he war of
independence.
CIUDAD JUAREZ, formerly EL PASO DEL NORTE, a northern frontier town of
Mexico, in the state of Chihuahua, 1223 m. by rail N.N.W. of Mexico
City. Pop. (1895) 6917. Ciudad Juarez stands 3800 ft. above sea-level on
the right bank of the Rio Grande del Norte, opposite the city of El
Paso, Texas, with which it is connected by two bridges. It is the
northern terminus of the Mexican Central railway, and has a large and
increasing transit trade with the United States, having a custom-house
and a United States consulate. It is also a military post with a small
garrison. The town has a straggling picturesque appearance, a
considerable part of the habitations being small adobe or brick cabins.
In the fertile neighbouring district cattle are raised, and wheat,
Indian corn, fruit and grapes are grown, wine and brandy being made. The
town was founded in 1681-1682; its present importance is due entirely to
the railway. It was the headquarters of President Juarez in 1865, and
was renamed in 1885 because of its devotion to his cause.
CIUDAD PORFIRIO DIAZ, formerly PIEDRAS NEGRAS, a northern frontier town
of Mexico in the state of Coahuila, 1008 m. N. by W. from Mexico City,
on the Rio Grande del Norte, 720 ft. above sea-level, opposite the town
of Eagle Pass, Texas. Pop. (1900, estimate) 5000. An international
bridge connects the two towns, and the Mexican International railway has
its northern terminus in Mexico at this point. The town has an important
transfer trade with the United States, and is the centre of a fertile
district devoted to agriculture and stock-raising. Coal is found in the
vicinity. The Mexican government maintains a custom-house and military
post here. The town was founded in 1849.
CIUDAD REAL, a province of central Spain, formed in 1833 of districts
taken from New Castile, and bounded on the N. by Toledo, E. by Albacete,
S. by Jaen and Cordova and W. by Badajoz. Pop. (1900) 321,580; area,
7620 sq. m. The surface of Ciudad Real consists chiefly of a level or
slightly undulating plain, with low hills in the north-east and
south-west; but along the south-western frontier the Sierra de Alcudia
rises in two parallel ridges on either side of the river Alcudia, and is
continued in the Sierra Madrona on the east. The river Guadiana drains
almost the entire province, which it traverses from east to west; only
the southernmost districts being watered by tributaries of the
Guada
|