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Tabasco

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Tabasco is a state in southeast Mexico.

Tabasco in Mexico (location map scheme)
Tabasco in Mexico (location map scheme)

It sits near the Gulf of Mexico to the north. The state also borders Guatemala to the south and east. It is next to the Mexican states of Campeche, Chiapas, and Veracruz.

Tabasco and its neighbors
Tabasco and its neighbors

Most of the land is covered in thick tropical rainforest. This is because Tabasco gets a lot of rain all year long. Unlike many other parts of Mexico, the rain here never really stops.

Pantanos de Centla 2
Pantanos de Centla 2

The land has many different shapes and parts. There are low floodplains, deep valleys, and some mountains in the south.

Tapijulapa Sierrra
Tapijulapa Sierrra

The state is split into two main regions. The Grijalva Region is smaller but has more people and cities. The Usumacinta Region is more rural and has more farmland.

Regions of tabasco-Es
Regions of tabasco-Es

Many towns depend on the big rivers in these areas. Some parts of the state are also covered in grassy savannas or sandy beaches.

Paraiso.Catamaran
Paraiso.Catamaran

History in Tabasco goes back a very long time. About 3,000 years ago, the Olmec civilization lived here.

Comalcalco
Comalcalco

They are known as the founding culture of Mesoamerica. Their main site was called La Venta. Later, the Mayans also lived in the state.

Comalcalco
Comalcalco

They reached their peak between the 6th and 7th centuries. In the 1500s, Spanish explorers like Hernán Cortés arrived. They found the land was very good for growing cacao.

Entrance of Cortés La Conquista de Mexico (Tabasco city) Painting
Entrance of Cortés La Conquista de Mexico (Tabasco city) Painting

There is so much life to see in Tabasco. You might spot a jaguar, an ocelot, or a spider monkey in the trees.

Tenosique Rafting
Tenosique Rafting

Bright birds like macaws and parrots fly through the canopy. In the wet marshes, you can find crocodiles and turtles.

Pantanos de Centla 2
Pantanos de Centla 2

Even large manatees swim in the bigger bodies of water. The state has many protected areas like the Centla Biosphere Reserve. These places help keep the many species of plants and animals safe.

Today, Tabasco is a busy and important state. Its capital city is Villahermosa, which sits by the Grijalva River.

Villahermosa Panorámica 3
Villahermosa Panorámica 3

The state is also known for producing petroleum and natural gas. This means they find oil deep underground.

Paraíso Puerto de Dos Bocas
Paraíso Puerto de Dos Bocas

Because the land is so flat, flooding happens often in September and November. People use large dams to help control the water.

2007 Tabasco flood
2007 Tabasco flood

Even with the rain and floods, it remains a beautiful, green place.

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🖼️ Images & Media (40)
Marcha Tabasco.ogg
File:Tabasco in Mexico (location map scheme).svg
Tabasco in Mexico (location map scheme).svg
File:Tabasco and its neighbors.svg
Tabasco and its neighbors.svg
File:Morena logo (Mexico).svg
Morena logo (Mexico).svg
File:Regions of tabasco-Es.png
Regions of tabasco-Es.png
File:Villahermosa Panorámica 3.jpg
Villahermosa Panorámica 3.jpg
File:Villahermosa Panorámica 1.jpg
Villahermosa Panorámica 1.jpg
File:Comalcalco.jpg
Comalcalco.jpg
File:Entrance of Cortés La Conquista de Mexico (Tabasco city) Painting.jpg
Entrance of Cortés La Conquista de Mexico...
File:Intervención estadounidense en Tabasco.jpg
Intervención estadounidense en Tabasco.jpg
File:Revolucionarios tabasqueños.jpg
Revolucionarios tabasqueños.jpg
File:Villahermosa.Palacio de Gobierno 01.JPG
Villahermosa.Palacio de Gobierno 01.JPG

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