Hidalgo del Parral is a city and seat of the municipality of Hidalgo del Parral in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. It is located in the southern part of the state, from the state capital, the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua. As of 2015, the city of Hidalgo del Parral had a population of 109,510 inhabitants,

Geology

Hidalgo del Parral mushroomed from the base of a hill of silver known as the Cerro la Prieta. The hill, is a part of the eastern foothill belt of the Sierra Madre Occidental, characterized by thick eroded deposits of tertiary volcanics. The bed rocks of both sedimentary and volcanic origin supply both lead and lead-free silver vein bearing ores.

Despite legend, as early as 1567, the silver mines at Santa Barbara were established in the territory of the Conchos people. However, in 1631, a vast new silver strike was made in what is now southern Chihuahua. Later, in 1640, it was declared "Capital of the World of Silver" by monarch Philip IV of Spain, at the very height of the Spanish Empire, that included territories in Eastern Asia, Italy, and the Low Countries.

The development of Parral's association with its grain farms and stock ranches was based on the region's major physical characteristics and the necessity for agriculture to sustain the region's growing population. Under colonial authority the region was developed as a permanent mine-ranch settlement complex, requiring large amounts of food and labor. and it currently has one local station, XHMH-TV channel 13.

Parral is often associated with several historical figures, including Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa, who was assassinated in Parral on July 20, 1923, and initially buried here; and border ruffian "Dirty" Dave Rudabaugh, a sometime friend and foe of Billy the Kid.

Locals and visitors of Parral can visit the Palacio de Alvardo, a late nineteenth century house belonging to a mining baron, as well as, if accompanied by a guide, the mine itself.

Notable people

  • Gloria and Nellie Campobello, ballet dancers and choreographers. Born in Ocampo, Durango, spent their childhood in Parral.
  • Alex Dey, motivational speaker.
  • César Duarte, politician.
  • Consuelo Duval, actress.
  • Manuel Gómez Morín, politician, founding member of the National Action Party, born in Batopilas, Chihuahua, then moved to Parral.
  • Juan Gómez-Quiñones, historian, professor of history, poet, and activist. Co-editor of the Plan de Santa Bárbara.
  • Linda Helú Atta, Carlos Slim's mother.
  • Humberto Mariles, show jumping champion in the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, where he won gold medals both in Individual Jumping and in Team Jumping.
  • Carlos Montemayor, novelist, poet, essayist and literary critic.
  • Adrián Mora, professional footballer, currently playing for Toluca.
  • Antonio Ortiz Mena, politician and economist. Director of the Mexican Social Security Institute from 1952 to 1958, Secretary of Finance and Public Credit from 1958 to 1970, president of the Inter-American Development Bank from 1971 to 1988.
  • José Fernando Ramírez, historian.
  • Yair Rodríguez, mixed martial artist, former Interim UFC Featherweight Champion.
  • Misael Rodríguez, bronze medal, boxing men's middleweight at the 2016 Summer Olympics
  • Rafael Rangel Sostmann, rector of the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.
  • Aurora Reyes Flores, painter, first female exponent of Mexican muralism.
  • Alfredo Ripstein, film producer.
  • Jesús Gabriel Sandoval Chávez, professional boxer.
  • Vanessa Zambotti, judoka, Gold medalist in the Pan American Games, Rio de Janeiro 2007.

Geography

The city is located in the southern part of the state, from the state capital, the city of Chihuahua, Chihuahua.

Climate

Parral has an altitude-moderated semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk) with rainfall limited to heavy thunderstorms during the hot summer months. During the dry season from October to May, days range from mild to hot and nights from chilly to mild. Frosts are common though not persistent in the winter.

Sister cities

  • Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
  • West Kanpur, India

References

  • Link to tables of population data from Census of 2005 INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática<br />