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Del Rio[rE´O] Pronunciation Key, city (1990 pop. 30,705), seat of Val Verde co., W Tex., on the Rio Grande opposite Ciudad Acuna, Mexico; founded 1868, inc. 1911. It is the marketing and distribution center for a region known for its sheep, wool, and mohair. Irrigated farms also yield truck crops and fruits (especially grapes). Its bridge to Mexico has made Del Rio important in tourist traffic and in importing from Mexican factories (see maquiladoras). Laughlin Air Force Base is to the east. The spectacular S-shaped International Amistad (Friendship) Dam and its lake on the Rio Grande are 12 mi (19 km) northeast. Del Rio suffered disastrous floods in Aug., 1998.
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