Zapata is located at the
intersection of State Highway 16 & U.S. Highway 83. The
nearest Interstate Highway (IH-35) is located 50 miles North
on U.S. 83, at the Southern Terminus of IH-35, in Laredo. Just
across the Rio Grande is the state of Tamaulipas,
Mexico.
Average Elevation (Zapata
County) 404 feet Zapata County area 1058 square miles (997
land and 61 water) The elevations within Zapata County
range from 200 to 700 feet above sea level. Zapata County has
light-colored loamy soils over reddish or mottled clay
subsoil; limestone lies in places within forty inches of the
surface. The flora includes thorny shrubs, grasses, mesquite,
and cacti. Less than 1 percent of the county is considered
prime farmland. Natural resources include caliche, lignite
coal, sand, gravel, oil, and gas. In the year 2003, Natural
gas production was 282.6 billion cubic feet, which made Zapata
County the second leading Natural Gas producing county in the
state. In 2004, the gas production was 300.1 billion cubic
feet, which made Zapata County the leading gas producing
county in the state.
The town of Zapata, has the largest
population in the county and is the county seat. Zapata is
nestled on the shores of Falcon Lake and abounds in exciting
and romantic history. The Spanish Mexican heritage of the
region is quite apparent and very influential in every aspect
of life, for it covers a period of over three hundred years of
exploration and settlement. The people are justly proud of the
rich historical and social heritage that is
theirs.
A growing border community, Zapata
continues to capture the imagination and spirit of visitors
and residents alike. On behalf of the town of Zapata, we
invite you to experience all that we have to offer, and join
us in saying: there's always a new day in Zapata. Viva
Zapata!
Today Zapata County represents a
unique blending of the old and the new. Just 15 miles north of
Zapata, the town of San Ygnacio is one of the most historical
villages along the Rio Grande. Complementing the historic
ambiance of downtown, the neighborhoods contain over 10
historic homes and beautiful plaza which offers a delightful
viewing area. Because of its unique antiquity and typical
early Spanish - Mexican architecture, San Ygnacio has been the
setting for the filming of several motion pictures. The best
known perhaps is Viva Zapata with Marlon Brando. With its
quiet historic charm, San Ygnacio is recognized as a fine
retirement and vacation community. Attractive RV, mobile home
and cabin sites along the Rio Grande and Falcon Lake are
available at reasonable prices.
Falcon, Texas
Home of Falcon State Park and the
Falcon Dam. The Dam has as its purpose water conservation,
irrigation and the generation of hydroelectric power. It also
provides a free crossing into Mexico.
The name Falcon comes from Rita de
la Garza Falcon, a native of Congregacion del Refugio (now
Matamoros, Mexico, across the Rio Grande from Brownsville). In
1780 Rita married Don Jose Ramirez, the original grantee of
lands on which the old town of Falcon was built. In 1915, when
a post office was established there, the name was changed to
Falcon from Ramireno. (now under the waters of Falcon
Lake)
