City (pop., 2000: 540,823), capital of Sinaloa state, western Mexico.
Located on the Culiacán River, it was founded on the site of an Indian settlement in 1531 and played an important role in early colonial days as a base for Spanish expeditions. An elaborate irrigation system in the valley provides for a variety of crops, including corn, sugarcane, tobacco, and fruits and vegetables. It is the seat of the University of Sinaloa (1873).