Torreón facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Torreón, Coahuila
City
From top to bottom from left to right: the Alameda Ignacio Zaragoza, the Cristo de las Noas, the Puerta de Torreón, the Plaza Mayor and the Plaza de Armas in the Historic Center
Flag Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  La Ciudad de los Grandes Esfuerzos (The City of the Big Efforts)
Torreón, Coahuila Location in Coahuila Show map of Coahuila Torreón, Coahuila Location in Mexico Show map of Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Coahuila
Municipality	Torreón
Established	September 25, 1893
Declared city:	September 15, 1907
Elevation	1,120 m (3,670 ft)
Population  (2015)
• City	735,340 (2,021)
• Metro	1,497,734 (2,015)
GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)
• Year	2023
• Total (Metro)	$54.9 billion
• Per capita	$30,800
Time zone	UTC−6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code(s)	871
Website	Official site: http://www.torreon.gob.mx

Torreón (pronounced "toh-rreh-OHN") is a big city in the Mexican state of Coahuila. It is the main city of the Torreón Municipality. In 2021, about 735,340 people lived here. If you count the surrounding towns, the total population was almost 1.5 million in 2015. This makes it one of the largest city areas in Mexico.

Torreón is a very important place for business and industry in Mexico. It is part of a larger area called La Laguna or the Comarca Lagunera. This area includes other cities like Gómez Palacio and Lerdo in Durango. It is located in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Long ago, this area was mostly for raising animals. But with new ways to water the land, it became a key place for growing and processing cotton. Later, in the mid-1900s, Torreón grew into a city with many factories. Today, it has industries that make textiles, clothing, and metal products. Many big companies have businesses here, such as Peñoles, Motores John Deere, and Grupo Lala. You can also find many shopping malls like Galerias Laguna and Plaza Cuatro Caminos.

Torreón has its own airport, Francisco Sarabia International Airport. From here, you can fly to different cities in Mexico and the United States.

A Look at Torreón's Past

Archaeologists have found signs that people lived in the Torreón area as far back as 10,000 BC.

One of the few remaining towers (Torreones) in the city.

The first Spanish explorers arrived in 1566. But the city of Torreón really started to grow much later. It began around a large tower, called a Torreón, which was built to watch for floods from the Nazas River. The city also grew a lot when a railroad was built. This railroad connected Torreón to El Paso, a city on the US border. This connection brought a big boost to the local economy and caused many people to move here. The population jumped from just 200 people in 1892 to 34,000 by 1910. Torreón officially became a city in 1907.

During the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920), the city was taken over several times. A famous revolutionary general named Pancho Villa was one of the leaders who captured the city. After the revolution, Torreón continued to grow. At first, farming was the main business, but soon other industries also started up. On September 15, 2007, Torreón celebrated its 100th birthday as a city with many special events.

Understanding Torreón's Geography

Torreón is located near the southwest edge of the state of Coahuila. It is part of the Laguna region. The Nazas River forms the border between Torreón and Gómez Palacio, Durango. The entire area of Torreón, including the rural parts, covers about 1,947.7 km² (752.0 sq mi).

The city itself is about 1,120 m (3,670 ft) above sea level. This is a bit low for a city in Mexico's interior. The land where the city is built is mostly flat. However, there are some hills to the south and southwest, which you can see from most parts of the city. Further south, in the less populated areas of the municipality, there are taller mountains, some over 3,000 m (9,843 ft) high.

Torreón's Climate and Weather

Torreón has a desert climate. This means it doesn't get much rain, but when it does, it's usually in the summer. Days are very hot, and nights are cool. However, because it's a city, the buildings and roads can make summer nights warmer than in nearby countryside areas. The plants and animals you find here are typical for desert-like places.

Fun Places to Visit in Torreón

Torreón has several interesting places to see.

El Canal de la Perla.

• Cristo de las Noas: This is a giant statue of Jesus, 21.80 m (71.5 ft) tall. It is the third tallest Christ statue in Latin America. It stands on top of a hill, looking over the city. Many people believe it protects the people of Torreón. There is also a church on the hilltop, and you can get amazing views of the whole city from there.
• Shopping Centers: If you like shopping, Torreón has many malls. Some popular ones include Galerias Laguna, Plaza Cuatro Caminos, and Intermall.
• Canal de la Perla: This "Pearl Watercourse" is an underground channel. It was built in the 1800s to bring water from the Nazas River to nearby farms. It was rediscovered in 2003 and opened to visitors in 2014. You can walk through it under the oldest part of the city. It is also used for art shows and cultural events.
• Museo Arocena: The Arocena Museum opened in 2006. It has art collections from ancient times to today. There is also a special section about the history of Mexico and Torreón. The museum often hosts temporary exhibits, talks, book fairs, movies, and activities for kids.

Torreón's Economy and Businesses

Torreón started as a place for ranching. With new ways to water the land, it became a key area for growing and processing cotton. In the mid-1900s, it grew into an industrial city. Today, Torreón has factories that make textiles, clothing, and metal products.

Many important companies have operations here. These include Peñoles, a big Mexican mining company, and Motores John Deere. Grupo Lala is a major dairy products company based here. Yura Corporation also has a presence. You will also find many stores like Soriana, Cimaco, and Extra.

Learning and Education

Building at the Iberoamerican University

Torreón and the surrounding area have many public and private universities. Some of the well-known schools include:

• Universidad Autónoma Agraria Antonio Narro (UAAAN)
• Autonomous University of Coahuila (UAdeC)
• Iberoamerican University Torreón (Ibero)
• Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM)
• La Laguna Institute of Technology

Sports in Torreón

Estadio Corona.

Torreón is home to the Santos Laguna football (soccer) team. They play in Liga MX, which is Mexico's top football league. The team has won championships in 1996, 2001, 2008, 2012, 2015, and 2018. They used to play at Estadio Corona but moved to the Territorio Santos Modelo in 2009 because they needed a bigger stadium for their many fans.

The city also has a baseball team called "Vaqueros Laguna" (Laguna Cowboys). They play in the Mexican League at Estadio Revolución.

Torreón's professional basketball team is called Jefes de Fuerza Lagunera. They play in the Municipal Auditorium, which can hold about 3,000 people. They are part of the LNBP, which is Mexico's top basketball league.

Did you know that Raul Allegre, a former NFL football player who won the Super Bowl, was born in Torreón?

Exciting Events in Torreón

Cotton and Grape Fair

The biggest yearly festival in Torreón is the Cotton and Grape Fair (Feria del Algodón y La Uva). It happens in September. This fair has cultural events, music, delicious food, and fun rides.

Independence Day

Mexico's Independence Day is celebrated on September 15 and 16. There are parties all over Torreón, but the main celebration is at the Plaza Mayor. People dress in traditional Mexican clothes and eat traditional dishes. On the evening of September 15, the city mayor performs the traditional "El Grito" (The Cry) ceremony. The next day, September 16, there is a parade on Morelos Avenue.

Sister Cities

Torreón has special connections with other cities, known as "sister cities." These connections help build friendships and cultural exchange.

• Reynosa, Mexico
• Culiacan, Mexico
• Hermosillo, Mexico
• Chihuahua, Mexico
• Laredo, United States
• El Paso, United States

Famous People from Torreón

Many talented people come from Torreón, including:

• Carlos Acevedo, a football player
• Demián Bichir, an actor
• Ricardo Montalbán, a famous actor
• Oribe Peralta, a football player
• Carmen Salinas, an actress
• Jorge Sánchez, a football player

See also

In Spanish: Torreón (Coahuila) para niños