TEHUANTEPEC', ISTHMUS OF, that geographical division of Mexico which ex tends between the gulf of Mexico and the Pacific ocean, in an e. and w. direction, and includes the political divisions Vera Cruz and Oaxaca. It comprises the Atlantic plains, which lie along the foot of the Cordilleras, on the gulf; the central mountainous dis tricts; and the Pacific plains on the west. The basin of the Cootzacoalcos, and the con tiguous territory, on the e. is a highly fertile alluvial country. This river rises in the Sierras, is navigable 30 in. from its mouth; and is important as offering one of the means for the projected canal connection with the Pacific. The Pacific plains average about 20 m. in width, descending gradually from the mountains. The population of the isth mus, principally Indians and half-breeds, numbers about 62,000; its productions are maize, coffee, cocoa, indigo, cotton, sugar, and tobacco. On the gulf side there are extensive forests of mahogany, cedar, gum, and india-rubber trees. On the western
plains are great herds of cattle. The city of Tehuantepec on the river of the same name—which is merely a mountain torrent, thus dignified—is the second town in importance in the state (Oaxaca), and has about 13,000 Indians and half-breed inhabit ants, with a few Spaniards. It is situated 11 m. from the Pacific; contains 16 churches, one of which was built by the last Zapoteco cacique in 1530, and possesses manufac tures of pottery, cotton, shoes, hats, saddlery, etc. A portion of the isthmus was care fully surveyed by Cortes, who was seeking for an opening to the South sea—the great desideratum of the early Spanish navigators to America. Cortes, in fact, was the first to conceive of a method for connecting Asia with western Europe, ria this isthmus. See INTEROCEANIC SHIP CANAL.