Monclova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Monclova
Downtown Monclova
Coat of arms
Nickname(s):  The Steel Capital
Monclova Location in Coahuila Show map of Coahuila Monclova Location in Mexico Show map of Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Coahuila
Municipality	Monclova
Founded	24 July 1577
Founded by	Alonso de León
Named for	Melchor Portocarrero, 3rd Count of Monclova
Government
• Type	Municipio
Elevation	620 m (2,030 ft)
Population  (2015)
• City	231,107
• Metro	381,432
• Metro density	29.88/km2 (77.4/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC–6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC–5 (CDT)
Codigo Postal	25700
Area code(s)	+52-866
Website	monclova.gob.mx
Airport: Venustiano Carranza International Airport (LOV)

Monclova (Spanish pronunciation: [moŋˈkloβa]) is a city in the northern Mexican state of Coahuila. It is often called "The Steel Capital" because it produces a lot of steel. In 2015, about 231,107 people lived in the city. Its larger metropolitan area had 381,432 residents.

Monclova is the third-largest city and metropolitan area in Coahuila. Only Torreón and Saltillo are bigger. The city is very important for Mexico's steel industry.

Today, Monclova is a highly developed city. It has many businesses, factories, and banks. It also has one of the lowest poverty rates among Mexican cities. This means most people there have good jobs and a good quality of life.

History of Monclova

Monclova was founded on July 25, 1577, by Spanish colonists. It was the first city in the region that later became the state of Coahuila.

During the time when Spain ruled Mexico, Monclova was the capital of a large area called Nueva Extremadura. It stayed the capital for a few years even after Mexico became independent.

Important leaders of Mexico's fight for independence were brought to Monclova after they were captured. These leaders included Juan Aldama, Ignacio Allende, Miguel Hidalgo, and José Mariano Jiménez. They were later taken to Chihuahua.

In 1824, a new Mexican Constitution was made. It created the state of Coahuila y Tejas, and the capital was moved to Saltillo. However, in 1828, Monclova was declared the capital again. The state government often met in Saltillo, causing some confusion.

Finally, in 1833, the state government decided that Monclova was the official capital. This decision was approved by President Antonio López de Santa Anna in 1834.

Later, in 1836, Mexico's government changed. The state of Coahuila y Tejas was split into two parts: Coahuila and Texas. Saltillo became the capital of Coahuila. Around this time, Texas fought for its independence and became a separate country.

Geography and Location

Monclova is located in the central part of the state of Coahuila. It sits at an elevation of 620 meters (about 2,034 feet) above sea level. Its exact location is 26°54′37″N 101°25′20″W / 26.91028°N 101.42222°W / 26.91028; -101.42222.

Monclova's Climate

Monclova has a warm semi-arid climate. This means it's generally hot and dry. The average yearly temperature is about 22.0°C (71.6°F).

In January, the coolest month, the average temperature is 13.6°C (56.5°F). But temperatures can reach 30°C (86°F) during the day. At night, they can drop to 0°C (32°F). The coldest temperature ever recorded was -9.5°C (14.9°F) on December 25, 1983.

During late spring and summer, it can get very hot. Temperatures can stay above 40°C (104°F) for many days. The hottest recorded temperatures were 43°C (109°F) in 2005 and 45°C (113°F) in 1984. However, nights are usually much cooler due to the dry air. Even in July, the warmest month, temperatures have dropped to 10.6°C (51.1°F). The average July temperature is 28.6°C (83.5°F). A typical summer day has lows around 21°C (70°F) and highs near 35°C (95°F).

Monclova gets about 376.7 mm (14.8 inches) of rain each year. September is usually the wettest month. The warmer months tend to be rainier than the cooler ones. Sometimes, it even snows in winter, but this is rare in the city itself. Snow is more common in the nearby mountains.

Monclova's Economy

Monclova is famous for its steel production. It makes more steel than any other city in Mexico and Latin America. This is why it's called "The Steel Capital."

In 1942, a big steel factory called Altos Hornos de Mexico was built. This helped Monclova grow into an important industrial city.

Today, Monclova is one of Mexico's most developed cities. It has a strong economy with many businesses and industries. It also has a high rate of people working and earning good wages.

Things to See and Do

Monclova has several interesting places to visit, from historic churches to fun parks.

Buildings and Monuments

• The Santiago Apostol Parish Church
  • This church started being built in the late 1700s. It has beautiful stone carvings on its front.
• The San Francisco de Asis Parish Church
  • This church dates back to the 1600s.
• Ermita de Zapopan Church
  • This church was damaged during a revolution. It was restored in the early 1800s to save its original bells and walls.
• El Polvorin (The Powder Magazine)
  • This is a museum with many different collections. You can see items related to history, nature, art, and even old weapons.
• Pape Museum Library
  • This center offers art exhibits and performances. It also has a permanent display about the lives of Harold and Lou Pape. The Harold R. Pape Library is next to the museum.
• Meteorological Observatory
  • This is the largest observatory in the state. It has a powerful telescope that can show live images of the sun, moon, and planets. It helps people learn about astronomy.
• Venustiano Carranza International Airport
  • This is the main airport for the city.

Parks and Gardens

• Xochipilli Park I and II
  • These parks cover more than 20 hectares (about 50 acres). They are great for relaxing and playing. They have sports areas, cultural spaces, green lawns, lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.
• The Main Square
• The Zoo

Sister Cities

• San Marcos, USA

Famous People from Monclova

Many talented people come from Monclova:

• El Hijo de L.A. Park, a professional wrestler.
• Andrés Espinosa, a long-distance runner known for marathons.
• Jerry Estrada, a professional wrestler.
• Hispana, a rapper.
• Francisco Ríos, a baseball pitcher.
• Nora Rocha, a track and field athlete who won a gold medal in 1999.
• Cynthia Rodríguez, a singer and TV personality.
• Joakim Soria, a major league baseball pitcher. He has played for teams like the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers.
• Volador Jr., a professional wrestler.
• Susana Zabaleta, a soprano singer and actress.

Images for kids

• 

  Joakim Soria

See also

In Spanish: Monclova para niños