Morelia

Morelia, capital of the state of Michoacán, lies in the Guayangareo Valley at 1,920 metres above sea level. Founded in 1541 by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza, its Historic Centre was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, distinguished by extraordinary Baroque and Neoclassical architecture in pink cantera stone: more than two hundred historic buildings, whose two 60-metre cathedral towers define the city's skyline. With 743,275 inhabitants according to the 2020 INEGI Census, Morelia is also one of Mexico's most important cultural capitals.

The city additionally holds the dual distinction of UNESCO City of Gastronomy — for the richness of Michoacán cuisine, declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity — and UNESCO City of Music since 2019. Its vibrant sports ecosystem, with broad citizen participation in health and sporting activities, positions it as a benchmark within the ACES Activa programme for the Americas region.