Durango was named by founder, Don Francisco de Ibarra, after the town of his birth in Spain. Durango (Spain) is of Basque origin and means “fertile lowland bathed by rivers surrounded be elevations or mountains”.
Surrounding States:
W – Nayarit, Sinaloa and Chihuahua
Created: May 22, 1824 
State Capital:
Durango 1824 – present
Government Palace (Palacio de Gobierno) – Durango
Location: NE – Calle 5 de Febrero / Avenida Zaragoza Esqunial
Built: Unknown
Style: Spanish Baroque
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces north and is two story red coloured structure. The building is located in the city centre on the south side is the Plaza IV Centenario. The building was constructed on the estate of a Spanish mine owner and expropriated by the government after the War of Independence. The exterior façade has arches forming a vestibule. There are beautiful balconies with forged iron rails. Inside are several patios and colourful murals painted by Francisco Montoyo in 1950, depicting the history of the state.
Legislative Palace (Palacio Legislativo) – Durango
Location: Calle 5 de Febrero 900 Pte / Avenida Zaragoza Esqunial
Built: Unknown
Style: Spanish Colonial
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces south and is a two story structure. The building is located in the city centre. The two story yellow coloured building has an arched arcade along the south side. Inside the entrance is a hall with the Legislative Chamber on the west side. The building houses the State Congress (Honorable Congreso del Estado de Durango) on the first floor.
Justice Palace (Palacio de Justicia) – Durango
Location: SW – Avenida Zargoza Esqunial / Calle 5 de Febrero i
Built: Unknown
Style: Spanish Pueblo
Architect: Unknown
Contractor: Unknown
Description: The building faces east and is a two story yellow coloured stone and concret structure. The building is located in the city centre and faces east onto Plaza IV Centenado. The building has large arches along the main story and the central entrance is recessed. The roof line is flat. The building houses the Tribunal Superior de Justicia.
Government Palace – Durango
Legislative Palace – Durango
Justice Palace – Durango
Photos taken 2005