Leon is located in Guanajuato state, Central Mexico. The city is located in a fertile river valley with a mild, temperate climate. Site of a famous flood, which in 1888 almost washed the city away. Being situated on the main Railroad line between El Paso, Texas, and Mexico city, and on Mexico Highways 37 and 45, makes Leon a commercial, agricultural, and mining center and one of Mexicos leading leather working and shoemaking cities. The local mines yield gold, copper, silver, lead, and tin. Len was officially founded in 1577. Formerly called Len de los Aldama.