Chihuahua, city, capital of Chihuahua
state, N Mexico. It lies in a valley almost encircled by hills. Chihuahua is
the commercial and processing center of a vast central area. Agriculture,
livestock, and mining are the economic mainstays of the surrounding region.
The revolutionist Hidalgo y
Costilla was executed in the city in 1811. Chihuahua was
occupied briefly by U.S. forces in 1846 during the Mexican War and served as
the headquarters of Benito Juárez until French troops took
it in 1865. It has many American residents. There are several prime examples
of 18th-century colonial architecture, including the aqueduct.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Mexican Political Geography
