Chihuahua

Capital of Chihuahua state, Mexico, 1,285 km/800 mi northwest of Mexico City; population (2000 est) 671,800. It lies in the north of Mexico at an altitude of 1,402 m/4,600 ft, and was founded in 1707. It is the centre of both a mining district and a cattle raising area and has textile mills and smelting industries. The area is noted for breeding the small, short-haired dogs named after the town and state.

The University of Chihuahua was founded in 1954. The revolutionary leader Pancho Villa had his headquarters here during the early 20th century, and his home is a tourist attraction. There are many original colonial buildings, notably the 18th-century church of San Francisco.