Morelia, city, western Mexico, capital of Michoacán State, at an altitude of 1887 m (6190 ft) above sea level. The city is the distribution and market center for the surrounding area, in which beans, corn, and fruit are grown and livestock is raised. Industries in Morelia include flour mills, food-processing plants, and factories producing chemicals. A university (1540) and an institute of technology are here. Founded in 1541 as Valladolid, the city was renamed in 1828 in honor of the patriot José María Morelos y Pavón. Population (1995) 578,061.
