AGUADILLA, the largest and most important town in the north-western section of Porto Rico. The population by the 192o census of the town itself was while the population of the municipal district in 193o was 28,319.
Aguadilla is situated on the west coast of Porto Rico, on the Mona channel which connects the Atlantic ocean with the Carib bean sea. It is a seaport, but at present has little shipping. It is situated on the belt-line railroad which follows the coastal plains around the island and also has connection by well-built highways with the principal cities of the island. It has several industries and its business houses are well established. Its schools are superior, and an old church is of especial interest.
According to tradition, Columbus's fleet of discovery in refilled its water-casks at the fountain which still flows in the centre of the town. It is certain that Columbus's landing was near Aguadilla. A tract of land south of the town and within a short distance has been secured for a Columbus park, which will be improved and a creditable monument erected to the discoverer. There is no other place under the U.S. flag on which Columbus landed except Porto Rico. (H. M. T.) AGUASCALIENTES, an inland State of Mexico, bounded north, east and west by the State of Zacatecas, and south by Jalisco. Pop. (1910) 120,511; (1931) 132,900. Area, miles. The State occupies a part of the plateau of central Mexico about 6,000ft. above sea level, extending from two spurs of the Sierra Madre, called the Sierra Fria and Sierra de Laurel, east ward to the rolling fertile plains of its eastern and south-eastern districts. It is well watered by numerous small streams and one large river, the Aguascalientes or Rio Grande, and has a mild healthy climate with a light rain fall. The fertile valleys of the north and west are devoted to agriculture and the plains to stock-raising. Indian corn, flour, cattle, horses, mules and hides are exported to the neighbouring States. Mining industries are still undeveloped, but considerable progress has been made in manufactures, especially of textile fabrics. The State has good railway communications and a pros perous trade. The capital, Aguascalientes, named from the medi cinal hot springs near it, is a flourishing commercial and manu facturing city. Pop. (1910) 45,198, (1931) 82,184. It has cotton factories, smelting works, railway shops, potteries, tanneries, distilleries and wagon and tobacco factories. It is a station on the Mexican Central railway, 364m. N.W. of the city of Mexico, and is connected by rail with Tampico on the Gulf of Mexico. The city is well built, has many fine churches and good public build ings, street cars and electric lights. Other towns of the State are Rincon de Romos, Asientos de Ibarra and Calvillo, each having less than 5,000 inhabitants.