Chihuahua
Chihuahua the largest state in Mexico in the north of the country. It’s also the name of its capital.
Its livestock production (Chihuahuan beef is sought after throughout Mexico) and mining (the state is the second largest silver producer in the country) made it also and the richest state.
It has a wide variety of beautiful landscapes like desert, mountains, plains and the beautiful Copper Canyons, also home to the Raramuri (meaning “those who run fast”, also known as Tarahumara) people, a Native American tribe that’s known for the social and spiritual importance that endurance running games and events plays in their culture.
Running also played an integral role in their hunting, in which they chased animals on foot.
They rebelled against the Spanish colonists in the 16th century but nevertheless Spanish established silver mines in the region, and the capital Chihuahua became a centre for trading.
Chihuahua city was captured and occupied by US troops in 1847 during the Mexican-American War. Most native populations having been assimilated or displaced by now, but the isolated communities of Raramuri (Tarahumara) and Tepehua still struggle to survive in the Copper Canyons.
Casas Grandes is the Paquimé Site.
Paquimé, Casas Grandes is a UN World Heritage archaeological site that played a key role in trade and cultural contacts between the Pueblo culture of the south-western United States and northern Mexico and the more advanced civilizations of Mesoamerica. The extensive remains, only part of which have been excavated, are clear evidence of the vitality of a culture which was perfectly adapted to its physical and economic environment, but which suddenly vanished at the time of the Spanish Conquest.
Cascada de Basaseachi National Park hosts the second highest waterfall in the country and is great for adventure tips like mountain biking, climbing and camping.
