State (pop., 2000: 920,185), west-central Mexico.
It covers an area of 10,664 sq mi (27,620 sq km), and its capital is Tepic . The Sierra Madre rises steeply from the Pacific littoral and cuts the terrain into gorges and valleys. Peaks include the volcanoes Ceboruco and Sangangüey. The coastal lagoons are well-known bird refuges. The main river, Grande de Santiago, flowing from Lake Chapala , is sometimes considered a continuation of the Lerma River . The economy is primarily based on agriculture.