The sister city pair of Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas and Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico were established in 1849 along the Rio Grande near the confluence of the Rio Escondido. Piedras Negras is named after the coal deposits in the vicinity. Currently Piedras Negras has a growing population of over 200,000 which dwarfs Eagle Pass’s population of 22,413.Today Eagle Pass is an International Gateway with two International bridges, seat of Maverick County, and a retail shopping center. The area has irrigated farming lands and cattle ranches. The Kickapoo Indian reservation is located eight miles south of Eagle Pass. Approximately 44 Colonias with a total population of 13,000 are located within Maverick County.