Chihuahua is the biggest state of Mexico, measure 245,612 km2 (94,830 mile2) and a population of approximately 3’052,907 inhabitants. It is divided in two huge natural areas: The North Central plateau region and the Sierra Madre Occidental region.
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Chihuahua México
The Chihuahua name come from the tarahumara “Chihuahua”, that means “Place where sack are made”, even though some linguist assure that it means “Dry and sandy place”.
Due to its topographic shape, Chihuahua has different climates: on the north is mild, on the east is dry and desert-like, and on the south semi warm. On the western area is mountain extreme and sub-humid that vary depending on the elevation. At the basis of the Sierra Madre is semidry.
Main attractions of Chihuahua
Casas Grandes Paquime
Casas Grandes is the most important archaeological zone of the northern part of the country in Chihuahua, Mexico, also known as Paquime.
Casas Grandes is found in a valley without vegetation on a surface of more than 50 hectares; its buildings and ceremonial monuments were constructed with clay using a system of percolated mud.
Cuarenta Casas
Cuarenta Casas archaeological zone is located in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico; is a very interesting place; in the cliff of “El Garabato” stream there is a series of caves, the most important one La Cueva de las Ventanas (the windows cave), because of its complex constructions.
In 1980 the enclosures of this cave were enumerated for their description and study.
The enclosure number two is very important, because of the existence of a structure in the high part with small windows from which you can watch an extensive area.
It has several rooms, large spaces for ceremonies and granaries made with herb covered with mud. It was constructed between 1060 and 1205 AD.
Basaseachic
The Basaseachic Waterfall is located in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico; is a 310 mts. height (the highest in Mexico), is one of the Country’s natural wonders, you can descend to its bottom where there is a place known as “La Ventana”.
Batopilas
The Batopilas Canyon in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico; is 462 mts. above sea level, is located 118 km south of Creel by a surfaced highway, and is surrounded by abundant vegetation.
Two narrow land zones between the river and the cliffs, allow mango, guava, and avocado trees to grow here in abundance.
The approximate driving time between Creel and Batopilas is 7 hours. This journey is an unforgettable experience which gives us the opportunity to see one of the world’s most beautiful and spectacular ravines.
Ciudad Juarez
Ciudad Juarez is the State’s most important city, previously known as Paso del Norte. In Ciudad Juarez you can enjoy bullfights, horse, greyhound and car races; Charro shows and golf courses.
- Interesting places are:
- The Anthropology and History Museum
- The PRONOF Center
- The Juarez Monument
- The Monumental Bullring
- The Alberto Balderas Bullring
- The Ex-border Customs Building
The old townhall, built in 1947, inside of which there is an interesting mural which narrates the history of the founding of Ciudad Juarez, this mural was painted by Jose Guadalaupe Diaz in 1977
The Archaeology Museum located in the Chamizal Park, offers an interesting collection of fosils found in this region
Creel
Creel is an important Chihuahua – Pacifico railway station. This train travels through Barranca del Cobre to Batopilas where you can visit the Neo-Gothic-Style Tarahumara Jesuit Mission; a lookout called Las Piedras where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the region, populated with pines and firs. There is transportation service to the ravines.
Coyame
Coyame is located 142 km. from Chuihuahua City in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico by the federal highway 16.Coyame is famous for its mineral springs, whose water is bottled for drinking.
1 km. south, by dirt road, you can visit the Coyame Caverns, with its 15 rooms with stalactites, stalagmites and crystallizations that only compare in beauty with the Cacahuamilpa caves in the State of Guerrero.
Nearby the town you can fish in the Conchos River and hunt at the surroundings; Thirty-one km. northeast,is situated the Peguis lookout over the canyon where the waters of the Conchos river fall forming a beautiful cascade.
Cuauhtemoc
Cuauhtemoc is an important cattle and farming town known as the Granero del Estado.
To the east of Cuauhtemoc, on highway 16, there is a turn off that after a scant 10 km northward leads to the towns of Anahuac and Bustillos and La Laguna de Bustillos, where you can engage in water sports and admire the duck, geese and crane, fowl in danger of extinction and here in Cuauhtemoc are cared and protected.
Divisadero Barrancas
Divisadero Barrancas del Cobre is located 44 km. southeast of Creel (by train) in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
It is a railway station where the exciting descent to the Urique river begins. During this tour you can admire the Tararecua, Urique and Del Cobre ravines; there are horses and jeep transportation, as well as a lookout offering an impressive panoramic view.
The Chihuahua – Pacifico train makes a 20 – minute stop at Divisadero Barrancas del Cobre to enjoy a wonderful Sierra Tarahumara view with its gigantic cliffs and woods.
Hidalgo del Parral
Hidalgo del Parral is situated 301 km. south of Chihuahua City by the federal highway 45, in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico.
The short route for reaching it is the Chihuahua – Satevo – Parral Highway of 222 kms. Hidalgo del Parral was founded in 1631.
Lago de Arareko
This prodigious area offers incredible beauty to the visitor: The Arareko lagoon, the Batosarachi waterfall, the Valley of the Gods, the Valley of the Mushrooms, the Barranca del Cobre mountain passages which are refuge four cougars and deers.
But above all, Arareko is full of mysterious magnetism from the ceremonies and customs of the local raramuri people. People who love their land to such extent that they say their life has no meaning without the vital strength provided by the nature surrounding them.
Paraiso Peñitas
Paraiso Peñitas, the peaceful waters of the Peñitas dam reflect the beauty of this mountainous landscape captured by an iridescent mountain range.
This tourist center is managed by 43 women who own this land. It has 11 rustic comfortable and spacious cabins with two full-sized beds each, a small living room and a fireplace. These two-level wooden cabins are strategically located around the dam.
Conclusion
The state of Chihuahua is a completely magical place that you have to visit during your visit to Mexico and without a doubt, one of the places that will impress, enchant and surprise you with its great deserts, its climates, its towns, its regions and its people.
