COLIMA

city, capital of Colima estado (state), west-central Mexico. It lies along the Colima River in the Sierra Madre foothills, 1,667 feet (508 m) above sea level. Although it was founded in 1522, Colima has played a minor role in Mexican history because of its inaccessibility. It is now connected by rail and paved highway to the port of Manzanillo, as well as to interior points. Its industries centre upon the processing of local agricultural products (including cotton, rice, and corn ), together with salt refining, alcohol distilling, and the manufacture of shoes and leather goods. It is the site of the University of Colima (1867; reorganized 1962). Pop. (1980) 86,044. small estado (state) on the Pacific coast of west-central Mexico, bounded by the Pacific Ocean (south and west) and by the states of Jalisco (northwest and north) and Michoacn (east). Its area of 2,004 square miles (5,191 square km) includes the Revillagigedo Islands (q.v.), 500 miles (800 km) off the coast. Most of Colima is within the narrow coastal plain, beyond which it rises toward the northeast into the Sierra Madre foothills. It is drained by the Armera and Coahuayana rivers, which are used for irrigation. The soil is generally fertile and productive, but lack of transportation has impeded development. The climate is hot and humid, becoming drier and more healthful on the higher mountain slopes. Livestock raising is an important industry in the more elevated regions. Agriculture is the principal occupation, the most important crops being sugarcane, rice, corn (maize), palm oil, and mountain-grown coffee. Mineral deposits include iron, copper, and lead. Salt is produced at Cuyutln, on the coast. A railroad and a highway traverse the state, leading from Guadalajara and Mexico City through Colima, the state capital, to the port city of Manzanillo, a Pacific-coast resort offering bathing beaches and fishing. Pop. (1986 est.) 405,480.