NUEVO

LEON  , a northern state of Mexico, bounded N., E. and S.E. by Tamaulipas, S. and S.W. by San Luis Potosi and W. and N. by Coahuila . Pop . (19o0) 327,937; area 23,592 sq. m . Nuevo Leon lies partly upon the great Mexican plateau and partly upon its eastern slopes, the Sierra Madre Oriental crossing the state N.W. to S.E . A branch of the Sierra Madre extends northward from the vicinity of Salinas, but its elevations are low . The average elevation of the Sierra Madre within the state is slightly under 5500 ft . The general character of the surface is mountainous, though the western and south-western sides are level and dry as in the adjoining state of Coahuila . In the N. the general elevation is low, the surface sandy and covered with cactus and mesquite growth, and hot, semi-arid conditions prevail . The eastern slopes receive more rain and are well clothed with vegetation, but the lower valleys are sub-tropical in character and are largely devoted to sugar production . The higher elevations have a dry, temperate, healthful climate . There are many rivers and streams, notably the Salado, Pesqueria and Presas, but none is navigable within the state, though many furnish good water power . Agriculture is the principal industry,the chief products being sugar, barley, Indian corn and wheat .

Rum is a by-product of the sugar industry, and " mescal " is distilled from the agave . The gathering and preparation of " ixtle " fibres from the agave and yucca forms another important industry, the fibre being sent to Tampico for export . Stock-raising receives considerable attention; there are about a score of large cattle ranges, and there is a considerable export of live cattle to Texas and to various Mexican states . Consider-able progress has been made in manufacturing industries, and there are a large number of sugar-mills, cotton factories, woollen mills, smelting works and iron and steel works . The state is well served with railways, the capital, Monterrey, being one of the most important railway centres in northern Mexico . The Mexican National line crosses the northern half of the state and has constructed a branch from Monterrey to Matamoros, and a Belgian line (F . C. de Monterrey al Golfo Mexicano) runs from Tampico N.N.W. to Monterrey, and thence westward to Trevino (formerly Venadito) in Coahuila, a station on the Mexican Inter-national . The other principal towns are: Linares, or San Felipe de Linares (pop . 20,690 in 1900), 112 m. by rail S.E. of the capital in a rich agricultural region; Lampazos, or Lampazos de Naranjo (7704), 96 M. by rail N.W. of the capital; Cadereyta Jiminez, Garcia, Santiago and Doctor Arroyo, the last in the extreme southern part of the state .