Matamoros

Matamoros is a city in the north of the Mexican state of Tamaulipas. Matamoros is located at 25°52'N 97°30'W, across the Rio Grande from the U.S. state of Texas. In 2003, Matamoros had an estimated population of 405,300. Baltazar Hinojosa Ochoa is the mayor for the period 2005-2007. Matamoros is about 1000 km away from Mexico City and 571 km from Houston, Texas. The city was renamed for Independence War hero Mariano Matamoros in the early 19th century. The city also holds the "H" for "Heroic" or "Heroica" before the name because the city was defended from invaders trying to take over it over.