Pachuca, formally Pachuca de Soto (La Bella Airosa, en: The windy beauty) is the capital of the Mexican state of Hidalgo. It is located in the south-central part of the state. Pachuca de Soto is also the name of the municipality of which the city serves as municipal seat. The municipal president is Franciso Olvera of the Institutional Revolutionary Party.
Pachuca had a 2005 census population of 267,751 people. The municipality had an official population of 275,578.

Its area is 195.3 km² (75.4 sq mi). The city is 58 miles (94 kilometers) from Mexico City, to which it is connected by a modern freeway.

The city has a moderate climate with annual average temperature of 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius), even though freezing temperatures can occur in winter nights. Pachuca has been given the name "la bella airosa" or "the windy beauty" because during most of the year there are strong northeasterly winds that can reach 46 mph (75 km/hr).

Pachuca is an important mining center and has an active commercial and cultural life. Numerous industries are based in Pachuca and the surrounding areas, including automobile parts, ovenware, tools, and mining equipment.