NAYARIT

estado (state), west-central Mexico, on the Pacific Ocean. It is bounded northwest by Sinaloa, northeast and east by Durango, and south by Jalisco. The Sierra Madre Occidental rises steeply from the narrow Pacific littoral and, running southeast, cuts the state's terrain into deep gorges and narrow valleys. Peaks include the volcanoes Ceboruco and Sangangey. The coastal lagoons are well-known wild bird refuges. The main river, Grande de Santiago, flowing northwestward into Nayarit from Lake Chapala, is sometimes considered a continuation of the Lerma. The Santiago moves westward through Nayarit and empties north of San Blas, chief Pacific port of Nayarit; its valley is extremely fertile. Mining is important in the mountains, but the state is primarily agricultural. Its products include corn (maize), tobacco, sugarcane, cotton, beans, coffee, various woods, and medicinal plants. Major west-coast highways and railroads traverse Nayarit, linking Tepic, the state capital, with Mazatln and the plateau cities. There are small, scattered villages of Cora and Huichol Indians throughout the Sierras. Area 10,417 square miles (26,979 square km). Pop. (1990) 824,643.