MONCLOVA

city, east-central Coahuila estado (state), northeastern Mexico. It is situated in the eastern outliers of the Sierra Madre Oriental, at 1,923 feet (586 m) above sea level, on the Salado de los Nadadores River, north of Saltillo, the state capital. The climate is hot and dry, with great temperature ranges. During the colonial period, Monclova served as the capital of Nueva Extremadura provincia. Now it is primarily an industrial centre, the site of one of Mexico's largest ironworks and steelworks, which began operation in 1944, using ore from Durango, coking coal from Sabinas, and local limestone. Silver, lead, zinc, and copper are also mined nearby. Agriculture (cereals and fibres) and livestock raising are also practiced in the area. The city is accessible by railroad and highway from Piedras Negras, on the MexicoUnited States border; Saltillo; Monterrey; and San Pedro de las Colonias. It is also served by domestic airlines. Pop. (1990 prelim.) 178,023.