TIERRA BLANCA

city, southern Veracruz state, south central Mexico, in the Gulf of Mexico lowland, in the Ro Papaloapan Valley, near the border of Oaxaca state, at an elevation of 200 ft (60 m) above sea level. Its climate is hot and humid. Tierra Blanca plays an important role in regional agriculture, industry, and transportation. The area is noted principally for its livestock and petroleum, but corn (maize), beans, bananas, rice, mangoes, and other tropical crops are grown. A rail junction on the routes linking Mexico City and Veracruz with the Yucatn, Tierra Blanca has railroad shops. It is also accessible by highway from Veracruz to the north-northeast and from the plateau cities to the northwest. Pop. (1970) 22,727.