“ Part of the state on the Atlantic coast and along the lower Parnahyba is low, swampy and malarial. South of this the country rises gradually to a high plateau with open campos. This plateau region is watered by numerous tributaries of the Parnahyba, chief of which are the Urussuhy, the Canindé and its tributary the Piauhy, the Gurgueia and its tributary the Parahim, which drains the large inland lake of Parnaguá, the Longa, and the Poty, which has its source in the state of Ceará. The Parnahyba is navigable for boats of 3 ft. ”

“ The town dates from 1852, is attractively situated, and is regularly laid out with broad, straight streets crossing each other at right angles. The population of the municipio in 1890 was 31,523, which includes a large rural district Other towns, with their populations in 1890, are Oeiras (19,858) , founded in 1718 under the name of Moxa, Amarante (15,525) ”