Parras
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For the town in Aragón, Spain, see Las Parras de Castellote

Parras de la Fuente is a city located in the southern part of the Mexican state of Coahuila. At the census of 2005, the population was 44,715. There are a large number of factories that produce denim, including a Dickies factory, and Parras is also a wine-making place. The city serves as the municipal seat of the surrounding Parras municipality, which has an area of 9,271.7 km² (3,579.8 sq mi).

History

The former Hacienda del Rosario is the place were Parras de la Fuente was founded in 1598. There, the revolutionary and President of Mexico Francisco I. Madero was born in 1873.

In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, Parras was held by U.S. troops. Also, French forces were defeated there in 1866 during the French intervention in Mexico.

Tourists centers

Parras is called "The oasis" of the semidesert of Coahuila. One of the historic attractions of Parras is the Municipality Presidence, which is a replica of the State's Government Palace in Saltillo.

One of the main touristic attractions is the Hostal el Farol, the former house of General Raul Madero, and now a beautiful place to stay and eat.

The oldest winery in the Americas is in Parras de la Fuente and was founded by Lorenzo García in the 16th century.

For rest and recreation, Parras has bathing resorts; these bathing places were used to generate electric power for industry usage.

Among its man-made attractions are Santo Madero Church, which is located on an extinct volcano plug just north of the town, and San Ignacio de Loyola Church, which was built in the 17th century.

Parras was named a "Pueblo Mágico" in 2004.

Sister City

• Grapevine, Texas, USA

Academic Programs

• Parras Summer Program in Spanish language and culture and appropriate technology. Program of Humboldt State University in Arcata, California.

References

• Link to tables of population data from the Census of 2005 INEGI: Instituto Nacional de Estadística, Geografía e Informática
• Coahuila Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México

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