Monclova

Santiago de la Monclova, more commonly known as Monclova (Spanish pronunciation: [moŋˈklo̞β̞a]), is a city and seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila. According to the 2010 INEGI census there were 198,819 inhabitants in the city and 216,206 in the municipality. Its metropolitan area (Monclova, Frontera, Castaños) has 294,191 inhabitants and has a population density of 29.88 inhabitants per square kilometers. Monclova is the third largest city in Coahuila (after Saltillo and Torreón).

History

Established on July 25, 1577, Monclova become the first city in the region known as Coahuila, and later known as the State of Coahuila.

During the colonial period and the first years of the 19th century, Monclova served as the capital of Nueva Extremadura. It remained the capital during the early years of Mexico's independence.

During the initial battle for Mexican Independence from Spain, fleeing rebel leaders who had been captured at the Wells of Bajan were first taken to Monclova before the long trip to the city of Chihuahua. The captured leaders were Juan Aldama, Ignacio Allende, Miguel Hidalgo, and Jose Mariano Jimenez.

Monclova Municipality

Monclova is one of the 38 municipalities of Coahuila, in north-eastern Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Monclova. The municipality covers an area of 1480 km².

As of 2005, the municipality had a total population of 200,160.

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