Villa Ahumada: The City with the Largest Land Area in Mexico
Villa Ahumada: The City with the Largest Land Area in Mexico
In the vast expanse of northern Chihuahua, Villa Ahumada, also known as Miguel Ahumada, holds the distinction of being the Mexican municipality with the largest land area. Spanning an impressive 17,132 square kilometers (6,740 square miles), this city highlights the true nature of Mexico's expansive landscapes.
Demographics and Geography
Despite its vast land area, Villa Ahumada is home to just 10,150 residents. This sparse population translates to 1.7 square kilometers per person, making it a vast expanse of land for those fortunate enough to call it home. It dwarfs the land area of Switzerland and is significantly larger than the state of Maryland in the United States.
The city is positioned along the major highway, Mex 45, which runs from Ciudad Juarez down to Mexico City. This strategic location, combined with a railroad and several bus lines, makes travel convenient despite the sparse population. However, much of the land beyond the town remains devoid of people, creating a sprawling expanse of dry, untouched land.
Climate and Geography
Totaling 17,132 square kilometers, Villa Ahumada is known for its expansive dry landscapes and unique weather patterns, particularly the ferocious dust storms that can occur during summer and last for days in spring. Despite this, the town itself occupies only about 5 square miles, significantly reducing its dense population.
Ghost Towns and Hope
Ghost towns dot this landscape, such as Carrizal, a small hamlet west of the main town. These towns, like Los Amoles, which was inhabited in the 1990s, succumbed to the lack of water, making them eerie ruins amidst the vast, arid land.
Natural Wonders and Challenges
The dry Rio Carmen, marked by trees, is a remnant of what was once a flowing river. This river only provides water during rare and intense deluges in the Sierra Madre Occidental to the southwest. The area is home to the northernmost extension of "El Barreal," a vast dry lakebed that is too extensive to fit within the borders of a single municipality.
Biodiversity and Ecology
Special mention must be made of the diverse cacti species found in this area. Half a dozen species of small cacti are endemic to this region, and one notable variety is a deep red-flowered large barrel cactus. This cactus was once used to make cactus candy but is now protected, making harvesting and selling it illegal.
Climate Variations
While the area is predominantly dry, it experiences an annual rainfall of approximately 6 inches, with some snowfall that even manages to stick to the ground. The record for the coldest place in Mexico, Villa Ahumada, was set at -31.6 degrees Celsius in February 2011, achieving a low of -22 degrees Celsius in winter.
Summer Scorching
During summer, temperatures can soar to a scalding 120°F, with more common readings reaching up to 113°F or 45°C. Snowfall in Villa Ahumada, while rare, can create unique landscapes such as at "Rancho Zaragoza," where the author's wife's grandmother once lived.
A Personal Note
The author, who spent 21 years living in Ciudad Juarez and regularly visiting his wife's grandmother in this remote area, offers a glimpse into the life and beauty of Villa Ahumada. His personal anecdotes, such as enjoying the best burritos at "El Piolin" with a special discount, add a warm human touch to the description of this vast, inhospitable but fascinating land.
The photographs captured in June and July 2022, November 2023, and August 1996, provide a vivid record of the changing seasons and landscapes in this unique region. Visitors, armed with the knowledge from this guide, can explore the area and discover its hidden treasures.