Page:Mexico of the Mexicans.djvu/137

Rh Durango is a State which possesses as many climates as it has altitudes, and from a scenic point of view it is perhaps the most beautiful in Mexico, presenting as it does wonderful vistas of mountain and lake country. Nowhere in Mexico are such magnificent flowers raised, and these are so varied—because of the differences in climate found in Durango—as to constitute an almost entire botanical museum. The mineral sources of Durango, too, are generous, and on its plains more than a million head of cattle are raised annually. The city of Durango itself is one of the oldest and most picturesque in Mexico, with regular streets and squares, and a wonderful Spanish State-house.

Sinaloa, a Pacific State, has been to some extent neglected—cut off as it is from the rest of Mexico by a lofty range of mountains, which, however, contain great mineral wealth. Its valleys produce cotton in abundance, and its pastures thousands of cattle. Its scenery is somewhat severe and rugged, but the more hilly portions are heavily timbered, an advantage for a State lying near the seaboard. The climate is rainy in the higher districts, but agreeable nearer the coast. Mazatlan, the principal port, was on the verge of development when the Revolution broke out in all its fury, retarding progress here as in so many other places. Speculative American land-syndicates have wreaked some havoc in this State, aided to some extent by the neglect of its Government to safeguard new settlers.

Nuevo Léon is certainly the most important State in the Union next to Mexico itself. It is most happily situated, but unfortunately suffers from a rather trying climate. Its capital, Monterey, has a population of nearly 80,000 people, and is far more American than Mexican in type. It was founded so long ago as 1560, and is built on a plain surrounded by lofty, green mountains. The suburban quarter is attractive