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The capital of Sinaloa is Culiacán, an agricultural center. It has been
continuously inhabited longer than nearly any other city in in Mexico.
Archeological evidence indicates that people have been living there since
A
.
D
. 900,
although the modern city was founded by the Spanish in 1531. Despite its long
history, however, the city attracts few tourists. Today it is modern and urban.
Sinaloa has been a center of the narco war, as the state is home to the
powerful Sinaloa Cartel. This criminal organization is believed to make more
than $20 billion a year from its drug trafficking operations. Although cartel
leader Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman was arrested by Mexican authorities in early
2014, most experts feel the Sinaloa Cartel will continue to dominate the illegal
drug trade in Mexico.
Sonora
If you were to travel north along the Gulf of California from Sinaloa, you
would find yourself entering the state of Sonora. In terms of land area,
Sonora is the second-largest state in
Mexico, and its population is
growing as well. Like Baja California
Norte, Sonora is located on the
U.S.-Mexican border, which means
that it is attractive to American
industries looking to set up
factories inside Mexico’s borders. Big
companies like Ford Motor Company,
AT&T, Pepsico, Velcro USA, IBM, ITT
Power Systems, and Sara Lee
The States of Mexico
27
Mexico’s form of government is
a presidential republic with a
federal structure. The head of
state is elected by a nationwide
vote for a six-year term. Legislative power
is exercised by a congress composed of
the senate and the chamber of deputies.
Estados Unidos Mexicanos (the United
Mexican States) includes 31 states and
the Federal District, which contains the
capital, Mexico City.