CARBONIFEROUS REGION IN COAHUILA

The name of this region is because it is the only area in Mexico where the coal has been systematically mined due to its abundance. Since the second half of the nineteenth century, the discovery of a rich layer of coal has represented the most significant source of work and prosperity for its inhabitants. However, this zone has also been blessed with large natural landscapes and is ideal for hunting and other sports like fishing and hiking. Some of its more important places are:

• Sabinas – Young city founded in 1883. It is the departure point for a paleontology excursion. This place features a nice Municipal Palace inaugurated in 1942; the Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe Church, built in 1897; the old train station dating back to 1883; the coke ovens constructed in 1905; and the Benito Garza Ortegón Recreational Park, located in the banks of Sabinas River. Sabinas also offer cultural attractions like: The Urban Museum of Paleontology, this open aired space exhibits excellent examples of fossils and a life-sized sculpture of a mammoth; the National Coal Museum, exhibits photos, documents, machines and tools, schedule: Monday to Saturdays 9:00 to 17:00 hrs.; and the Paleontology and Archeology Museum, expose thousands of paleontology and archeology pieces found in the region, schedule: Tuesday to Friday 9:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 20:00 hrs, Saturday and Sunday 10:00 to 19:00 hrs.

• San Juan de Sabinas – This town is unmistakable for its enormous open cast coal mines and the sown corn, sugar cane, and squash fields. San Juan has the 19th century church of San Juan; a building that used to be the City Hall constructed also in the 19th century; “La Mansión”, a factory established in the 20th century and the Sagrado Corazon, built in 1925.

• Múzquiz – In 1674 the first mission of the east valley was founded here. Today Múzquiz is a prosperous town, basing its economy on mining, livestock and agriculture. The town features: the Santa Rosa de Lima Church, beautiful stone building; the Main Plaza, the best place to taste raspas (snow cones) and nieve de garrafa (ice cream) is this traditional spot with lush junipers and firs; the Múzquiz Historical Museum, exhibits paleontology and archeology collections, as well as objects allusive to the municipality’s history, schedule: Monday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00 hrs; the Cascada Park, the constantly flowing waters that flow into its equipped areas arrive from an outlet of the San Juan mine; the Boquillas del Carmen Natural Park, its whimsical rock formations, spectacular valleys, and high rock walls are the ideal place for kayaking, hiking, and camping.

• Juárez – It was founded in the land of the ”El Álamo” Hacienda in 1886. The town features a House of Culture with a display of fossils and antique photos. It is famous the elaboration of squash sweets and candies made out of goat milk. Nearby is the “Campo Romania”, with a restaurant, cabins, children playground, and grills; the “Campo Vale”, with cabins and sport fishing facilities. However, its largest attraction is the Venustiano Carranza dam, better known as “Don Martin”, offering restaurants, palapas, parking lot and a recreational area; this is the ideal place for horseback riding, fishing and boat riding. 

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