Saltillo is the capital city of the state of Coahuila, Mexico. As of 2005, Saltillo had an estimated population of 591,000 people, rising to 637,000 if the full Metropolitan Area is considered, making it the 20th biggest metro area in the country. The metro area is composed of Saltillo, Ramos Arizpe, and Arteaga.
 
 

GEOGRAPHY
Map of Coahuila, Mexico, where Saltillo is locatedSaltillo is located at 25°42′N 101°00′W. El Cerro del Pueblo overlooks the city. The city stands elevated at 1600 meters (5248 feet), making it cooler and windier than its nearby city, Monterrey. Saltillo lies near the city of Arteaga and near the Chihuahuan Desert.

HISTORY
Mountains of SaltilloSaltillo was founded in 1577 by Spanish colonists. The Tlaxcaltecas also colonized there. It is the oldest city in northern Mexico. In 1824, Saltillo was made the capital of Coahuila and the state of Texas (under Mexican control during that time) until the war with the United States. The city is flanked by the Zapalinamé mountains, which are part of the Sierra Madre Oriental. There is a legend that says that the leader of the native Indians, whose name was Zapalinamé, can be seen in the shape of the mountains.

ECONOMY
Saltillo's most famous exports are Saltillo tile and the locally woven multi-colored sarapes. There is also the automotive industry, with two major assembly plants (one General Motors and the other Chrysler), two engine facilities and a transmissions plant. Saltillo is Saltillo Sarapeshome to the Grupo Industrial Saltillo, an important manufacturing conglomerate that makes home appliances, silverware, and auto parts. During the early 20th century, Saltillo was called the Athens of Mexico due to its number of famous intellectuals. Nowadays, is considered the Detroit of Mexico because of the importance of its automotive industry, including huge Daimler Chrysler and General Motors plants.

FAMOUS PLACES
Alameda Zaragoza, a city park Alameda Zaragoza is the largest park in the city and has an artificial lake with the shape of the Mexican Republic.

The most representative buildings are the cathedral, the Palacio de Gobierno and the Ateneo Fuente. The city has several renowned museums such as the Bird Museum and the Desert Museum (for the Chihuahuan desert) among others. Several hotels, shopping centers and chain stores serve the metro area.

EDUCATION
Saltillo's main universities are the Universidad Autónoma de Coahuila, the Instituto Tecnológico de Saltillo, and the Tec de Monterrrey Campus Saltillo.

TRANSPORTATION
Flights to SaltilloSaltillo Metropolitan Area air traffic is served by Plan de Guadalupe International Airport. It takes 15 minutes to get from downtown Saltillo to the airport. It has several flights per day to Houston, and Mexico City. There is a comprehensive bussing system in Saltillo along with many taxis.

For more information about Saltillo, Mexico visit http://www.saltillo.gob.mx/.
     
 
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