Morelia is the capital and most populous city of the Mexican state of Michoacán. Located in the Guayangareo Valley in the north-central part of the state, it serves as the municipal seat of the municipality of Morelia.
The region was originally inhabited by the Purépecha and Matlatzinca cultures, though no major cities were established during that period. Spanish forces took control of the area in the 1520s, leading to the founding of a settlement named Valladolid in 1541 by Viceroy Antonio de Mendoza. After defeating its rival city, Pátzcuaro, for dominance in 1580, Valladolid became the capital of the viceregal province.
Following the Mexican War of Independence, the city was renamed Morelia to honor José María Morelos, a native of the area. In 1991, the city was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved historical buildings and the layout of its historic center. It is also a local tradition to name individuals born on September 30 after the city.