Satellite image of Tampico, Winter/Spring 1997. One of the leading seaports in Mexico, the city of Tampico is visible (near the center of the image) in this west-southwest-looking view. Situated on the Gulf Coastal Plain on the Panuco River 5 miles (8 km) from its mouth, Tampico boasts a port with excellent loading facilities and good communications, making it the most modern port in Mexico. Tampico has the largest fishing industries in Mexico, plus oil refineries, boatyards, sawmills, and agricultural crop and livestock facilities. The Panuco River is dredged to keep the harbor facilities open to the Gulf of Mexico (lower portion of image). The city is surrounded inland by swamps and numerous shallow lakes. Tourism is a major industry in Tampico as there are many fine beaches both to the north and south of the city. Oil refineries within the city process over a third of Mexico's oil. Occasionally, Tampico does experience severe hurricanes from the Gulf of Mexico.
Source: NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration