Matamoros, officially known as Heroica Matamoros, is a city in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico.[1] It is located on the southern bank of the Rio Grande, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas, in the United States.[2] Matamoros is the second largest and second most populous city in the state of Tamaulipas.[3] As of 2010, Matamoros counts with a population of 489,193.[4] If its floating population is included in the census count, however, the population of Matamoros can reach up to approximately 700,000 habitants.[5] In addition, the Matamoros–Brownsville Metropolitan Area counts with a population of 1,136,995,[6] making it the 4th largest metropolitan area in the Mexico-US border.[7] Matamoros is the 39th largest city in Mexico and anchors the second largest metropolitan area in Tamaulipas.[8]
Matamoros is one of the fastest growing cities in Mexico,[9] and has one of the fastest growing economies in the country.[10] The economy of the city is based on its international trade with the United States through the NAFTA agreement,[11] and it is home to one of the most promising industrial sectors in Mexico,[12] mainly due to the presence of maquiladoras.[13] In Matamoros, the automotive industry hosts the assembly and accessories plants for brands such as General Motors, Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes Benz, and several others.[14][15] Likewise, Matamoros' economy has historically been based on agriculture,[16] since northern Mexico's biggest irrigation zones are in the municipality.[17] PEMEX announced a multi-billion offshore drilling project for the port of Matamoros,[18] one of the future prospects for Mexico's oil industry.[19][20][21]
Additionally, Matamoros is a major historical site, since it was site of several battles and events of the Mexican War of Independence,[22] the Mexican Revolution,[23] the Texas Revolution,[24] the Mexican American War,[25] the American Civil War,[26] and the French Intervention[27] that allowed the city to earn its title of Undefeated, Loyal, and Heroic.[28][29] In addition, the Mexican National Anthem was played for the first time in public at The Opera Theatre in the city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas.[30] On another note, Matamoros has a semi-arid climate, with mild winters, and hot, humid summers.[31] Matamoros and Brownsville, Texas are home to the Charro Days and Sombrero Festival annual celebrations, which are two–nation fiestas that commemorate the heritage of the U.S. and Mexico.[32][33]
Moreover, Matamoros is well known for being the birthplace and base of the Gulf Cartel.[34]
There is very little historical evidence about the native tribes that lived in present-day Matamoros. But just like in many parts of northern Tamaulipas, the region of Matamoros was most likely occupied by the one of these three tribes that inhabited Tamaulipas—the Olmecs, the Chicimecs, and the Huastecs—before the colonization by the Spanish colonials.[35]
In the year 1519, the same year that Hernán Cortés arrived to the Americas at the port of Veracruz,[36] a captain named Alonso Álvarez de Pineda carried out a brief expedition to the region of northern Tamaulipas, where he named the town known today as Rio Bravo (Rio Grande) as Rio de las Palmas (Palms River).[37] Nevertheless, the actual founding of Matamoros began in 1686, when Captain Alonso de León explored the area and concluded that the Rio Grande River was an excellent route for navigation, and that the area of Matamoros was an ideal spot for cattle raising.[38]
In the year 1749, thirteen enterprising families, twelve from Camargo and one from Reynosa, decided to invest and begin a new, influential cattle industry in the area.[39] Former landowners were reluctant that this new investment would be successful, since the frequent overflows from the Rio Grande caused severe floods, and because ranches were occasionally attacked by Indians.[40] Nonetheless, these thirteen families effectively carried out their business plan and structuralized 113 cattle-raising sites. In the year 1774, they officially named the area San Juan de los Esteros Hermosos, known today was Matamoros.[41]
In order to colonize the province of Nuevo Santander in 1793, Francisco Pueyes and Manuel Júlio Silva, two Franciscan missionaries, established a parish in the main plaza of Matamoros and proposed a new name for the community, Villa del Refugio, in honor of the parish and patron saint, Our Lady of the Refuge of the Estuaries.[42]
In 1826, the governor Lucas Fernandez dispatched a decree to change the name of the city to Matamoros, in honor of Mariano Matamoros, a hero of the Mexican War of Independence who participated along José María Morelos.[43] During the Texas Revolution (1836), Matamoros was the fortress for many Mexican soldiers against rebel attacks.[44] In 1851, the city of Matamoros was again heroic for defending soldiers against attacks, and the troops of Francisco Avalos were able to repel their enemy.[45]
After that victory, the state congress granted Matamoros the title of "Heroic", countersigned by the Mexican Congress.[46]
The future of the city radically changed after Matamoros declared itself an international free trade zone in 1858.[47] This transformation brought upon urbanization, industrialization, and the expansion of the Bagdad Port, which experienced an economic boom for being the only entrance port for mercenaries for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.[48] The Port of Matamoros, also known as the Port of Bagdad, was during the American Civil War one of the leading commercial ports of the world.[49]
The city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas was a strategic and fortified city during the Texas Revolution. The Matamoros Expedition was launched to attack Matamoros and defeat the forces of Antonio López de Santa Anna. It proved to be both controversial and divisive. The roots of the controversy lay in the division within the provisional government between Governor Henry Smith and the General Council over whether to remain loyal to the Constitution of 1824 and support the liberals of Mexico in the Federalist cause against Santa Anna or to declare independence from Mexico and seek to become an independent territory. The division, on the other hand, was mirrored within the provisional government and among the commanders in the field, who compounded the situation and contributed to the near destruction of the Texan army.[50]
At the beginning of the American Civil War, the city of Matamoros was simply a sleepy little border town across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas.[51] It had, for several years, been considered a port, but it had relatively few ships arriving. Previous to the war, accounts mention that not over six ships entered the port each year.[52] Nevertheless, in about four years, Matamoros, due to its proximity to Texas, was to assume state as a port, and multiply its inhabitants in number. Following is a quote from a Union General in 1885 describing the importance of the port in Matamoros:
| “ |
Matamoros is to the rebellion west of the Mississippi what New York is to the United States— its great commercial and financial center, feeding and clothing the rebellion, arming and equipping, furnishing it materials of war and a specie basis of circulation that has almost displaced Confederate paper...The entire Confederate Government is greatly sustained by resources from this port.[53] |
” |
The cotton trade brought together in Bagdad, Tamaulipas and Matamoros over 20,000 speculators from the Union and the Confederacy, England, France, and Germany.[54] Bagdad had grown from a small, seashore town to a "full-pledge town."[55] The English-speaking population in the area by 1864 was so great that Matamoros even had a newspaper printed in English—it was called the Matamoros Morning Call.[56] In addition, the port exported cotton to England and France, where millions of people needed it for their daily livelihood,[57] and it was possible to receive fifty cents per pound in gold for cotton, when it cost about three cents in the Confederacy, "and much more money was received for it laid down in New York and European ports."[58] Other sources mention that the port of Matamoros traded with London, Havana, Belize, and New Orleans.[59][60] The Matamoros and New York City trade agreement, however, continued throughout the war and until 1864, and it was considered to be "heavy and profitable."[61]
By 1865, Matamoros was described as a prosperous town of 30,000 people,[62] and Lew Wallace informed General Ulysses S. Grant that neither Baltimore or New Orleans could compare itself to the growing commercial activity of Matamoros.[63] Nevertheless, after the collapse of the Confederacy, "gloom, despondency, and despair" became evident in Matamoros—markets shut down, business almost ceased to exist, and ships were rarely seen.[64] "For Sale" signs began to sprout up everywhere, and Matamoros returned to its role of a sleepy little border town across the Rio Grande.[65]
The conclusion of the American Civil War brought a severe crisis to the now abandoned Port of Bagdad, a crisis that until this day the port has never recovered from.[66] In addition, a tremendous hurricane in 1889 destroyed the desolated port. This same hurricane was one of the many hurricanes during the period of devastating hurricanes of 1870 to 1889, which reduced the population of Matamoros to nearly half its size, mounting with it another upsetting economic downturn.[67][68]
During the French intervention, the port of Bagdad was the scene for the Battle of Bagdad, where the Mexican army defeated the French army and its conservative allies.[69]
During the course of the Mexican Revolution, the generals Francisco Mújica and Lucio Blanco executed the first agrarian reform for land in the country (1913).[70] Consequently, in the years to come, Matamoros enjoyed another golden era during The Cotton Age, from 1948 to 1962. This epoch placed Matamoros as the finest and largest cotton producer and exporter in the state of Tamaulipas and of the country.[71]
Since the ‘70s, and especially during the ‘90s, after the initiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, foreign investment has multiplied in Matamoros, resulting in an enormous population growth, prominently from other Mexican states, like San Luis Potosí and Veracruz.
[edit] Industry
The economy of Matamoros depends primarily on its proximity to the United States, due to the importance of the strong presence of foreign investment in the area. Maquiladoras are a direct representation of American presence in the state of Tamaulipas; the trade of goods through the international bridges and the flow of people on both sides of the border play a huge role in the economic posture of Matamoros.
Matamoros is home to more than 122 maquiladoras dedicated in its majority to export to the United States. This industry produces technological goods like cables, electrical appliances, electrical components, vehicle parts and accessories, textiles, chemical products, machinery, and computer products.[72] The city operates about 35% of the Tamaulipas’ maquiladora industry, placing second, just behind Reynosa. In December 2004, the maquiladora industry gave employment to more than 52,777 workers in Matamoros, which showed an increase of 576 jobs compared to 2003, formulating a 60% increase in employment.[73]
[edit] Commerce
This economic activity is the second most important in the city of Matamoros, generating approximately 13.5% of the total employment in the municipality. The rapid growths of the population in Matamoros, along with an increase in incomes, have amplified the demand of satisfiers in the area.[74] In the whole state of Tamaulipas, Matamoros places first in terms of jobs and businesses generated by foreign investment in the area, summing a total of 238 companies, 36% of the state's whole business sector.[75]
[edit] Agriculture
The rural area of Matamoros, Tamaulipas encompasses 97 communities, with more than 36,096 habitants in these small agrarian sectors. Traditionally, the city was eminently agricultural, cultivating sorghum, corn (maíz), beans, vegetables, and sunflower by millions each year. The terrain in Matamoros categorized in two factions: gley soil, land that is only used for grazing by livestock, and arable land, used solely for growing crops.[76]
The municipality of Matamoros is found the Rio Grande River basin, and by means of irrigation, the agricultural sector flourishes in production. The two main water suppliers are the Rio Grande River and the Arroyo del Tigre, which have dams that irrigate the region.[37]
[edit] Livestock
The bovine is the most predominant livestock in the municipality of Matamoros, and the commercialization of its meat is the principal income of ranchers in the region. In fact, livestock production goes as the following: bovine (62%), pigs (16%), and sheep (9%).[77]
In the northern part of Tamaulipas, near the municipality of Matamoros, the breeding of calves is characterized and well known for having European blood. However, this is only seen among specialized, high quality meat industries that breed Charolais cattle, Simmental cattle, and the Zebus.[78]
[edit] Fishing Industry
Matamoros, Tamaulipas counts with more than 117 kilometers of coast in the Gulf of Mexico, and with a total of 70,000 hectares of the Laguna Madre. In addition, there is fishing activities in spots like Higuerillas, la Capilla, Rincón de las Flores, el Mezquital, and Playa Bagdad. The city counts with 10 fishing corporations operating in all of these areas.[79]
[edit] Playa Bagdad
Bagdad Beach, also known as Playa Lauro Villar, is 27 km east of Matamoros, about 20 minutes in trajectory.[80] At Playa Bagdad, important fishing tournaments are held each year, where participants from all over the state of Tamaulipas get together.[81] During Holy Week, the beach experiences an abundant presence of visitors, primarily from Nuevo León, when Playa Bagdad becomes the host of several concerts, sport tournaments, and festivals.[82]
In 1985, during the yearly festival of ‘Festival del Mar,’ Rigo Tovar, along with other important attractions, played in Playa Bagdad. Bands like ‘La Firma’, ‘La Mira de Linares,’ and ‘La Leyenda,’ along with several other pop groups, have also played during the month of April, the most visited period of the year.[83] In addition, Playa Bagdad counts with several important seafood restaurants. Jet Ski, surfing, and even motocross and off-road 4x4 racing are allowed with few area restrictions.[84] In a single day during summer breaks, the number of visitors can get as high as 180,000.
[edit] Cultural attractions
Fortress of Casamata, converted into Museum Casamata in 1970, was a bastion that now guards a fine collection of prehispanic figurines and artifacts dating from central historic moments:[85] the Spanish colonist era, the Mexican War of Independence, and the contentious Mexican Revolution.[86] Unique and curious items are also exhibited, such as an iron casket where the remains of fearless General Canales once rested (fought against both American and French invasions) and the dark tunnels lounged beneath the construction, inevitable reference for local horror stories.[87] The existence of a multipurpose hall and newspaper library also provide extra interest to the museum.
The ‘Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Tamaulipas (MACT),’ inaugurated in 1969, is largest and most important art museum in the city, and one of the most memorable in the state of Tamaulipas.[88] Art and photo exhibitions are held yearlong at MACT. Artworks from Mexico City, Monterrey, New York City, Los Angeles, Milan, and Paris have been displayed at this museum.[89]
The central ‘plaza’ in Matamoros is home to the Presidential Offices, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, and of the Casino Matamorense, along with other historical buildings.[90] The 'Teatro Reforma', the most important theater in the city, is found a few blocks away. In January 28, 1829, the plaza was named after the heroic and historical figure Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, who fought in the Mexican War of Independence. Moreover, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora Villa del Refugio, constructed in 1831, was one of the first mayor constructions and is one of the present symbols of the city. Its neoclassical architecture, along with its rich, historical background, attracts visitors yearlong. The Casino Matamorense, constructed in 1950, is traditionally considered the center of social gatherings for the principal families of Matamoros.[91] Also with its unique architecture, Centro Cultural Olimpico, is a historical creation built in the city. Nothing like it had been done before. And finally, the 'Teatro Reforma,' once considered the 'House of the Opera of the XIX Century', was constructed in 1861. For decades, the theater was home to important balls held by the richest families of Matamoros and the high-ranking military officers of the state. In addition, 'Teatro Reforma' is well known for being the first place in history where the Mexican National Anthem was played.[92]
The city of Matamoros, Tamaulipas has a warm, semi-arid climate, with mild winters, and hot, humid summers. Its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico accompanies cooler winds during the summers and winters, compared to its sister cities of Reynosa and Nuevo Laredo, which are farther inland. Moreover, the climate of Matamoros is subtropical, with relatively low precipitation patterns distributed throughout the summer, and with summer temperatures ranging from 30-40°C. Temperatures above 38°C are very uncommon, just as the other extreme, where freezing temperatures during the winter are rarely seen as well.
Heavy rainfall is usually seen during the months of July and August, although it is not uncommon to go about without any rain whatsoever during the "wet" season. The average temperatures during the winters usually range around 0-10°C; this seasons is usually attended with rain, drizzle, and fog. The last snowfall was seen on December 25, 2004, which is the greatest snowfall ever recorded in the city, with up to 3.8 cm (1.5 in) in one day. Despite its proximity to the humid Gulf Coast, the city is appallingly dry, receiving an average of 698 mm (27.48 in) of precipitation annually.
| Climate data for Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico |
| Month |
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Year |
| Record high °C (°F) |
34
(93) |
34
(93) |
41
(106) |
39
(102) |
39
(102) |
39
(102) |
39
(102) |
40
(104) |
41
(106) |
37
(99) |
37
(99) |
34
(93) |
41
(106) |
| Average high °C (°F) |
22
(72) |
23
(73) |
26
(79) |
29
(84) |
31
(88) |
33
(91) |
34
(93) |
35
(95) |
33
(91) |
30
(86) |
26
(79) |
22
(72) |
28.7
(83.6) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) |
17
(63) |
18
(64) |
21
(70) |
24
(75) |
27
(81) |
29
(84) |
29
(84) |
30
(86) |
28
(82) |
25
(77) |
21
(70) |
17
(63) |
23.8
(74.9) |
| Average low °C (°F) |
11
(52) |
13
(55) |
16
(61) |
19
(66) |
22
(72) |
24
(75) |
24
(75) |
24
(75) |
23
(73) |
19
(66) |
16
(61) |
12
(54) |
18.6
(65.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) |
−8
(18) |
−11
(12) |
−2
(28) |
3
(37) |
5
(41) |
13
(55) |
14
(57) |
17
(63) |
11
(52) |
2
(36) |
−3
(27) |
−9
(16) |
−11
(12) |
| Rainfall mm (inches) |
32.3
(1.272) |
28.4
(1.118) |
31.2
(1.228) |
39.1
(1.539) |
67.1
(2.642) |
65.3
(2.571) |
51.8
(2.039) |
62.0
(2.441) |
150.4
(5.921) |
95.0
(3.74) |
46.2
(1.819) |
29.2
(1.15) |
698
(27.48) |
| Source: The Weather Channel [93] |
The international exchange of goods and services between the U.S. and Mexico is seen in effect throughout the city of Matamoros with the presence of its four international bridges. It is worth mentioning that Matamoros, Tamaulipas is the only border city in the U.S.-Mexico border that has four international bridges.[94]
- Veterans International Bridge: Commonly known as "Los Tomates Bridge", this gateway is the largest and newest bridge in the Brownsville-Matamoros metropolitan area.[97]
Bronze statue honoring
Rigo Tovar in Matamoros, Tamaulipas
- Rigo Tovar (1940–2005): Famous Cumbia singer who is considered the musical pioneer of fusing electric guitars, synthesizers and rock melody with traditional Mexican music.[103]
- Juan Nepomuceno Guerra (1915–2001): Mexican drug lord and founder of the Gulf Cartel. He smuggled alcohol to the United States in the 1930s and later made a transition to drugs during the 1970s with his nephew, Juan Garcia Abrego.[107]
- Juan García Ábrego (1944–present): Mexican drug lord and former leader of the Gulf Cartel during the 1980s. He is considered one of the godfathers in his cartel, under the tutelage of his uncle Juan Nepomuceno Guerra. After residing on the FBI's Most Wanted list, he was imprisoned in 1996 and still remains in jail.[108]
- Raúl Garate Legleu (1896–1977): Military general and former governor of Tamaulipas; named police chief of Mexico City in 1920 and Subsecretary of National Defense of Mexico in 1947.[112]
- Guadalupe Mainero (1856–1912): Influential lawyer, journalist, and governor of Tamaulipas in 1896. In addition, he served as the President of the Supreme Court in Mexico in 1888.[113]
- Adalberto J. Argüelles (1850–1923): Notable professor, member of parliament, and served as director of the Educación Federal, La Sociedad Benefactora, and as member of Alianza Obrera Progresista.[114]
- Eliseo Paredes Manzano (1899–1988): businessman and journalist who served as mayor of Matamoros. He was the founder of Crédito Industrial de Monterrey and of Asociación de Charros, treasurer of Comité Pro-Educación local, director of Cruz Roja, president of Club Rotario, and commander of Tercer Batallón Regional de la Defensa Civil.[115]
Main article:
Gulf CartelThe Gulf Cartel (Spanish: Cártel del Golfo, Golfos, or CDG)[117][118] is one of the most powerful drug cartels in Mexico,[119] and perhaps the oldest organized crime group in the country.[120] It is currently based in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, directly across the border from Brownsville, Texas. It also has significant presence in 3 states around Mexico, with important areas of operation in the cities of Matamoros, Reynosa, Miguel Alemán, Tampico, and Ciudad Victoria in the northern state of Tamaulipas.[121] It also has important operations in the states of Nuevo León and Veracruz.[122] It smuggles cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, and other illegal drugs into the United States.
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