The state occupies most of the belt and encircles practically all of Mexico City. Its many fertile valleys, rivers and mountains of 1,800-5400 metres have endowed to with a pleasant, healthy climate and made it popular for getaways from the city.

The state’s 12 million inhabitants mainly live in the industrial cities of Toluca, Satelite, Tlanepantla, Naucalpan, Cuautitlan Izcalli and Ecatepec. Although Toluca is still separated form Mexico City by a few acres o forest, the other towns have been absorbed into the megalopolis.

The state was known as the country’s main silver producing province, thanks to the fabulous mines of Temascaltepec, El Oro, Zacualpan and Real del Monte. Its current prosperity is derived from the economic growth of the capital.