TAMAULIPAS, a northern Gulf-coast State of Mexico. Area 30,734 sq.m. Pop. (193o est.) The central and southern parts of the State are mountainous, but there are ex tensive fertile plains in the north sloping gently north-east toward the Rio Grande, and the coastal zone is sandy, much broken by lagoons and sparsely inhabited. Except in the north this coastal zone is only 5 to 7 m. wide, but the foothills region back of this is usually well wooded and fertile, and the low alluvial river valleys penetrate deeply into the sierras. There are four important rivers in the State—the Rio Grande del Norte or Rio Bravo, which forms the boundary line with the United States, the Conchas or Presas, the Soto da Marina and the Tamesi. The Panuco forms the southern boundary for a short distance. A peculiar feature of the hydrography of Tamaulipas is the series of coastal lagoons formed by the formation of new beaches across the indentations of the coast. The climate is hot and humid on the coast, but is pleasant on the more elevated lands of the interior. The rainfall is abundant, especially on the mountain slopes of the south. The principal industry is agriculture. Sugar,
cereals, tobacco, cotton and coffee are produced, and probably fruit may be raised successfully. Stock-raising receives some attention and hides and cattle are exported. The preparation of ixtle fibre for export is becoming an important industry. Copper is mined and extensive deposits of petroleum and asphalt are being exploited. Railway communication is provided by the Mexican National, two branches of which cross the northern end of the State, the line from Monterrey to Tampico, and a branch of the Mexican Central from San Luis Potosi to Tampico.
The capital of Tamaulipas is Ciudad Victoria (pop., 1921, 17,124), a small sierra town on the Monterrey and Tampico rail way, about 120 m. from Tampico. Among other towns in the State may be mentioned: Matamoros (q.v.), Tampico (q.v.), Tula (3,192 in 1921), Nuevo Laredo, on the American border (14,998 in 1921), and Dona Cecilia (15,298 in 1921).