns. The first group of researchers led by F. Cano (Francisco Cano), which explored the southern regions of Coahuila , arrived here in late 1568 and on behalf of the king annexed these territories to Spain. The following year, they began to distribute land to the colonists. In 1577 they founded a settlement, which they named after the traditional Spanish shawl, “Sarape de Saltillo”. The village was constantly threatened by a siege from the Indians. In 1591, the Spaniards resettled their Tlaxcal allies in order to colonize the surrounding lands.

After the independence of Mexico and the creation of the state of Coahuila, Saltillo in 1824 became the capital of this state. During the Texas War of Independence, Coahuila lost a large part of the territory, and Saltillo in 1847 witnessed one of the battles during the American intervention in Mexico.

According to 2005 data , 633 thousand people lived in Saltillo.

Commercial, transportation and mining center of Northern Mexico. Enterprises of non-ferrous metallurgy, agricultural engineering, textile, leather industry. It is connected by pipelines to oil and gas industry areas on the Gulf of Mexico .