Since 1990 Hermosillo, capital of the state of Sonora, is about 250 miles south of Tucson, Arizona. Originally, Hermosillo was the site of a Pima Indian settlement called Pitic. In 1700 the Spanish colonial government created a defensive settlement, the Real Presidio de San Pedro de la Conquista, to help control the Indians and promote Spanish expansion into the northern frontier of New Spain (Mexico). In 1828, after Mexican independence was won from Spain, the city was renamed Hermosillo to honor a general who heroically fought in the War of Independence. In 1881, Hermosillo's modern economic role was established by the railroad connecting the port of Guymas on the Sea of Cortez and the border city of Nogales, Arizona, thus opening both Mexican and U.S. markets to Sonora's mineral and agricultural products. With a population of 600,000, the region maintains a strong agriculture and ranching industry. Because of its nearby sandy beaches at Kino Bay, Hermosillo is also developing its tourism industry. The city of Hermosillo itself is home to both light and heavy industrial development, and the center for commerce in the state of Sonora. Hermosillo also is Sonora's academic and research center, and is home to the Universidad de Sonora, Instituto Tecnologico y Estudios Superiores de Monterrey Campus Sonora Norte, Universidad del Noroeste, Centro de Estudios Superiores de Estado de Sonora, and Universidad Kino. These universities offer more than 50 under graduate programs to the citizens of Hermosillo.		Click here to visit Hermosillo's website (Spanish only)