 In the pre-Hispanic period, the area was heavily influenced by Huastecas and local cultures, later dominated by the Chichimecas, especially the Pames.Complete Spanish domination came late, in the mid 18th century, but two of the five Franciscan mission complexes built to solidify this domination were built in the municipality.Today, Landa de Matamoros remains rural and impoverished with a high rate of emigration out of the area, especially to the United States.