SAN LUIS POTOS

city, capital of San Luis Potos estado (state), northeastern Mexico. Situated on the central plateau, it has an elevation of 6,158 feet (1,877 m) above sea level, which gives it a temperate climate. Founded as a Franciscan mission in 1583 and made a city in 1658, San Luis Potos was the centre of the region's colonial administration and played an important part in the political disorders following Mexico's independence. For a brief time in 1863 it was the seat of Benito Jurez' government, and it was there that Francisco I Madero drew up his Plan of San Luis Potos (1910), which contained the political and social goals for the Mexican Revolution. The city is the hub of a rich silver-mining and agricultural region and is a leading manufacturing and metal smelting and refining centre. It is known for its Spanish Baroque-style cathedral, the state capitol, and several churches. The Autonomous University of San Luis Potos was founded there in 1923. It is on major highway and railroad routes and possesses an airport. Pop. (1980) 338,000. inland-plateau estado (state), northeastern Mexico. It is bounded north by Coahuila; east by Nuevo Len, Tamaulipas, and Veracruz; south by Hidalgo, Quertaro, and Guanajuato; and west by Zacatecas. Although the surface (24,351 square miles [63,068 square km]) is generally level and the mean elevation is about 6,000 feet (1,800 m), rainfall is light and uncertain and drainage is poor. The soil is fertile, however, and in favourable seasons large crops are cultivated in the uplands and in the lower tropical valleys. Livestock raising is important, and hides, tallow, and wool are exported. Lumber is also exported to a limited extent. In addition, some of the richest silver mines in Mexico are located in San Luis Potos. The state has good transportation networks; the major highway and railroad leading from Piedras Negras to Mexico City via Monterrey pass through San Luis Potos city, the estado capital. Pop. (1987 est.) 1,985,000.