Municipalities of Chihuahua Facts for Kids

Map of Mexico with Chihuahua highlighted

Chihuahua is a large state in Northwest Mexico. It is divided into 67 smaller areas called municipalities. In 2020, Chihuahua was the 12th most populated state in Mexico, with over 3.7 million people. It is also the largest state by land area, covering about 247,798 square kilometers (95,675 square miles).

Each municipality in Chihuahua has its own government. This is allowed by Mexico's constitution. Every three years, people in a municipality vote for a municipal president. This president leads a group called the municipal council. The council's job is to provide important services for the people. These services include water, street lights, public safety, and maintaining parks and cemeteries. They also help with education and protecting the environment. Municipalities can collect taxes, but they get most of their money from the state and federal governments.

The municipality with the most people is Ciudad Juárez. It has over 1.5 million residents, which is about 40% of Chihuahua's total population! The smallest municipality by population is Huejotitán, with only 824 people. The largest municipality by land area is Ahumada, which is huge at about 16,927 square kilometers (6,536 square miles). The smallest is Santa Bárbara, covering about 346 square kilometers (134 square miles).

The first municipality to be officially formed was Rosales on July 8, 1820. The newest one is Guachochi, which was created on January 9, 1963.

What are Municipalities?
Largest Municipalities by Population
See also

What are Municipalities?

How Municipalities Work

Municipalities are like local governments. They make sure that people have the services they need in their towns and cities. Think of them as the local team that keeps things running smoothly.

Who Leads a Municipality?

Every three years, citizens vote for a municipal president. This person is like the mayor of the municipality. They work with a group called the municipal council. The council includes trustees and councillors who help make decisions.

What Services Do They Provide?

Municipalities are responsible for many daily services. These include:

Providing clean water and sewage systems.
Making sure street lights work.
Keeping public places safe.
Managing traffic.
Taking care of public parks, gardens, and cemeteries.

They also work with the state and federal governments on bigger projects. This includes education, emergency services like fire and medical help, and protecting historical places.