58 
CHAP. VI. 
STATISTICAL NOTES OF THE ISTHMUS OF TEHUANTEPEC. 
Southern Division in the Department of Oajaca—the Northern in 
that of Vera Cruz — Inhabitants — Climate — Minerals — Vegeta¬ 
bles — Animals — Agriculture — Cattle — Salines—Manufactures and 
Industry — Antiquities. 
The isthmus of Tehuantepec belongs to the Mexican Re¬ 
public, and forms part of the departments of Oajaca and Vera 
Cruz. According to the official reports, published by the 
Mexican Government in December 10th, 1841, as a basis for 
the elections, the former department contains a population of 
500,278 inhabitants, and the latter, 250,380. 
The two extremities of the isthmus are the only inhabited 
portions, and they are separated from each other by an im¬ 
mense forest of astonishing beauty, which, from the richness of 
its natural produce contains evidently treasures of incalculable 
value, but which with its luxuriance conceals the aspect and 
form of the hitherto unexplored soil, on which it stands. 
SOUTHERN DIVISION. DEPARTMENT OF OAJACA. 
This part of the Isthmus is topographically divided by 
nature into two sections. The first occupies the plain which 
extends from the Pacific Ocean to the foot of the Sierra, and 
the second belongs to the Sierra itself. 
Politically, the southern grounds of the Isthmus constitute 
the greater part of the district of Tehuantepec, and comprise 
twenty-four municipalities; the town of Tehuantepec, which 
the Spaniards call also Guadalcazar, is the head of the dis¬ 
trict ; and the residence of a Prefect, a Judge of first instance, 
a military Commander, and a parish Priest. Juchitan and 
Petapa are the heads of two sub-districts with their respective 
Sub-prefects. 
