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Veracruz is the name of both a state in Mexico and that state's largest city. This article is about the city. For the state, see: state of Veracruz. For other uses, see Veracruz (disambiguation).

Veracruz from space, July 1997

The city of Veracruz is a major port city and municipality on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The metropolitan area is Mexico's third largest on the Gulf coast (after Tampico and Coatzacoalcos) and an important port on Mexico's east coast. It is located 105 km (65 mi.) along Federal Highway 140 from the state capital Xalapa, and is the state's most populous city, with a population of 444,438 in the city and 512,310 in the municipality, according to the 2005 census ^[1]. The municipality has an area of 241 km² (93.05 sq mi) and includes such outlying communities as Valente Díaz and Las Amapolas. The metropolitan area, which includes the municipalities of Boca del Río and Alvarado, had a total population of 702,394, compared to metro Tampico's total of 803,196.

It is often referred to as Puerto de Veracruz to distinguish it from the state. The people of Veracruz are known as Jarochos.

Anton Lizardo is located 23 km (14 mi) south of Veracruz, near Boca del Río. This beautiful beach with fine sand and calm waters makes up part of the Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (Veracruz Coral Reef System). These beaches are perfect for doing a wide variety of aquatic sports, especially for scuba diving at the incredible coral reefs. It is also the home of the Mexican Naval Academy.

Isla de Sacrificios is located off the coast of Veracruz port. The island gets its name (Island of Sacrifices) from the sacrifices that were once carried out by its original inhabitants. The waters here make up part of the Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Marine Park, where you can go scuba diving and kayaking. It's currently closed to the public, and it is protected by the Secretary of the Navy.

Playa Chachalacas is located 50 km (31 mi) north of Veracruz, this long beach of fine sand and calm waters is ideal for doing all kinds of aquatic sports. Here you can take out an all-terrain vehicle on the big sand dunes.

Mocambo is Located 8 km (5 mi) south of the port of Veracruz. This is one of the most visited beaches and is ideal for relaxing or enjoying various water sports.

Old Spanish fort on Veracruz's waterfront, taken from the malecón (boardwalk)

View of central Veracruz, taken from the far end of the city's boardwalk (malecón). The cathedral can be seen in the far background.

The sea port was founded by Hernán Cortés, who first landed there in 1519 at the start of his quest to conquer Mexico for Spain. It was named La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz ("The Rich Town of the True Cross"; the name is also occasionally given as La Rica Villa de la Vera Cruz).

It was New Spain's main port, where silver and wares from the Manila Galleons transported overland from Acapulco were loaded onto the Spanish treasure fleets for shipment to Spain. The port was harassed by hostile powers and by pirates, who succeeded in pillaging the city in 1653 and in 1712. In response to such dangers the large fortress of San Juan de Ulúa was built on an island in the harbour, beginning in 1565 and substantially expanded several times later.

A natural harbour, Veracruz has been fought over throughout its history, and boasts the title "Four Times Heroic" in reference to the expulsion of the Spanish in 1815, the 1838 occupation of the French Navy in the Pastry War, and resistance to the United States's occupations of 1847 and 1914 (see: Siege of Veracruz and U.S. occupation of Veracruz, 1914).

During the Mexican-American War, US forces led by Gen. Winfield Scott took the city on March 29, 1847 after a siege. It was captured by France in 1838 and again in 1861. In 1914 it was occupied by the United States for seven months because of the Tampico Affair, this time under Major General Frederick Funston.

The railroad connecting Veracruz to Mexico City, 425 km (264 mi.) inland over mountain ranges, was constructed during the administration of Benito Juárez and inaugurated in 1873.

Municipal Palace of Veracruz

The Carranza Lighthouse overlooks Veracruz's malecón

The plaza in the center of the city of Veracruz

As of the census of 2000, there were 500,000 people living in Veracruz City.

The racial makeup of the city was 60% Mestizo, 15% Black/Afro-Mexican, 15% Indian, 9% Mixed, the remaining 1% is composed by many immigrants, especially Middle-Easterns and Italians.

The city is known for its rich traditions of music, including marimba bands, danzón and comparsa. A special kind of music called son jarocho, a mix of Mexican folk music and Cuban son, was developed in southern Veracruz state, in and around Veracruz, Veracruz. La Bamba is the most famous example of son jarocho. An equally rich dance tradition parallels Veracruz's unique musical styles.

In downtown Veracruz, a large marble-tiled zócalo, called the Plaza de Armas or Plaza Lerdo, is the heart of the city's lively nightlife. It is lined with arcades that house bars and cafes. On a nearly nightly basis large groups of people sit outside in the plaza enjoying food, drinks and cigars, while they watch musicians and dancers that perform in the square. Veracruz's 18th century cathedral and 17th century Palacio Municipal are also located on the plaza.

The yearly Carnaval festival in Veracruz, a nine-day party in February or March, is the most spectacular festival of its kind, and it's also the oldest organized Carnaval in Mexico. The city also celebrates a yearly Afrocaribeño festival in July. These festivities illustrate the fact that the city is in many ways more connected to Caribbean culture than that of inland Mexico.

The "Malecón" harborfront walk along the docks draws many tourists, more from within Mexico than foreigners. The city has several beaches as well, like Villa del Mar and Mocambo.

Veracruz in 1854

the "La Grand Cafe de la Parroquia is the most famous coffehouse in Veracruz. Its signature drink is the "lechero" which consists of expresso coffee mixed with steamed milk.

As a bustling port city, Veracruz was the site of some of the most vicious pirate raids in the Gulf of Mexico. In 1683, the 5000 citizens of Veracruz were trapped in the city, when the pirates Laurens de Graff and Michel de Grammont held it under siege. Together their crew of 600 looted the city and terrorized the inhabitants and left unscathed several days later.

Secret tunnels are said to exist under the city. Local lore has it that they were built during the colonial era by a countess who used them to engage affairs with men in different locations in the city while her husband was away.

• Veracruz Info
• Veracruz City government, in Spanish
• La Villa Rica de la Veracruz, in Spanish
• Museum of Veracruz, in Spanish

• Veracruz, Veracruz is at coordinates 19°11′05″N 96°07′47″W / 19.1848, -96.1296Coordinates: 19°11′05″N 96°07′47″W / 19.1848, -96.1296