The name may come from the Náhuatl language Tla-mia-hua-c: "In the flowers of maize of the land"; or Huasteco, Tam-yan-ja: "Place of great waters".

The municipality of Tamiahua is delimited to the north by Ozuluama and Tampico Alto, to the east by Gulf of Mexico, to the south by Temapache and Tuxpam de Rodríguez Cano, and to the west by Tamalín, Chinampa de Gorostiza, Naranjos Amatlán, Tancoco and Cerro Azul.

[1] Its development has allowed the creation of two wharves and two piers, and the municipality has established industries between two medians emphasizing the production of oysters.

The town produces principally maize, beans, green chile and orange fruit.

Along the coastline fresh seafood, including shrimp, crabs, and oysters, is harvested and attracts tourism to the area.