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Veracruz (city)

Veracruz (Spanish pronunciation: [beɾaˈkɾus] ), also known as Heroica Veracruz, is a major port city and municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico and the most populous city in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city is located along the coast in the central part of the state,[4] 90 km (56 mi) southeast of the state capital Xalapa.

Veracruz
Heroica Veracruz
Top: Clavijero Theatre (left) and City Hall (right); middle top: aerial view of Veracruz; middle bottom: Portal de Miranda (left), Venustiano Carranza Lighthouse (center) and Veracruz Cathedral (right) ; bottom: Castle of San Juan de Ulúa (left) and Portales de Lerdo (right)
Veracruz
Veracruz
Coordinates: 19°11′25″N 96°09′12″W / 19.19028°N 96.15333°W / 19.19028; -96.15333
Country Mexico
StateVeracruz
MunicipalityVeracruz
Established22 April 1519[1]
(505 years ago)
Founded asVilla Rica de la Vera Cruz
Founded byHernán Cortés
Government
 • Municipal PresidentPatricia Lobeira Rodríguez (PAN)
Area
 • Metro
1,641.6 km2 (633.8 sq mi)
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2020)
 • City and municipality607,209
 • Metro
939,046 (metro)
GDP (PPP, constant 2015 values)
 • Year2023
 • Total$19.1 billion[2]
 • Per capita$20,000
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Websiteveracruzmunicipio.gob.mx
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1995 425,140—    
2000 457,377+7.6%
2005 512,310+12.0%
2010 552,156+7.8%
2015 609,964+10.5%
2020 607,209−0.5%
[3]

It is the state's most populous city, with a population that is greater than the municipality's population, as part of the city of Veracruz extends into the neighboring municipality of Boca del Río. At the 2020 census, Veracruz Municipality had a population of 607,209 inhabitants. The city of Veracruz had a population of 537,952 inhabitants, 405,952 in Veracruz municipality and 132,011 in Boca del Río municipality.[3] Developed during Spanish colonization, Veracruz is Mexico's oldest, largest, and historically most significant port.[4][5][6]

When the Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico on 22 April 1519, he founded a city here, which he named Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz, referring to the area's gold and dedicated to the "True Cross", because he landed on the Christian holy day of Good Friday, the day of the Crucifixion. It was the first Spanish settlement on the mainland of the Americas to receive a coat-of-arms.[4] During the colonial period, this city had the largest mercantile class and was at times wealthier than the capital, Mexico City.[7] Its wealth attracted the raids of 17th-century pirates, against which fortifications such as Fort San Juan de Ulúa were built. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Veracruz was invaded on different occasions by France and the United States; in the aftermath of the 1914 Tampico Affair, US troops occupied the city for seven months.[4] For much of the 20th century, the production of petroleum was most important for the state's economy[8] but, in the latter 20th century and into the 21st, the port has re-emerged as the main economic engine. It has become the principal port for most of Mexico's imports and exports, especially for the automotive industry.[6]

Veracruz has a blend of cultures, mostly indigenous, Spanish and Afro-Caribbean. The influence of these three is best seen in the food and music of the area, which has strong Spanish, Caribbean and African influences.[5][9][10]

Etymology edit

The name Veracruz (originally Vera Cruz), derives from the Latin Vera Crux (True Cross). Having established the settlement of Villa Rica (Rich Village) on Good Friday, 22 April 1519, Cortés dedicated the place to the True Cross as an offering.

History edit

Spanish era edit

 
Toltec carving representing the Aztec Eagle, found in Veracruz, 10th–13th century. Metropolitan Museum of Art.[11]
 
Depiction of Veracruz and the Castle of San Juan de Ulúa in 1615.

The Spanish captain Juan de Grijalva, along with Bernal Díaz del Castillo, first arrived in 1518 at the island later known as San Juan de Ulúa.[12] The Spanish gave it that name because they landed on the Christian feast of John the Baptist (24 June), and in honor of the captain.[13] De Ulúa is derived from the local name for the Aztecs, coluha or acolhua. The word for Aztec evolved into Ulúa.[13][14]

While Veracruz itself was founded by Hernán Cortés who arrived in 1519, the area at the time was within the jurisdiction of Moctezuma II and his Aztec Empire.[15] Cortés and his men landed at the shore opposite the island where Grijalva had moored, which has the pre-Hispanic name of Chalchihuecan.[4] Cortés, Francisco de Montejo and Alonso Hernández Puertocarrero founded the settlement, naming it Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz.[16]: 102  The name Villa Rica (rich village) referred to the gold that was found here and Vera Cruz (True Cross) was added because the Cortés expedition landed on Good Friday, a Christian holy day.[4] When Cortés and his soldiers abolished the Aztec despotism and elected a Justicia Mayor and a Capitán General, they created the first city council on the American continent.[13] The city was the first on mainland America to receive a European coat of arms, which was authorized by Carlos V in Valladolid, Spain, on 4 July 1523.[4]

 
The Zócalo of Veracruz in 1836.

The original settlement was moved to what is now known as Antigua, at the mouth of the Huitzilapan (or Antigua River) shortly thereafter.[4] This separated the city from the port, as ships could not enter the shallow river. Ships continued to dock at San Juan de Ulúa, with small boats being used to ferry goods on and off the ships. When large-scale smuggling of goods took place to avoid customs officials,[13] the Spanish Crown ordered the settlement returned to its original site to cut down on that traffic.[4] Docks and an observation tower were constructed on the island to ensure that goods went through customs officials.[13]

As in other parts of Mexico, the indigenous peoples suffered from epidemics of European infectious diseases, which decimated the population after contact. The Spanish began to import African slaves via the port of Veracruz to work on sugarcane plantations. In the 16th century, the state had more slaves than any other in Mexico.[12] Before the slave trade was abolished, Mexico had the second-highest population of African slaves in the Americas, following Brazil.[citation needed]

By the end of the 16th century, the Spanish had constructed roads to link Veracruz with other cities such as Córdoba, Orizaba, Puebla, Xalapa and Perote. Their gold and silver were the principal exports.[12][13] This caused the city problems with pirates, prompting the construction of Fort San Juan de Ulúa on the island where Grijalva had landed in the mid-16th century.[4] Major public buildings were constructed at the beginning of the 17th century: the municipal palace, the monastery of Nuestra Señora de la Merced, and the Hospital de Nuestra Señora de Loreto. In 1618, a fire nearly reduced much of the city to ashes. In 1640, the Barlovento Armada was stationed here for additional defense against pirates.[4] Through the rest of the colonial period, this was the most important port in New Spain, with a large wealthy merchant class that was more prosperous than that of Mexico City.[7] The pirates Nicholas van Hoorn, Laurens de Graaf and Michel de Grammont attacked Vera Cruz in 1683.

19th century edit

 
The 1838 Battle of Veracruz, part of the 1st French-Mexican War.

The 19th century was marked by armed conflicts. During the Mexican War of Independence, Spain placed troops here to maintain Mexico City's sea link with Spain. In 1816, Antonio López de Santa Anna commanded royalist troops countering the insurgency. In 1820, insurgents took the city, despite Santa Anna's attempts to stop them. The last viceroy of New Spain, Juan O'Donojú, arrived here in 1821, where he signed the Treaty of Córdoba with Agustín de Iturbide at Fort San Juan de Ulúa. In 1823, Spanish troops remaining at Fort San Juan de Ulúa fired on the newly independent Mexican city of Veracruz. The city's defense against the attack earned its first title of "Heroic City". During the Pastry War in 1837, the city mounted a defense against a French attack, and earned its second title of "Heroic City."[4]

 
The 1847 Siege of Veracruz during the Mexican-American War.

In 1847 during the Mexican–American War, United States forces invaded the city. It was defended by generals Juan Morales and José Juan de Landero. The siege continued with brisk firing until 27 March, by which time a considerable breach had been made in the wall surrounding the city. Upon this General Morales, who was Governor of both the city and of San Juan de Ulúa, commenced a correspondence with General Winfield Scott looking to the surrender of the town, forts and garrison. On the 29th Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulúa were occupied by Scott's army. About five thousand prisoners and four hundred pieces of artillery, in addition to large amounts of small arms and ammunition, fell into the hands of the victorious invaders. The casualties on the US side during the siege amounted to sixty-four officers and men, killed and wounded.

 
Veracruz city center in 1876.

Ten years later, civil war between liberals and conservatives forced Benito Juárez's government to flee Mexico City. Juárez went to Veracruz and governed from there in 1857.[12] In 1861 Spain sent its troops to occupy the port in an effort to secure payment of debts, which Juárez had suspended. French military forces accompanied them to prepare for Maximiliano I and occupied the city when the emperor and his wife Carlota of Belgium arrived in 1864.[4]

20th century edit

The conflicts and damaged trade relations with Europe took its toll on the port of Veracruz. By 1902, the port facilities had deteriorated, and it was considered one of the most dangerous on the American coast. President Porfirio Díaz contracted with foreign enterprises to modernize the port's infrastructure.[13]

 
Soldiers at the port of Veracruz during the Mexican Revolution.

Between April and November 1914, during the Mexican Revolution (1910–1920), the US attacked and occupied the port in an effort to try to preserve trade in the dispute with President Victoriano Huerta.[17] The city gained its fourth title of "Heroic City".[4]

After the Revolution, most port workers became unionized. Through most of the 20th century, federal and state legal and political initiatives intended to better workers' lives had effects on the operations of the port. Eventually, unions came to have great power over the operations and tariffs charged. By the latter part of the 20th century, competing unions made the operations of the port difficult. Some blocked access to the port from federal roads and financial corruption was a problem.

 
American troops during the 1914 United States occupation of Veracruz.

In the 1970s, a federal commission was established to design a new administrative system for the ports of Mexico. The legislature passed laws authorizing the federal government to take control over important ports such as Veracruz. The federal government modernized the port, adopting automation of loading and unloading. This resulted in a reduction of 80% of the port's jobs and labor resistance through strikes. The dockworkers' unions unified, negotiating for members to have a stake in a new company to manage the port's functions, named the Empresa de Servicios Portuarios de Veracruz, S.A. de C.V. The old Compañia Terminal de Veracruz was dissolved in 1988 and the new organization was fully in place by 1991.[13]

21st century edit

In September 2010, Hurricane Karl, a small, strong Category 3 hurricane, caused widespread flooding and damage affecting approximately half a million people. Sixteen were confirmed dead with another eleven missing. Sixty-five municipalities in the state were declared disaster areas. Preliminary damage estimates total up to US$3.9 billion and $50 billion MXN.[18]

Geography edit

 
Satellite view of Veracruz.

As the municipal seat, the city of Veracruz is the governing authority for 128 other named localities during the 2010 census, forming a municipality with a territory of 241 km2 (93 sq mi).[4] The population of the municipality is 552,156 inhabitants, of whom 428,323 or approximately 77.6% live in municipality's portion of the city proper.[19] The municipality is bordered by the municipalities of La Antigua, Boca del Río, Manlio Fabio Altamirano, Medellín, and Paso de Ovejas, with the Gulf of Mexico to the northeast, and has an average altitude of ten meters above sea level. The area is flat with little in the way of elevations and is crossed by the Medio, Grande and Tonayán Rivers. There are also beaches here such as the Sacrificios and Verde. Its climate is tropical with an average temperature of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F). Vegetation is mostly of the rainforest type, with many trees losing leaves during the winter dry season. Fauna mostly consists of birds, small mammals and insects.[4]

 
View of Isla de Sacrificios.

Much of the land in the municipality outside of the city is used for agriculture and livestock. Principal crops include corn, beans, watermelon, oranges, sorghum, mango, pineapple and sugar cane. Livestock raised includes cattle, pigs, sheep, fowl and horses. There is also some forestry. The municipality contains deposits of marble, lime, cement, sand and clay. In and around the city there are a number of industrial sites producing paints and solvents, food products, plastics, petrochemicals and metals.[4]

Veracruz has many beaches and off coast islands. Controversy has accompanied the clean-up of the island called Isla de Sacrificios, which lies just off the coast of the city and measures 450 meters long and 198 meters wide. The island is part of a system of twenty-three coral reefs called the Veracruz Reef System, which is protected as a national park.[20] Visitors can kayak to the Isla de Sacrificios to observe seagulls, pelicans and the fish that inhabit the coral reef.[21] In 1983, a study and initial cleanup project was undertaken at the island, which collected fifty tons of trash. Shortly thereafter, the island was closed to the public and since then, there has been a struggle among authorities, tour operators and fisherman as to the fate and uses of the island. However, access to the island has been restricted to research, teaching and the occasional sporting event.[20]

 
Plaza de la Concordia.

Other small islands and shoals off the coast include: Isla de Enmedio, Isla Verde, Anegada de Adentro, Santiaguillo and Anegada de Afuera, the last two next to Antón Lizardo beach. All of them are included within the Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano national park and make fine sites for SCUBA diving. Several operators in Veracruz and in Boca del Rio offer scuba equipment and tours. The best season for scuba diving is May to August.

The mainland has several beaches. Playa Martí is located between the city of Veracruz and Boca del Río. The Playa de Hornos is located next to the Veracruz Aquarium. There are also boats that take tourist to the Isla Canuncito. Villa del Mar is just south of Playa de Hornos.[21]

Climate edit

 
Isla de Enmedio in the Veracruz Reef System National Park.

Like the majority of the coastal part of the state of Veracruz and southern parts of Tamaulipas, the city of Veracruz has a tropical savanna climate (Koppen: Aw).[22] The wet season typically lasts from June to October, when a vast majority of the yearly precipitation falls. Large tropical thunderstorms occur nearly daily in the late afternoon, originating in the moist atmosphere above the Gulf of Mexico.[23][24] The wet season has slightly hotter temperatures and is more humid than other seasons; the dewpoint can easily exceed 25 °C (77.0 °F).[23][24] It has fewer foggy days than the dry season (averaging around 4-7 foggy days).[23][24]

The dry season of the year spans from November to May, with slightly cooler temperatures and less humid days; making it the much more desirable part of the year for visiting tourists as opposed to the stormy, humid wet season. Despite the dryness, winters are foggy and cloudy, averaging 10-17 overcast days and 11-17 foggy days per month during the dry season.[23][24] Many tourists visit Veracruz during Christmas and March break, in the midst of the winter's comfortably warm dry season.

Veracruz receives an average of 1,564 mm (61.6 in) of precipitation annually.[23] The wettest month of the year is July with an average monthly total of 385 mm (15.2 in) of rainfall, while the driest month of the year is March with an only 13 mm (0.51 in) of rainfall.[23] Temperature-wise, the hottest months of the year are June and August, both sharing mean temperatures of 28 °C (82.4 °F), while the coolest month of the year is January with a mean temperature of 21.2 °C (70.2 °F).[25]

Climate data for Veracruz (Synoptic Observatory), elevation: 19.4 m, 1981-2000 averages, extremes 1951-2000[a]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 34.7
(94.5)
33.2
(91.8)
39.2
(102.6)
39.5
(103.1)
39.5
(103.1)
36.7
(98.1)
37.0
(98.6)
36.0
(96.8)
35.4
(95.7)
35.0
(95.0)
34.0
(93.2)
36.0
(96.8)
39.5
(103.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 24.7
(76.5)
25.0
(77.0)
27.4
(81.3)
29.2
(84.6)
31.1
(88.0)
31.4
(88.5)
31.2
(88.2)
31.2
(88.2)
30.8
(87.4)
29.7
(85.5)
27.7
(81.9)
25.9
(78.6)
28.8
(83.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21.5
(70.7)
21.9
(71.4)
24.0
(75.2)
25.8
(78.4)
27.8
(82.0)
28.1
(82.6)
27.5
(81.5)
27.6
(81.7)
27.2
(81.0)
26.2
(79.2)
24.2
(75.6)
22.6
(72.7)
25.4
(77.7)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 18.4
(65.1)
18.8
(65.8)
20.7
(69.3)
22.5
(72.5)
24.6
(76.3)
24.8
(76.6)
23.8
(74.8)
23.9
(75.0)
23.6
(74.5)
22.7
(72.9)
20.7
(69.3)
19.3
(66.7)
22.0
(71.6)
Record low °C (°F) 5.8
(42.4)
7.2
(45.0)
2.0
(35.6)
9.0
(48.2)
14.5
(58.1)
17.0
(62.6)
19.8
(67.6)
13.2
(55.8)
17.0
(62.6)
12.0
(53.6)
2.0
(35.6)
0.2
(32.4)
0.2
(32.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 37.9
(1.49)
17.8
(0.70)
13.1
(0.52)
24.4
(0.96)
74.2
(2.92)
196.3
(7.73)
385.1
(15.16)
320.5
(12.62)
292.6
(11.52)
130.7
(5.15)
32.0
(1.26)
39.6
(1.56)
1,564
(61.57)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 5.3 3.1 3.8 3.8 5.0 12.8 18.5 16.4 15.4 10.6 6.2 5.7 106.7
Average relative humidity (%) 81.0 79.0 74.0 77.0 72.0 73.0 79.0 80.0 79.0 77.0 79.0 81.0 77.6
Mean monthly sunshine hours 162.0 165.0 192.0 205.0 203.0 207.0 187.0 177.0 162.0 170.0 179.0 161.0 2,170
Source: SMN[23]
Climate data for Veracruz (Synoptic Observatory), elevation: 19.4 m, 1961-1990 normals
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 24.3
(75.7)
24.6
(76.3)
26.5
(79.7)
28.7
(83.7)
30.4
(86.7)
30.8
(87.4)
30.9
(87.6)
31.2
(88.2)
30.8
(87.4)
29.6
(85.3)
27.6
(81.7)
25.5
(77.9)
28.4
(83.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21.2
(70.2)
21.6
(70.9)
23.4
(74.1)
25.6
(78.1)
27.4
(81.3)
28.0
(82.4)
27.6
(81.7)
28.0
(82.4)
27.6
(81.7)
26.5
(79.7)
24.5
(76.1)
22.5
(72.5)
25.3
(77.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 18.1
(64.6)
18.5
(65.3)
20.6
(69.1)
22.8
(73.0)
24.6
(76.3)
24.5
(76.1)
23.6
(74.5)
23.9
(75.0)
23.6
(74.5)
22.7
(72.9)
20.9
(69.6)
19.3
(66.7)
21.9
(71.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 22.0
(0.87)
17.0
(0.67)
17.0
(0.67)
22.0
(0.87)
46.0
(1.81)
302.0
(11.89)
411.0
(16.18)
352.0
(13.86)
352.0
(13.86)
131.0
(5.16)
54.0
(2.13)
27.0
(1.06)
1,753
(69.03)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 5.0 14.0 21.0 19.0 18.0 12.0 8.0 6.0 119
Average relative humidity (%) 75.5 76.0 74.0 75.0 75.5 78.0 77.0 77.0 74.5 73.0 73.5 76.0 75.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 146.3 157.9 188.9 205.9 205.4 208.0 205.1 222.5 188.7 193.5 178.7 145.8 2,246.7
Source: NOAA[25]
Climate data for Veracruz (Synoptic Observatory), elevation: 19.4 m, 1951-1980 normals and extremes
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 32.7
(90.9)
33.2
(91.8)
37.7
(99.9)
39.5
(103.1)
36.8
(98.2)
36.3
(97.3)
36.0
(96.8)
35.3
(95.5)
35.0
(95.0)
34.4
(93.9)
32.6
(90.7)
36.0
(96.8)
39.5
(103.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 24.6
(76.3)
24.9
(76.8)
26.5
(79.7)
28.6
(83.5)
30.2
(86.4)
30.7
(87.3)
30.7
(87.3)
31.2
(88.2)
30.7
(87.3)
29.6
(85.3)
27.4
(81.3)
25.4
(77.7)
28.4
(83.1)
Daily mean °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5)
21.8
(71.2)
23.5
(74.3)
25.7
(78.3)
27.4
(81.3)
27.9
(82.2)
27.6
(81.7)
28.0
(82.4)
27.6
(81.7)
26.4
(79.5)
24.2
(75.6)
22.2
(72.0)
25.3
(77.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21.4
(70.5)
21.8
(71.2)
23.5
(74.3)
25.7
(78.3)
27.4
(81.3)
27.9
(82.2)
27.6
(81.7)
28.0
(82.4)
27.6
(81.7)
26.4
(79.5)
24.2
(75.6)
22.2
(72.0)
25.3
(77.6)
Record low °C (°F) 10.5
(50.9)
8.7
(47.7)
12.7
(54.9)
15.8
(60.4)
17.7
(63.9)
17.0
(62.6)
20.4
(68.7)
20.5
(68.9)
17.0
(62.6)
16.8
(62.2)
13.1
(55.6)
9.0
(48.2)
8.7
(47.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 24.1
(0.95)
16.0
(0.63)
14.5
(0.57)
17.4
(0.69)
48.2
(1.90)
298.3
(11.74)
419.9
(16.53)
323.1
(12.72)
358.6
(14.12)
152.9
(6.02)
59.6
(2.35)
24.4
(0.96)
1,757
(69.18)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 4.83 3.51 3.17 3.31 4.93 14.82 20.63 18.6 17.7 11.36 7.4 5.8 116.06
Average relative humidity (%) 80.0 80.0 81.0 80.0 78.0 79.0 79.0 78.0 78.0 74.0 77.0 80.0 79.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 147.3 166.2 175.7 182.1 194.7 203.2 200.0 227.0 174.5 193.0 165.5 140.7 2,169.9
Source: COLPOS[24]

Culture edit

 
Ships at the 2022 Latin American Festival of Sailing.

Because of its importance as Mexico's principal Caribbean and Atlantic sea port, Veracruz has always been a locus for the mixture of different cultures, particularly Spanish, Native Mexican, and African. During the colonial period, African slaves were imported to work in the fields and shipyards. Following Mexico's independence from Spain in 1821, immigrants from Italy and Cuba settled in the city.[5][8][9]

The Veracruz Carnaval has been celebrated every year since 1866, during the empire of Maximilian I. At that time, a request was made to sponsor a "Festival of Masks", which would consist of dances at the principal social gathering sites of the city such as the main theater. While the events were officially held at these locations, many residents took advantage of the celebration on the streets near these sites. Eventually, the event became based in the historic center of the city and focused on the Carnaval Parade of Veracruz. Today, the event begins with the "Burning of Bad Humor" and ends with the "Burial of Juan Carnaval".[27] Carnaval here is the largest celebration in the country.[8]

 
The Carnaval of Veracruz parade.

Sugar and rum production have been mainstays as commodities; during colonial times they were produced by slave labor and later, immigrants often entered labor and industrial jobs. Together these ethnic groups have created rich cultures.[10][28] The Naval Academy attracts both Mexican and international sailors and officers, adding to the cosmopolitan mix of the city.[28] The city has a reputation for being lively, with many people out in the squares listening to music late into the night. In the morning, they frequent sidewalk cafes for their morning coffee.[29] Veracruz has become a popular location for filming. The government has supported the development of filmmaking in the municipality.

Music edit

 
Son Jarocho players in a plaza in Veracruz's historic center.

The song "La Bamba", made famous by Ritchie Valens, has its roots in the Veracruz "son" style of music, which originated in southern part of the state of Veracruz. It has African and Caribbean influence and is popular throughout Mexico, Latin America and the United States.

Traditional Veracruzian music is called "Son Jarocho". Although there are many types of son music found in Mexico, the Son Jarocho is typically associated with the city of Veracruz. Other types of son include "Son Comercial". This style is faster and flashier than the traditional Son Jarocho and can be heard in Mexican folkdance exhibitions, when Veracruz women with long white dresses and fans dance with partners also dressed in white. The Son Comercial developed in the 1940s from the Son Jarocho; in the 21st century it is so pervasive that many mistakenly believe it to be the first version. The Casa de Cultura has a workshops for traditional music and son singers can be heard just about anytime on the main plaza (Zócalo)[30]

Cuisine edit

 
"El Gran Café de la Parroquia" is the most famous cafe in Veracruz.

Veracruz recipes use corn, beans and squash as staples, a practice dating to the indigenous peoples. Local diets also include indigenous tropical foods such as chili peppers, tomatoes, avocados, pineapples, papaya, mamey, sweet potatoes, peanuts and sapote fruit, all of which have been cultivated since pre-Columbian times. The Spanish introduced the use of herbs such as parsley, thyme, marjoram, bay laurel and coriander, as well as saffron, wheat, rice, almonds, olives/olive oil, garlic and capers.[9] Because of the lengthy colonial period and international port, these ingredients are used more widely here than in other parts of the country.[10]

A signature dish of the area, Huachinango a la Veracruzana (red snapper Veracruz-style), uses local fruits and vegetables (tomatoes, chili peppers) and Spanish ingredients (olive oil, garlic and capers). Other popular dishes include arroz a la tumbada, a rice dish baked with a variety of seafood and caldo de mariscos, a seafood soup reputed to cure hangovers.[9]

Coffeehouses are a center of social life in the city, and the Gran Café del Portal and the Café de la Parroquia are the two best-known establishments. To request a refill, customers clink the sides of their glasses (not cups) with their spoons. This clinking can be heard from the early morning to late at night. The story behind this custom is that a trolley driver used to ring his bell when he was a block away from the Gran Café del Portal to let the waiters know he was coming. When the driver died, his casket was borne on the trolley and when it passed the establishment, the customers and waiters tapped their glasses in his honor.[5]

Landmarks edit

 
The Castle of San Juan de Ulúa, built by the Spanish beginning in 1519.

Veracruz is not as popular a tourist destination as many other resort areas.[5] But the city has been promoting an identity as a tourist destination, emphasizing new attractions such as the Veracruz Aquarium and the City Museum, and the renovation of historic ones, such as Fort San Juan de Ulúa and the Naval Academy.[8]

The cultural center of the city is its main plaza, officially named Plaza de las Armas but commonly called the Zócalo. This tree-shaded square, in which a number of foreign invading armies have camped, is occupied from morning to night with people playing dominos, selling food, cigars, etc. playing music, dancing and other activities. It is more crowded in the evening, when nearly every night the danzón is danced. This dance was brought over to Mexico from Cuba by refugees in the 1870s. It was originally restricted to the lower classes but eventually gained accepted by all levels of society. The danzón is sponsored by several dance schools dedicated to keeping the tradition alive. Around the plaza are numerous shops and restaurants, as well as the municipal palace and the cathedral.[5][31]

 
Venustiano Carranza Lighthouse.

The Municipal Palace was built for the city council in 1608. The building was extensively remodeled in the 18th century. Its architectural style is a sober Baroque with a tower at one of the corners. Lookouts used this tower to keep watch on the ships entering and leaving the port. It has a large courtyard surrounded by wide arches and is the oldest city government building in Mexico.[31]

The Cathedral of Veracruz, named Catedral de la Virgen de la Asunción, is also located on the Zócalo. This cathedral was begun in the 17th century and finished in 1731. It was modified in the 19th century but was not designated as a cathedral until 1963. The building has five naves, with an octagonal cupola covered in Puebla tiles. The tower was begun in the early 20th century and has its own small cupola. The main façade is Neoclassic with two levels and a crest. The lower level contains an arched entrance flanked by two Doric columns and the upper level contains the choral window, above which is a medallion. The interior is simple with crystal candelabras.[32]

 
Veracruz Cathedral, built 1731.

In the port area are the Pemex Tower, the old lighthouse, which was the seat of government for Venustiano Carranza, and the Crafts Market. On Marina Mercante Street are located the Old Customs Building, the Postal and Telegraph twin buildings, as well as the old railroad terminal. In the 1920s, passenger traffic was such that the station had its own hotel. The Juárez Hemicycle Monument stands in front of the Civil Registry Building, which contains the first birth certificate issued in the country.[33]

The malecón (boardwalk) stretches for kilometers along the Gulf of Mexico, leading from the city center into the suburbs. This area is popular at night, when people stroll and exercise, enjoying the ocean breezes. Near the city center, the malecón is crowded with merchants selling knick-knacks, souvenirs, jewelry made with seashells, and T-shirts.[5]

 
The historic Clavijero Theatre.

Fort San Juan de Ulúa is located on an island, now connected to land of the same name. The island is part of the La Gallega coral reef and has about 2,500 meters of beach. The full reef covers about 100 hectares and varies in depth between sixty and ninety centimeters, forming a natural break.[13] In the pre-Hispanic era, this island was a sanctuary dedicated to the god Tezcatlipoca.[31] The site where the Spanish first landed has been developed over the centuries and today serves as the container ship terminal of the port.[13] Most of the island is occupied by the fort. This fort was built where the Spanish first landed to conquer Mexico City. They used it for their last defense during and just after the Mexican War of Independence.[31] Between these periods, the fort helped defend the city against piracy and later was used for prisoners and interrogations of the Mexican Inquisition.[5] The fort was begun here in 1582 to protect the city from pirates[31] and was enlarged in 1635 during the period of frequent pirate raids. It was finished in 1707.[5]

 
The Municipal Palace of Veracruz.

After the War of Independence ended in 1821, the Spanish kept control of the island and fort, and occasionally bombarded Mexican forces on land. They finally transferred this area to Mexico in 1825. The fort was used in 1838 during the Pastry War with the French. In 1847, it was used for an unsuccessful defense of the port when United States forces invaded during the Mexican–American War.[31]

In the 19th century, the fort was converted into a military prison.[31] The fort's narrow stone passageways lead to a series of dungeons with walls 24-feet thick in some places. Those cells which were darker and hotter were reserved for those charged with more serious crimes. A few of the most dreaded dungeons were nicknamed "Heaven", "Purgatory" and "Hell". Some of prison's more famous prisoners include Fray Servando Teresa de Mier and Benito Juárez, both political prisoners. But the most famous is Jesús Arriaga, better known as "Chucho el Roto".[5] Most people visit San Juan de Ulúa out of attraction to the legend of this 19th-century bandit.[34]

 
The Palacio Federal de Veracruz.

Jesús Arriaga, better known as Chucho el Roto, was held at Fort San Juan de Ulúa where he died. It is not known whether he died of natural causes, as a result of a fight with other prisoners or by other means. Chucho was a Robin Hood figure who lived during the 19th century.[35] He stole from the rich and gave to the poor, inspiring songs and poetry such as the verses penned by Rafael de Zayas Enríquez. Chucho was arrested in the city of Querétaro after a jewelry store heist. He was sent to the Belén Prison in Mexico City, then to Veracruz. He was also renowned as a seducer of women, especially those who were rich and lonely. Most of his targets were jewelry shops, pawnshops and the homes of the wealthy.[35]

Along with Fort San Juan de Ulúa, the city used to be walled in for protection against pirates and invasions. All that is left of these city walls is the Baluarte, a small fortress. The 1635 structure has thick, sturdy walls with cannons directed to cover sea approaches. Inside is a small museum featuring a collection of high-quality pre-Hispanic jewelry discovered in the 1970s by a fisherman.[36]

 
Veracruz Aquarium

The Veracruz Aquarium was built in 1992 and is the largest and most important in Latin America.[5][33][37] The Freshwater Gallery consists of thirteen exhibitions containing 562,177 liters of water. These exhibitions contain aquatic species from Asia, Africa, South America as well as Mexico. The Reef Tank is best known for its sharks. The Salt Water Gallery contains fourteen tanks with tanks dedicated to the species of Veracruz, the Red Sea and the Pacific Ocean. Another exhibit is devoted to sharks, containing 25 species that swim around visitors as they walk through a glass tunnel built through the tank. There is also an exhibit dedicated entirely to manatees.[37]

 
Las Atarazanas Cultural Center.

The Heroica Escuela Naval (Heroic Naval School) was founded here in 1897 by José María de Vega, then Secretary of the Navy.[4] The school was founded because at the time, Mexico was dependent on the hiring of foreign sailors and foreign training of its officers to staff its Navy; prior attempts to establish an academy had failed. Porfirio Díaz approved the institute to train both Navy and Merchant Marine officers, to be based on similar schools in Western Europe.[38]

The City Museum (Museo de la Ciudad) is located at the intersections of Zaragoza and Esteban Morales streets in the historic center. It is housed in a two-story building which is of neoclassic design built between the mid and latter 19th century. The main façade on Zaragoza Street has an enormous main door with posts, framed by Ionic pilasters, which reach to the upper floor, and topped by a pediment and a cornice. The building was originally constructed as an asylum. When the French invaded Veracruz in 1861, the building was commandeered for other purposes until 1870.

 
The Baluarte de Santiago.

The asylum took it back and operated here for almost 100 years. New facilities were constructed for it south of the city, and the building was renovated for adaptive reuse as a museum. The City Museum was inaugurated in 1970 and contains exhibits relating to the history of Veracruz.[39]

The Agustín Lara House Museum exhibits works, photographs and personal effects of the poet Agustín Lara, located in what was his house in Boca del Río just outside Veracruz.[31] News clips, caricatures and a replica of the radio studio where he hosted "La Hora Azul" ("The Blue Hour") are among the items on display. Lara was one of the city's most famous sons as a popular songwriter and singer in Mexico. He began his career playing the piano in brothels and later became a bullfighter. Lara had seven wives, one of whom was Mexican screen diva María "La Doña" Félix, for whom he wrote the song "María Bonita". To be a gentleman, when he and Félix were about to break up, he married her to "make an honest woman of her" even though they had lived together for years.[5]

Economy edit

 
The port of Veracruz is the largest and most important in Mexico.

Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant (LVNPP) in nearby Alto Lucero, Veracruz, produces about 4.5% of Mexico's electrical energy.

Port of Veracruz edit

The Port of Veracruz is the oldest and largest port in Mexico, deeply important to its history.[4][5][6] During the colonial period, it was the most important port in New Spain, the connection to ports and the Atlantic trade creating a large wealthy merchant class, which was more prosperous than that of Mexico City.[7] From the port of Veracruz were exported turkeys, corn, beans, avocados, and cotton to Spain. From Spain came fava beans, wheat, rice, cattle, pigs, fabric, wine and other goods. In the mid 16th century, so much gold and silver was found in Veracruz that these precious metals were the chief export to Spain on what were called treasure ships commonly known as Spanish treasure fleet. The bounty attracted pirates, mostly from Britain and Holland, such as Francis Drake and John Hawkins, who preyed on such ships.[7] Veracruz was invaded during conflicts with France and the United States.[4]

 
Hotel in Veracruz's historic center.

In the latter half of the 19th century, Veracruz's importance waned as trade to Europe diminished. The port was refurbished at the beginning of the 20th century, but petroleum production was the primary income for the state rather than the port.[13] This began to change in the latter half of the 20th century, and the port has surged back to the state's economic forefront.[8]

In 1991, the federal government took over the port of Veracruz to correct[how?] the handling of merchandise. Later that same year, the first private shipping companies began operations. In 1993, the Law of Ports was passed regularizing the operations of ports in the country. This law created the Administración Portuaria de Veracruz (Port Authority of Veracruz).[40]

 
Historic post office of Veracruz.

In the 2000s, the port continues to handle all kinds of cargo, moving 16.1 million tons[verification needed] of products in 2004. This figure is expected to rise once modernization efforts have finished, especially a truck bypass that leads directly from the highway to the port.[6] Veracruz is the gateway for Mexico's automobile industry, which is concentrated in the center of the country, in the states around Mexico City. This port has several advantages. It is the first to be equipped specifically for shipping automobiles. Located on the south-central coast, Veracruz is closer to car manufacturers and has better access to both import and export markets in the U.S., Europe, Central and South America than other Mexican ports. In 2004, the port handled 70% of the automobiles exported. With traffic expected to rise, the port authorities unveiled a program to enlarge the port's infrastructure and expand operations by 2010.[6] However conversion of port area for tourism challenges operations.[41] The port handles 7,000,000 to 800,000 vehicles per year; the largest volume on the continent.[42]

Education edit

 
Universidad Veracruzana.

The Universidad Veracruzana was established in 1944. It was created by joining a number of professional and higher education establishments together. It is now the main center of higher education in the state of Veracruz, with five campuses and twenty-two satellite locations in the state. The student population is approximately 70,000, offering degrees in sixty different fields.[43]

Private universities include Cristóbal Colón University, mainly dedicated to architecture and administration [1]. UNIMEX was founded in 1991 and focuses on marketing, graphic design and law.[44]

 
Ilustre Instituto Veracruzano.

The Veracruz Institute of Technology was founded in 1946 by Ismael Lagunes Lastra. It started out as the School of Arts and Letters, with a mission to train students for the jobs associated with the developing port and industrial base of the city. It started teaching students at the secondary and high school level, later adding bachelor's degree programs. In 1952, the school received a grant of lands by the federal and state governments to expand. Technical programs were added in the 1960s and have become the main part of the school's work, Veracruz Institute of Technology is famous due to its bachelor of engineering in biochemical engineering, masters and PhD about food science and biochemical engineering.[45]

The Ilustre Instituto Veracruzano (Illustrious Veracruzan Institute) was founded in 1853.

Transportation edit

 
Veracruz Train Depot.

General Heriberto Jara International Airport serves the city with daily service to Mexico City as well as international service to Houston only. The commercial passenger airlines to currently serve VER airport are Aeromexico, United Airlines, Aeromar Viva Aerobus and Mayair. In 2021, the airport handled 1,103,460 passengers.[46]

 
Veracruz International Airport.

Non-passenger rail transport (Kansas City Southern de México) connects Veracruz with Mexico City and state capital of Xalapa.

Veracruz is linked to Mexico City by a four-lane toll highway which also passes through Córdoba and Puebla. Halfway between Veracruz and Córdoba, it is connected to the La Tinaja-Cosoleacaque toll highway which goes as far as Villahermosa, Tabasco. Another toll highway goes to Xalapa.

Urban transport formerly was provided by the Veracruz tram system, from 1908 – 1981. Now the city has buses, including trolley-replica tour buses that looks like former trams and highlighted at evening.

Sister cities edit

Veracruz is twinned with:[47][48]

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Although the values have a record of more than two decades, it can not be used as an overview of the local climate, as it does not reach the minimum period of 30 years required by WMO.[26]

References edit

  1. ^ Stacy, Lee (2002). Mexico and the United States. Marshall Cavendish. p. 845. ISBN 9780761474029.
  2. ^ "TelluBase—Mexico Fact Sheet (Tellusant Public Service Series)" (PDF). Tellusant. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
  3. ^ a b 2020 census tables: INEGI "Censo Veracruz 2020" (PDF). 2 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México Veracruz Ignacio de la Llave" (in Spanish). Mexico: INAFED. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Alisau Graber, Patricia. "Un poco de gracia". MexConnect. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e Rueda, Marisol (August 2005). "Overdrive: Mexico's Port of Veracruz expands to move more goods—cars above all else". Latin Trade. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  7. ^ a b c d [Veracruz in history] (in Spanish). Veracruz: H Ayuntamiento de Veracruz. Archived from the original on 19 June 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Vacaciones en Veracruz Puerto". Best Day México: Información para sus Viajes. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  9. ^ a b c d Hursh Graber, Karen. "The Cuisine of Veracruz: A Tasty Blend of Cultures". MexConnect. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  10. ^ a b c "Red Snapper Veracruzana". Epicurious. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  11. ^ "Eagle Relief, Toltec". Metropolitan Museum of Art website.
  12. ^ a b c d . The History Channel. Archived from the original on 8 February 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Sanchez Diez, Jaime R (18 October 2000). "Estudio sobre reestructuración portuaria - Impacto Social Sinopsis Histurica del Puerto de Veracruz" [Study about the port's restructuring- Social Impact Historic Sinopsis of the Port of Veracruz] (in Spanish). Mexico: Puerto de Veracruz Organización Internacional. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  14. ^ [History of Fort San Juan de Ulúa] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 January 2010. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  15. ^ Williamson, Edwin (1992). The Penguin history of Latin America. London: Allen Lane. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-7139-9076-8.
  16. ^ Diaz, B., 1963, The Conquest of New Spain, London: Penguin Books, ISBN 0140441239
  17. ^ Merriam-Webster's geographical dictionary. (1972). Third Edition. Springfield, MA.: Merriam- Webster Inc, Publishers. p. 1257. ISBN 0-87779-546-0
  18. ^ Alberto Nájar (20 September 2010). "Sigue la devastación por el huracán Karl" [Devastation from Hurricane Karl continues]. BBC Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 September 2010.
  19. ^ 2010 census tables: INEGI 2 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  20. ^ a b Cortanos Delgado, Gabriela (31 October 2005). "La isla in disputa" [The island in dispute]. La Jornada Ecológica (in Spanish). Mexico City: UNAM. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  21. ^ a b [Veracruz Citizen Portal] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 April 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  22. ^ Kottek, M.; J. Grieser; C. Beck; B. Rudolf; F. Rubel (2006). "World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated" (PDF). Meteorol. Z. 15 (3): 259–263. Bibcode:2006MetZe..15..259K. doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  23. ^ a b c d e f g (PDF) (in Spanish). Conagua. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  24. ^ a b c d e "Normales climatológicas para Veracruz, Veracruz (1951-1980)" (in Spanish). COLPOS. Archived from the original on 21 February 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Veracruz (76692) - WMO Weather Station". NOAA. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  26. ^ The Definition of the Standard WMO Climate Normal: The Key to Deriving Alternative Climate Normals, American Meteorological Society (June 2011). Retrieved 8 February 2019.
  27. ^ "Carnaval de Veracruz Tradición". Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  28. ^ a b Hughson Graber, Dean and Yoly. "Veracruz For Gringos". MexConnect. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  29. ^ "Veracruz City". Fodor's. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  30. ^ Carraher, Janice. "La Bamba Explained - Or, The Music of Veracruz". MexConnect. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h [Historic Center of the City and the Port of Veracruz] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  32. ^ "Consagrada Catedral de Veracruz" [Consecrated Cathedral of Veracruz] (in Spanish). ARQHYS. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  33. ^ a b [Weekend in the port of Veracruz] (in Spanish). Mexico Desconocido. Archived from the original on 16 April 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  34. ^ Todd, John Jr. "Chucho el Roto: The Legend of a Mexican Bandit The Folk Hero of San Juan de Ulua". Universidad Veracruzana. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  35. ^ a b Castillo, Marko. . Universidad Veracruzana. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  36. ^ "Baluarte de Santiago". Fodor's. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  37. ^ a b [Veracruz Aquarium] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 5 August 2009. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  38. ^ [Foundation of the Naval Academy] (in Spanish). Secretariat of the Navy (Mexico). Archived from the original on 1 September 2009. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  39. ^ [Description and History of the building of the City Museum "Coronel Manuel Gutierrez Zamora"] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 17 April 2008. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  40. ^ "spain travel guide" (in Turkish). Turkey: Gezily.
  41. ^ Ludwig, Christopher (19 July 2016). "Volkswagen & Audi in Mexico part 3: Building in an extra level of efficiency". Automotive Logistics. Retrieved 13 May 2017. Volkswagen is set to lose a dedicated, covered parking garage for 4,000 vehicles that it has used for 30 years, which the port authority plans to redevelop for tourism.
  42. ^ Williams, Marcus (5 July 2017). . Automotive Logistics. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 3 August 2017. Veracruz, which was the continent's largest vehicle-handling port for the sixth time in seven years.
  43. ^ [Introduction Veracruzana University] (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 25 September 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2009.
  44. ^ "UNIMEX® Universidad sin fronteras". www.unimexver.edu.mx.
  45. ^ "Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz-Historia" [Veracruz Institute of Technology-History] (in Spanish). Veracruz: Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz. Retrieved 30 October 2009.
  46. ^ "Passenger's Traffic" (in Spanish). ASUR. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  47. ^ "Acuerdos interinstitucionales registrados por dependencias y municipios de Veracruz" (in Spanish). Secretaría de relaciones exteriores. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  48. ^ "Tren que llevaría pasajeros de Veracruz a México quedó en simple noticia" (in Spanish). El Dictamen. 12 January 2018. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  49. ^ "Sister Cities". City of Galveston. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  50. ^ "Sister Cities". City of Laredo. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  51. ^ "Sister Cities". Miami-Dade County. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  52. ^ "Mobile's Sister Cities". City of Mobile. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  53. ^ "Silicon Alleys: San Jose, Okayama Celebrate Six Decades as Sister Cities". Metro Active. 12 June 2019. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  54. ^ "Sister Cities". City of Tampa. 23 February 2016. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  55. ^ "Ciudades Hermanas" (in Spanish). Región de Valparaíso. Retrieved 29 September 2021.

External links edit

  • Museum of Veracruz—(in Spanish)

19°11′25″N 96°09′12″W / 19.19028°N 96.15333°W / 19.19028; -96.15333

veracruz, city, veracruz, spanish, pronunciation, beɾaˈkɾus, also, known, heroica, veracruz, major, port, city, municipal, seat, surrounding, municipality, veracruz, gulf, mexico, most, populous, city, mexican, state, veracruz, city, located, along, coast, cen. Veracruz Spanish pronunciation beɾaˈkɾus also known as Heroica Veracruz is a major port city and municipal seat for the surrounding municipality of Veracruz on the Gulf of Mexico and the most populous city in the Mexican state of Veracruz The city is located along the coast in the central part of the state 4 90 km 56 mi southeast of the state capital Xalapa VeracruzCity and municipalityHeroica VeracruzTop Clavijero Theatre left and City Hall right middle top aerial view of Veracruz middle bottom Portal de Miranda left Venustiano Carranza Lighthouse center and Veracruz Cathedral right bottom Castle of San Juan de Ulua left and Portales de Lerdo right Coat of armsVeracruzShow map of VeracruzVeracruzShow map of MexicoCoordinates 19 11 25 N 96 09 12 W 19 19028 N 96 15333 W 19 19028 96 15333Country MexicoStateVeracruzMunicipalityVeracruzEstablished22 April 1519 1 505 years ago Founded asVilla Rica de la Vera CruzFounded byHernan CortesGovernment Municipal PresidentPatricia Lobeira Rodriguez PAN Area Metro1 641 6 km2 633 8 sq mi Elevation10 m 30 ft Population 2020 City and municipality607 209 Metro939 046 metro GDP PPP constant 2015 values Year2023 Total 19 1 billion 2 Per capita 20 000Time zoneUTC 6 CST Summer DST UTC 5 CDT Websiteveracruzmunicipio gob mxHistorical populationYearPop 1995425 140 2000457 377 7 6 2005512 310 12 0 2010552 156 7 8 2015609 964 10 5 2020607 209 0 5 3 It is the state s most populous city with a population that is greater than the municipality s population as part of the city of Veracruz extends into the neighboring municipality of Boca del Rio At the 2020 census Veracruz Municipality had a population of 607 209 inhabitants The city of Veracruz had a population of 537 952 inhabitants 405 952 in Veracruz municipality and 132 011 in Boca del Rio municipality 3 Developed during Spanish colonization Veracruz is Mexico s oldest largest and historically most significant port 4 5 6 When the Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes arrived in Mexico on 22 April 1519 he founded a city here which he named Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz referring to the area s gold and dedicated to the True Cross because he landed on the Christian holy day of Good Friday the day of the Crucifixion It was the first Spanish settlement on the mainland of the Americas to receive a coat of arms 4 During the colonial period this city had the largest mercantile class and was at times wealthier than the capital Mexico City 7 Its wealth attracted the raids of 17th century pirates against which fortifications such as Fort San Juan de Ulua were built In the 19th and early 20th centuries Veracruz was invaded on different occasions by France and the United States in the aftermath of the 1914 Tampico Affair US troops occupied the city for seven months 4 For much of the 20th century the production of petroleum was most important for the state s economy 8 but in the latter 20th century and into the 21st the port has re emerged as the main economic engine It has become the principal port for most of Mexico s imports and exports especially for the automotive industry 6 Veracruz has a blend of cultures mostly indigenous Spanish and Afro Caribbean The influence of these three is best seen in the food and music of the area which has strong Spanish Caribbean and African influences 5 9 10 Contents 1 Etymology 2 History 2 1 Spanish era 2 2 19th century 2 3 20th century 2 4 21st century 3 Geography 3 1 Climate 4 Culture 4 1 Music 4 2 Cuisine 4 3 Landmarks 5 Economy 5 1 Port of Veracruz 6 Education 7 Transportation 8 Sister cities 9 See also 10 Notes 11 References 12 External linksEtymology editThe name Veracruz originally Vera Cruz derives from the Latin Vera Crux True Cross Having established the settlement of Villa Rica Rich Village on Good Friday 22 April 1519 Cortes dedicated the place to the True Cross as an offering History editSpanish era edit nbsp Toltec carving representing the Aztec Eagle found in Veracruz 10th 13th century Metropolitan Museum of Art 11 nbsp Depiction of Veracruz and the Castle of San Juan de Ulua in 1615 The Spanish captain Juan de Grijalva along with Bernal Diaz del Castillo first arrived in 1518 at the island later known as San Juan de Ulua 12 The Spanish gave it that name because they landed on the Christian feast of John the Baptist 24 June and in honor of the captain 13 De Ulua is derived from the local name for the Aztecs coluha or acolhua The word for Aztec evolved into Ulua 13 14 While Veracruz itself was founded by Hernan Cortes who arrived in 1519 the area at the time was within the jurisdiction of Moctezuma II and his Aztec Empire 15 Cortes and his men landed at the shore opposite the island where Grijalva had moored which has the pre Hispanic name of Chalchihuecan 4 Cortes Francisco de Montejo and Alonso Hernandez Puertocarrero founded the settlement naming it Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz 16 102 The name Villa Rica rich village referred to the gold that was found here and Vera Cruz True Cross was added because the Cortes expedition landed on Good Friday a Christian holy day 4 When Cortes and his soldiers abolished the Aztec despotism and elected a Justicia Mayor and a Capitan General they created the first city council on the American continent 13 The city was the first on mainland America to receive a European coat of arms which was authorized by Carlos V in Valladolid Spain on 4 July 1523 4 nbsp The Zocalo of Veracruz in 1836 The original settlement was moved to what is now known as Antigua at the mouth of the Huitzilapan or Antigua River shortly thereafter 4 This separated the city from the port as ships could not enter the shallow river Ships continued to dock at San Juan de Ulua with small boats being used to ferry goods on and off the ships When large scale smuggling of goods took place to avoid customs officials 13 the Spanish Crown ordered the settlement returned to its original site to cut down on that traffic 4 Docks and an observation tower were constructed on the island to ensure that goods went through customs officials 13 As in other parts of Mexico the indigenous peoples suffered from epidemics of European infectious diseases which decimated the population after contact The Spanish began to import African slaves via the port of Veracruz to work on sugarcane plantations In the 16th century the state had more slaves than any other in Mexico 12 Before the slave trade was abolished Mexico had the second highest population of African slaves in the Americas following Brazil citation needed By the end of the 16th century the Spanish had constructed roads to link Veracruz with other cities such as Cordoba Orizaba Puebla Xalapa and Perote Their gold and silver were the principal exports 12 13 This caused the city problems with pirates prompting the construction of Fort San Juan de Ulua on the island where Grijalva had landed in the mid 16th century 4 Major public buildings were constructed at the beginning of the 17th century the municipal palace the monastery of Nuestra Senora de la Merced and the Hospital de Nuestra Senora de Loreto In 1618 a fire nearly reduced much of the city to ashes In 1640 the Barlovento Armada was stationed here for additional defense against pirates 4 Through the rest of the colonial period this was the most important port in New Spain with a large wealthy merchant class that was more prosperous than that of Mexico City 7 The pirates Nicholas van Hoorn Laurens de Graaf and Michel de Grammont attacked Vera Cruz in 1683 19th century edit nbsp The 1838 Battle of Veracruz part of the 1st French Mexican War See also Siege of Veracruz The 19th century was marked by armed conflicts During the Mexican War of Independence Spain placed troops here to maintain Mexico City s sea link with Spain In 1816 Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna commanded royalist troops countering the insurgency In 1820 insurgents took the city despite Santa Anna s attempts to stop them The last viceroy of New Spain Juan O Donoju arrived here in 1821 where he signed the Treaty of Cordoba with Agustin de Iturbide at Fort San Juan de Ulua In 1823 Spanish troops remaining at Fort San Juan de Ulua fired on the newly independent Mexican city of Veracruz The city s defense against the attack earned its first title of Heroic City During the Pastry War in 1837 the city mounted a defense against a French attack and earned its second title of Heroic City 4 nbsp The 1847 Siege of Veracruz during the Mexican American War In 1847 during the Mexican American War United States forces invaded the city It was defended by generals Juan Morales and Jose Juan de Landero The siege continued with brisk firing until 27 March by which time a considerable breach had been made in the wall surrounding the city Upon this General Morales who was Governor of both the city and of San Juan de Ulua commenced a correspondence with General Winfield Scott looking to the surrender of the town forts and garrison On the 29th Vera Cruz and San Juan de Ulua were occupied by Scott s army About five thousand prisoners and four hundred pieces of artillery in addition to large amounts of small arms and ammunition fell into the hands of the victorious invaders The casualties on the US side during the siege amounted to sixty four officers and men killed and wounded nbsp Veracruz city center in 1876 Ten years later civil war between liberals and conservatives forced Benito Juarez s government to flee Mexico City Juarez went to Veracruz and governed from there in 1857 12 In 1861 Spain sent its troops to occupy the port in an effort to secure payment of debts which Juarez had suspended French military forces accompanied them to prepare for Maximiliano I and occupied the city when the emperor and his wife Carlota of Belgium arrived in 1864 4 20th century edit See also United States occupation of Veracruz The conflicts and damaged trade relations with Europe took its toll on the port of Veracruz By 1902 the port facilities had deteriorated and it was considered one of the most dangerous on the American coast President Porfirio Diaz contracted with foreign enterprises to modernize the port s infrastructure 13 nbsp Soldiers at the port of Veracruz during the Mexican Revolution Between April and November 1914 during the Mexican Revolution 1910 1920 the US attacked and occupied the port in an effort to try to preserve trade in the dispute with President Victoriano Huerta 17 The city gained its fourth title of Heroic City 4 After the Revolution most port workers became unionized Through most of the 20th century federal and state legal and political initiatives intended to better workers lives had effects on the operations of the port Eventually unions came to have great power over the operations and tariffs charged By the latter part of the 20th century competing unions made the operations of the port difficult Some blocked access to the port from federal roads and financial corruption was a problem nbsp American troops during the 1914 United States occupation of Veracruz In the 1970s a federal commission was established to design a new administrative system for the ports of Mexico The legislature passed laws authorizing the federal government to take control over important ports such as Veracruz The federal government modernized the port adopting automation of loading and unloading This resulted in a reduction of 80 of the port s jobs and labor resistance through strikes The dockworkers unions unified negotiating for members to have a stake in a new company to manage the port s functions named the Empresa de Servicios Portuarios de Veracruz S A de C V The old Compania Terminal de Veracruz was dissolved in 1988 and the new organization was fully in place by 1991 13 21st century edit In September 2010 Hurricane Karl a small strong Category 3 hurricane caused widespread flooding and damage affecting approximately half a million people Sixteen were confirmed dead with another eleven missing Sixty five municipalities in the state were declared disaster areas Preliminary damage estimates total up to US 3 9 billion and 50 billion MXN 18 Geography edit nbsp Satellite view of Veracruz As the municipal seat the city of Veracruz is the governing authority for 128 other named localities during the 2010 census forming a municipality with a territory of 241 km2 93 sq mi 4 The population of the municipality is 552 156 inhabitants of whom 428 323 or approximately 77 6 live in municipality s portion of the city proper 19 The municipality is bordered by the municipalities of La Antigua Boca del Rio Manlio Fabio Altamirano Medellin and Paso de Ovejas with the Gulf of Mexico to the northeast and has an average altitude of ten meters above sea level The area is flat with little in the way of elevations and is crossed by the Medio Grande and Tonayan Rivers There are also beaches here such as the Sacrificios and Verde Its climate is tropical with an average temperature of 25 3 C 77 5 F Vegetation is mostly of the rainforest type with many trees losing leaves during the winter dry season Fauna mostly consists of birds small mammals and insects 4 nbsp View of Isla de Sacrificios Much of the land in the municipality outside of the city is used for agriculture and livestock Principal crops include corn beans watermelon oranges sorghum mango pineapple and sugar cane Livestock raised includes cattle pigs sheep fowl and horses There is also some forestry The municipality contains deposits of marble lime cement sand and clay In and around the city there are a number of industrial sites producing paints and solvents food products plastics petrochemicals and metals 4 Veracruz has many beaches and off coast islands Controversy has accompanied the clean up of the island called Isla de Sacrificios which lies just off the coast of the city and measures 450 meters long and 198 meters wide The island is part of a system of twenty three coral reefs called the Veracruz Reef System which is protected as a national park 20 Visitors can kayak to the Isla de Sacrificios to observe seagulls pelicans and the fish that inhabit the coral reef 21 In 1983 a study and initial cleanup project was undertaken at the island which collected fifty tons of trash Shortly thereafter the island was closed to the public and since then there has been a struggle among authorities tour operators and fisherman as to the fate and uses of the island However access to the island has been restricted to research teaching and the occasional sporting event 20 nbsp Plaza de la Concordia Other small islands and shoals off the coast include Isla de Enmedio Isla Verde Anegada de Adentro Santiaguillo and Anegada de Afuera the last two next to Anton Lizardo beach All of them are included within the Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano national park and make fine sites for SCUBA diving Several operators in Veracruz and in Boca del Rio offer scuba equipment and tours The best season for scuba diving is May to August The mainland has several beaches Playa Marti is located between the city of Veracruz and Boca del Rio The Playa de Hornos is located next to the Veracruz Aquarium There are also boats that take tourist to the Isla Canuncito Villa del Mar is just south of Playa de Hornos 21 Climate edit nbsp Isla de Enmedio in the Veracruz Reef System National Park Like the majority of the coastal part of the state of Veracruz and southern parts of Tamaulipas the city of Veracruz has a tropical savanna climate Koppen Aw 22 The wet season typically lasts from June to October when a vast majority of the yearly precipitation falls Large tropical thunderstorms occur nearly daily in the late afternoon originating in the moist atmosphere above the Gulf of Mexico 23 24 The wet season has slightly hotter temperatures and is more humid than other seasons the dewpoint can easily exceed 25 C 77 0 F 23 24 It has fewer foggy days than the dry season averaging around 4 7 foggy days 23 24 The dry season of the year spans from November to May with slightly cooler temperatures and less humid days making it the much more desirable part of the year for visiting tourists as opposed to the stormy humid wet season Despite the dryness winters are foggy and cloudy averaging 10 17 overcast days and 11 17 foggy days per month during the dry season 23 24 Many tourists visit Veracruz during Christmas and March break in the midst of the winter s comfortably warm dry season Veracruz receives an average of 1 564 mm 61 6 in of precipitation annually 23 The wettest month of the year is July with an average monthly total of 385 mm 15 2 in of rainfall while the driest month of the year is March with an only 13 mm 0 51 in of rainfall 23 Temperature wise the hottest months of the year are June and August both sharing mean temperatures of 28 C 82 4 F while the coolest month of the year is January with a mean temperature of 21 2 C 70 2 F 25 Climate data for Veracruz Synoptic Observatory elevation 19 4 m 1981 2000 averages extremes 1951 2000 a Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 34 7 94 5 33 2 91 8 39 2 102 6 39 5 103 1 39 5 103 1 36 7 98 1 37 0 98 6 36 0 96 8 35 4 95 7 35 0 95 0 34 0 93 2 36 0 96 8 39 5 103 1 Mean daily maximum C F 24 7 76 5 25 0 77 0 27 4 81 3 29 2 84 6 31 1 88 0 31 4 88 5 31 2 88 2 31 2 88 2 30 8 87 4 29 7 85 5 27 7 81 9 25 9 78 6 28 8 83 8 Daily mean C F 21 5 70 7 21 9 71 4 24 0 75 2 25 8 78 4 27 8 82 0 28 1 82 6 27 5 81 5 27 6 81 7 27 2 81 0 26 2 79 2 24 2 75 6 22 6 72 7 25 4 77 7 Mean daily minimum C F 18 4 65 1 18 8 65 8 20 7 69 3 22 5 72 5 24 6 76 3 24 8 76 6 23 8 74 8 23 9 75 0 23 6 74 5 22 7 72 9 20 7 69 3 19 3 66 7 22 0 71 6 Record low C F 5 8 42 4 7 2 45 0 2 0 35 6 9 0 48 2 14 5 58 1 17 0 62 6 19 8 67 6 13 2 55 8 17 0 62 6 12 0 53 6 2 0 35 6 0 2 32 4 0 2 32 4 Average precipitation mm inches 37 9 1 49 17 8 0 70 13 1 0 52 24 4 0 96 74 2 2 92 196 3 7 73 385 1 15 16 320 5 12 62 292 6 11 52 130 7 5 15 32 0 1 26 39 6 1 56 1 564 61 57 Average precipitation days 0 1 mm 5 3 3 1 3 8 3 8 5 0 12 8 18 5 16 4 15 4 10 6 6 2 5 7 106 7Average relative humidity 81 0 79 0 74 0 77 0 72 0 73 0 79 0 80 0 79 0 77 0 79 0 81 0 77 6Mean monthly sunshine hours 162 0 165 0 192 0 205 0 203 0 207 0 187 0 177 0 162 0 170 0 179 0 161 0 2 170Source SMN 23 Climate data for Veracruz Synoptic Observatory elevation 19 4 m 1961 1990 normalsMonth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearMean daily maximum C F 24 3 75 7 24 6 76 3 26 5 79 7 28 7 83 7 30 4 86 7 30 8 87 4 30 9 87 6 31 2 88 2 30 8 87 4 29 6 85 3 27 6 81 7 25 5 77 9 28 4 83 1 Daily mean C F 21 2 70 2 21 6 70 9 23 4 74 1 25 6 78 1 27 4 81 3 28 0 82 4 27 6 81 7 28 0 82 4 27 6 81 7 26 5 79 7 24 5 76 1 22 5 72 5 25 3 77 5 Mean daily minimum C F 18 1 64 6 18 5 65 3 20 6 69 1 22 8 73 0 24 6 76 3 24 5 76 1 23 6 74 5 23 9 75 0 23 6 74 5 22 7 72 9 20 9 69 6 19 3 66 7 21 9 71 4 Average precipitation mm inches 22 0 0 87 17 0 0 67 17 0 0 67 22 0 0 87 46 0 1 81 302 0 11 89 411 0 16 18 352 0 13 86 352 0 13 86 131 0 5 16 54 0 2 13 27 0 1 06 1 753 69 03 Average precipitation days 0 1 mm 4 0 4 0 4 0 4 0 5 0 14 0 21 0 19 0 18 0 12 0 8 0 6 0 119Average relative humidity 75 5 76 0 74 0 75 0 75 5 78 0 77 0 77 0 74 5 73 0 73 5 76 0 75 4Mean monthly sunshine hours 146 3 157 9 188 9 205 9 205 4 208 0 205 1 222 5 188 7 193 5 178 7 145 8 2 246 7Source NOAA 25 Climate data for Veracruz Synoptic Observatory elevation 19 4 m 1951 1980 normals and extremesMonth Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 32 7 90 9 33 2 91 8 37 7 99 9 39 5 103 1 36 8 98 2 36 3 97 3 36 0 96 8 35 3 95 5 35 0 95 0 34 4 93 9 32 6 90 7 36 0 96 8 39 5 103 1 Mean daily maximum C F 24 6 76 3 24 9 76 8 26 5 79 7 28 6 83 5 30 2 86 4 30 7 87 3 30 7 87 3 31 2 88 2 30 7 87 3 29 6 85 3 27 4 81 3 25 4 77 7 28 4 83 1 Daily mean C F 21 4 70 5 21 8 71 2 23 5 74 3 25 7 78 3 27 4 81 3 27 9 82 2 27 6 81 7 28 0 82 4 27 6 81 7 26 4 79 5 24 2 75 6 22 2 72 0 25 3 77 6 Mean daily minimum C F 21 4 70 5 21 8 71 2 23 5 74 3 25 7 78 3 27 4 81 3 27 9 82 2 27 6 81 7 28 0 82 4 27 6 81 7 26 4 79 5 24 2 75 6 22 2 72 0 25 3 77 6 Record low C F 10 5 50 9 8 7 47 7 12 7 54 9 15 8 60 4 17 7 63 9 17 0 62 6 20 4 68 7 20 5 68 9 17 0 62 6 16 8 62 2 13 1 55 6 9 0 48 2 8 7 47 7 Average precipitation mm inches 24 1 0 95 16 0 0 63 14 5 0 57 17 4 0 69 48 2 1 90 298 3 11 74 419 9 16 53 323 1 12 72 358 6 14 12 152 9 6 02 59 6 2 35 24 4 0 96 1 757 69 18 Average precipitation days 0 1 mm 4 83 3 51 3 17 3 31 4 93 14 82 20 63 18 6 17 7 11 36 7 4 5 8 116 06Average relative humidity 80 0 80 0 81 0 80 0 78 0 79 0 79 0 78 0 78 0 74 0 77 0 80 0 79 0Mean monthly sunshine hours 147 3 166 2 175 7 182 1 194 7 203 2 200 0 227 0 174 5 193 0 165 5 140 7 2 169 9Source COLPOS 24 Culture edit nbsp Ships at the 2022 Latin American Festival of Sailing Because of its importance as Mexico s principal Caribbean and Atlantic sea port Veracruz has always been a locus for the mixture of different cultures particularly Spanish Native Mexican and African During the colonial period African slaves were imported to work in the fields and shipyards Following Mexico s independence from Spain in 1821 immigrants from Italy and Cuba settled in the city 5 8 9 The Veracruz Carnaval has been celebrated every year since 1866 during the empire of Maximilian I At that time a request was made to sponsor a Festival of Masks which would consist of dances at the principal social gathering sites of the city such as the main theater While the events were officially held at these locations many residents took advantage of the celebration on the streets near these sites Eventually the event became based in the historic center of the city and focused on the Carnaval Parade of Veracruz Today the event begins with the Burning of Bad Humor and ends with the Burial of Juan Carnaval 27 Carnaval here is the largest celebration in the country 8 nbsp The Carnaval of Veracruz parade Sugar and rum production have been mainstays as commodities during colonial times they were produced by slave labor and later immigrants often entered labor and industrial jobs Together these ethnic groups have created rich cultures 10 28 The Naval Academy attracts both Mexican and international sailors and officers adding to the cosmopolitan mix of the city 28 The city has a reputation for being lively with many people out in the squares listening to music late into the night In the morning they frequent sidewalk cafes for their morning coffee 29 Veracruz has become a popular location for filming The government has supported the development of filmmaking in the municipality Music edit nbsp Son Jarocho players in a plaza in Veracruz s historic center The song La Bamba made famous by Ritchie Valens has its roots in the Veracruz son style of music which originated in southern part of the state of Veracruz It has African and Caribbean influence and is popular throughout Mexico Latin America and the United States Traditional Veracruzian music is called Son Jarocho Although there are many types of son music found in Mexico the Son Jarocho is typically associated with the city of Veracruz Other types of son include Son Comercial This style is faster and flashier than the traditional Son Jarocho and can be heard in Mexican folkdance exhibitions when Veracruz women with long white dresses and fans dance with partners also dressed in white The Son Comercial developed in the 1940s from the Son Jarocho in the 21st century it is so pervasive that many mistakenly believe it to be the first version The Casa de Cultura has a workshops for traditional music and son singers can be heard just about anytime on the main plaza Zocalo 30 Cuisine edit nbsp El Gran Cafe de la Parroquia is the most famous cafe in Veracruz Veracruz recipes use corn beans and squash as staples a practice dating to the indigenous peoples Local diets also include indigenous tropical foods such as chili peppers tomatoes avocados pineapples papaya mamey sweet potatoes peanuts and sapote fruit all of which have been cultivated since pre Columbian times The Spanish introduced the use of herbs such as parsley thyme marjoram bay laurel and coriander as well as saffron wheat rice almonds olives olive oil garlic and capers 9 Because of the lengthy colonial period and international port these ingredients are used more widely here than in other parts of the country 10 A signature dish of the area Huachinango a la Veracruzana red snapper Veracruz style uses local fruits and vegetables tomatoes chili peppers and Spanish ingredients olive oil garlic and capers Other popular dishes include arroz a la tumbada a rice dish baked with a variety of seafood and caldo de mariscos a seafood soup reputed to cure hangovers 9 Coffeehouses are a center of social life in the city and the Gran Cafe del Portal and the Cafe de la Parroquia are the two best known establishments To request a refill customers clink the sides of their glasses not cups with their spoons This clinking can be heard from the early morning to late at night The story behind this custom is that a trolley driver used to ring his bell when he was a block away from the Gran Cafe del Portal to let the waiters know he was coming When the driver died his casket was borne on the trolley and when it passed the establishment the customers and waiters tapped their glasses in his honor 5 Landmarks edit nbsp The Castle of San Juan de Ulua built by the Spanish beginning in 1519 Veracruz is not as popular a tourist destination as many other resort areas 5 But the city has been promoting an identity as a tourist destination emphasizing new attractions such as the Veracruz Aquarium and the City Museum and the renovation of historic ones such as Fort San Juan de Ulua and the Naval Academy 8 The cultural center of the city is its main plaza officially named Plaza de las Armas but commonly called the Zocalo This tree shaded square in which a number of foreign invading armies have camped is occupied from morning to night with people playing dominos selling food cigars etc playing music dancing and other activities It is more crowded in the evening when nearly every night the danzon is danced This dance was brought over to Mexico from Cuba by refugees in the 1870s It was originally restricted to the lower classes but eventually gained accepted by all levels of society The danzon is sponsored by several dance schools dedicated to keeping the tradition alive Around the plaza are numerous shops and restaurants as well as the municipal palace and the cathedral 5 31 nbsp Venustiano Carranza Lighthouse The Municipal Palace was built for the city council in 1608 The building was extensively remodeled in the 18th century Its architectural style is a sober Baroque with a tower at one of the corners Lookouts used this tower to keep watch on the ships entering and leaving the port It has a large courtyard surrounded by wide arches and is the oldest city government building in Mexico 31 The Cathedral of Veracruz named Catedral de la Virgen de la Asuncion is also located on the Zocalo This cathedral was begun in the 17th century and finished in 1731 It was modified in the 19th century but was not designated as a cathedral until 1963 The building has five naves with an octagonal cupola covered in Puebla tiles The tower was begun in the early 20th century and has its own small cupola The main facade is Neoclassic with two levels and a crest The lower level contains an arched entrance flanked by two Doric columns and the upper level contains the choral window above which is a medallion The interior is simple with crystal candelabras 32 nbsp Veracruz Cathedral built 1731 In the port area are the Pemex Tower the old lighthouse which was the seat of government for Venustiano Carranza and the Crafts Market On Marina Mercante Street are located the Old Customs Building the Postal and Telegraph twin buildings as well as the old railroad terminal In the 1920s passenger traffic was such that the station had its own hotel The Juarez Hemicycle Monument stands in front of the Civil Registry Building which contains the first birth certificate issued in the country 33 The malecon boardwalk stretches for kilometers along the Gulf of Mexico leading from the city center into the suburbs This area is popular at night when people stroll and exercise enjoying the ocean breezes Near the city center the malecon is crowded with merchants selling knick knacks souvenirs jewelry made with seashells and T shirts 5 nbsp The historic Clavijero Theatre Fort San Juan de Ulua is located on an island now connected to land of the same name The island is part of the La Gallega coral reef and has about 2 500 meters of beach The full reef covers about 100 hectares and varies in depth between sixty and ninety centimeters forming a natural break 13 In the pre Hispanic era this island was a sanctuary dedicated to the god Tezcatlipoca 31 The site where the Spanish first landed has been developed over the centuries and today serves as the container ship terminal of the port 13 Most of the island is occupied by the fort This fort was built where the Spanish first landed to conquer Mexico City They used it for their last defense during and just after the Mexican War of Independence 31 Between these periods the fort helped defend the city against piracy and later was used for prisoners and interrogations of the Mexican Inquisition 5 The fort was begun here in 1582 to protect the city from pirates 31 and was enlarged in 1635 during the period of frequent pirate raids It was finished in 1707 5 nbsp The Municipal Palace of Veracruz After the War of Independence ended in 1821 the Spanish kept control of the island and fort and occasionally bombarded Mexican forces on land They finally transferred this area to Mexico in 1825 The fort was used in 1838 during the Pastry War with the French In 1847 it was used for an unsuccessful defense of the port when United States forces invaded during the Mexican American War 31 In the 19th century the fort was converted into a military prison 31 The fort s narrow stone passageways lead to a series of dungeons with walls 24 feet thick in some places Those cells which were darker and hotter were reserved for those charged with more serious crimes A few of the most dreaded dungeons were nicknamed Heaven Purgatory and Hell Some of prison s more famous prisoners include Fray Servando Teresa de Mier and Benito Juarez both political prisoners But the most famous is Jesus Arriaga better known as Chucho el Roto 5 Most people visit San Juan de Ulua out of attraction to the legend of this 19th century bandit 34 nbsp The Palacio Federal de Veracruz Jesus Arriaga better known as Chucho el Roto was held at Fort San Juan de Ulua where he died It is not known whether he died of natural causes as a result of a fight with other prisoners or by other means Chucho was a Robin Hood figure who lived during the 19th century 35 He stole from the rich and gave to the poor inspiring songs and poetry such as the verses penned by Rafael de Zayas Enriquez Chucho was arrested in the city of Queretaro after a jewelry store heist He was sent to the Belen Prison in Mexico City then to Veracruz He was also renowned as a seducer of women especially those who were rich and lonely Most of his targets were jewelry shops pawnshops and the homes of the wealthy 35 Along with Fort San Juan de Ulua the city used to be walled in for protection against pirates and invasions All that is left of these city walls is the Baluarte a small fortress The 1635 structure has thick sturdy walls with cannons directed to cover sea approaches Inside is a small museum featuring a collection of high quality pre Hispanic jewelry discovered in the 1970s by a fisherman 36 nbsp Veracruz AquariumThe Veracruz Aquarium was built in 1992 and is the largest and most important in Latin America 5 33 37 The Freshwater Gallery consists of thirteen exhibitions containing 562 177 liters of water These exhibitions contain aquatic species from Asia Africa South America as well as Mexico The Reef Tank is best known for its sharks The Salt Water Gallery contains fourteen tanks with tanks dedicated to the species of Veracruz the Red Sea and the Pacific Ocean Another exhibit is devoted to sharks containing 25 species that swim around visitors as they walk through a glass tunnel built through the tank There is also an exhibit dedicated entirely to manatees 37 nbsp Las Atarazanas Cultural Center The Heroica Escuela Naval Heroic Naval School was founded here in 1897 by Jose Maria de Vega then Secretary of the Navy 4 The school was founded because at the time Mexico was dependent on the hiring of foreign sailors and foreign training of its officers to staff its Navy prior attempts to establish an academy had failed Porfirio Diaz approved the institute to train both Navy and Merchant Marine officers to be based on similar schools in Western Europe 38 The City Museum Museo de la Ciudad is located at the intersections of Zaragoza and Esteban Morales streets in the historic center It is housed in a two story building which is of neoclassic design built between the mid and latter 19th century The main facade on Zaragoza Street has an enormous main door with posts framed by Ionic pilasters which reach to the upper floor and topped by a pediment and a cornice The building was originally constructed as an asylum When the French invaded Veracruz in 1861 the building was commandeered for other purposes until 1870 nbsp The Baluarte de Santiago The asylum took it back and operated here for almost 100 years New facilities were constructed for it south of the city and the building was renovated for adaptive reuse as a museum The City Museum was inaugurated in 1970 and contains exhibits relating to the history of Veracruz 39 The Agustin Lara House Museum exhibits works photographs and personal effects of the poet Agustin Lara located in what was his house in Boca del Rio just outside Veracruz 31 News clips caricatures and a replica of the radio studio where he hosted La Hora Azul The Blue Hour are among the items on display Lara was one of the city s most famous sons as a popular songwriter and singer in Mexico He began his career playing the piano in brothels and later became a bullfighter Lara had seven wives one of whom was Mexican screen diva Maria La Dona Felix for whom he wrote the song Maria Bonita To be a gentleman when he and Felix were about to break up he married her to make an honest woman of her even though they had lived together for years 5 Economy edit nbsp The port of Veracruz is the largest and most important in Mexico Laguna Verde Nuclear Power Plant LVNPP in nearby Alto Lucero Veracruz produces about 4 5 of Mexico s electrical energy Port of Veracruz edit The Port of Veracruz is the oldest and largest port in Mexico deeply important to its history 4 5 6 During the colonial period it was the most important port in New Spain the connection to ports and the Atlantic trade creating a large wealthy merchant class which was more prosperous than that of Mexico City 7 From the port of Veracruz were exported turkeys corn beans avocados and cotton to Spain From Spain came fava beans wheat rice cattle pigs fabric wine and other goods In the mid 16th century so much gold and silver was found in Veracruz that these precious metals were the chief export to Spain on what were called treasure ships commonly known as Spanish treasure fleet The bounty attracted pirates mostly from Britain and Holland such as Francis Drake and John Hawkins who preyed on such ships 7 Veracruz was invaded during conflicts with France and the United States 4 nbsp Hotel in Veracruz s historic center In the latter half of the 19th century Veracruz s importance waned as trade to Europe diminished The port was refurbished at the beginning of the 20th century but petroleum production was the primary income for the state rather than the port 13 This began to change in the latter half of the 20th century and the port has surged back to the state s economic forefront 8 In 1991 the federal government took over the port of Veracruz to correct how the handling of merchandise Later that same year the first private shipping companies began operations In 1993 the Law of Ports was passed regularizing the operations of ports in the country This law created the Administracion Portuaria de Veracruz Port Authority of Veracruz 40 nbsp Historic post office of Veracruz In the 2000s the port continues to handle all kinds of cargo moving 16 1 million tons verification needed of products in 2004 This figure is expected to rise once modernization efforts have finished especially a truck bypass that leads directly from the highway to the port 6 Veracruz is the gateway for Mexico s automobile industry which is concentrated in the center of the country in the states around Mexico City This port has several advantages It is the first to be equipped specifically for shipping automobiles Located on the south central coast Veracruz is closer to car manufacturers and has better access to both import and export markets in the U S Europe Central and South America than other Mexican ports In 2004 the port handled 70 of the automobiles exported With traffic expected to rise the port authorities unveiled a program to enlarge the port s infrastructure and expand operations by 2010 6 However conversion of port area for tourism challenges operations 41 The port handles 7 000 000 to 800 000 vehicles per year the largest volume on the continent 42 Education edit nbsp Universidad Veracruzana The Universidad Veracruzana was established in 1944 It was created by joining a number of professional and higher education establishments together It is now the main center of higher education in the state of Veracruz with five campuses and twenty two satellite locations in the state The student population is approximately 70 000 offering degrees in sixty different fields 43 Private universities include Cristobal Colon University mainly dedicated to architecture and administration 1 UNIMEX was founded in 1991 and focuses on marketing graphic design and law 44 nbsp Ilustre Instituto Veracruzano The Veracruz Institute of Technology was founded in 1946 by Ismael Lagunes Lastra It started out as the School of Arts and Letters with a mission to train students for the jobs associated with the developing port and industrial base of the city It started teaching students at the secondary and high school level later adding bachelor s degree programs In 1952 the school received a grant of lands by the federal and state governments to expand Technical programs were added in the 1960s and have become the main part of the school s work Veracruz Institute of Technology is famous due to its bachelor of engineering in biochemical engineering masters and PhD about food science and biochemical engineering 45 The Ilustre Instituto Veracruzano Illustrious Veracruzan Institute was founded in 1853 Transportation edit nbsp Veracruz Train Depot General Heriberto Jara International Airport serves the city with daily service to Mexico City as well as international service to Houston only The commercial passenger airlines to currently serve VER airport are Aeromexico United Airlines Aeromar Viva Aerobus and Mayair In 2021 the airport handled 1 103 460 passengers 46 nbsp Veracruz International Airport Non passenger rail transport Kansas City Southern de Mexico connects Veracruz with Mexico City and state capital of Xalapa Veracruz is linked to Mexico City by a four lane toll highway which also passes through Cordoba and Puebla Halfway between Veracruz and Cordoba it is connected to the La Tinaja Cosoleacaque toll highway which goes as far as Villahermosa Tabasco Another toll highway goes to Xalapa Urban transport formerly was provided by the Veracruz tram system from 1908 1981 Now the city has buses including trolley replica tour buses that looks like former trams and highlighted at evening Sister cities editSee also List of twin towns and sister cities in Mexico Veracruz is twinned with 47 48 nbsp Cadiz Spain nbsp Callao Peru nbsp Galveston United States 49 nbsp Havana Cuba nbsp Laredo United States 50 nbsp Miami Dade County United States 51 nbsp Mobile United States 52 nbsp Ordes Spain nbsp Oviedo Spain nbsp Pharr United States nbsp Quetzaltenango Guatemala nbsp San Jose United States 53 nbsp Santos Brazil nbsp Seville Spain nbsp Tampa United States 54 nbsp Valencia Spain nbsp Valparaiso Chile 55 See also edit nbsp Mexico portalBoca del Rio Veracruz Veracruz CanyonNotes edit Although the values have a record of more than two decades it can not be used as an overview of the local climate as it does not reach the minimum period of 30 years required by WMO 26 References edit Stacy Lee 2002 Mexico and the United States Marshall Cavendish p 845 ISBN 9780761474029 TelluBase Mexico Fact Sheet Tellusant Public Service Series PDF Tellusant Retrieved 11 January 2024 a b 2020 census tables INEGI Censo Veracruz 2020 PDF 2 May 2023 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Enciclopedia de los Municipios de Mexico Veracruz Ignacio de la Llave in Spanish Mexico INAFED Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b c d e f g h i j k l m Alisau Graber Patricia Un poco de gracia MexConnect Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b c d e Rueda Marisol August 2005 Overdrive Mexico s Port of Veracruz expands to move more goods cars above all else Latin Trade Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b c d Veracruz in la Veracruz in history in Spanish Veracruz H Ayuntamiento de Veracruz Archived from the original on 19 June 2008 Retrieved 30 October 2009 a b c d e Vacaciones en Veracruz Puerto Best Day Mexico Informacion para sus Viajes Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b c d Hursh Graber Karen The Cuisine of Veracruz A Tasty Blend of Cultures MexConnect Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b c Red Snapper Veracruzana Epicurious Retrieved 30 October 2009 Eagle Relief Toltec Metropolitan Museum of Art website a b c d The History of Veracruz The History Channel Archived from the original on 8 February 2010 Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b c d e f g h i j k Sanchez Diez Jaime R 18 October 2000 Estudio sobre reestructuracion portuaria Impacto Social Sinopsis Histurica del Puerto de Veracruz Study about the port s restructuring Social Impact Historic Sinopsis of the Port of Veracruz in Spanish Mexico Puerto de Veracruz Organizacion Internacional Retrieved 29 October 2009 Historia de San Juan de Ulua History of Fort San Juan de Ulua in Spanish Archived from the original on 11 January 2010 Retrieved 29 October 2009 Williamson Edwin 1992 The Penguin history of Latin America London Allen Lane p 17 ISBN 978 0 7139 9076 8 Diaz B 1963 The Conquest of New Spain London Penguin Books ISBN 0140441239 Merriam Webster s geographical dictionary 1972 Third Edition Springfield MA Merriam Webster Inc Publishers p 1257 ISBN 0 87779 546 0 Alberto Najar 20 September 2010 Sigue la devastacion por el huracan Karl Devastation from Hurricane Karl continues BBC Mundo in Spanish Retrieved 20 September 2010 2010 census tables INEGI Archived 2 May 2013 at the Wayback Machine a b Cortanos Delgado Gabriela 31 October 2005 La isla in disputa The island in dispute La Jornada Ecologica in Spanish Mexico City UNAM Retrieved 30 October 2009 a b Portal de Ciudadano Veracruz Veracruz Citizen Portal in Spanish Archived from the original on 5 April 2009 Retrieved 29 October 2009 Kottek M J Grieser C Beck B Rudolf F Rubel 2006 World Map of the Koppen Geiger climate classification updated PDF Meteorol Z 15 3 259 263 Bibcode 2006MetZe 15 259K doi 10 1127 0941 2948 2006 0130 Retrieved 12 January 2013 a b c d e f g Veracruz Normales climatologicas 1981 2000 PDF in Spanish Conagua Archived from the original PDF on 7 December 2014 Retrieved 12 January 2013 a b c d e Normales climatologicas para Veracruz Veracruz 1951 1980 in Spanish COLPOS Archived from the original on 21 February 2013 Retrieved 12 January 2013 a b Veracruz 76692 WMO Weather Station NOAA Retrieved 25 April 2015 The Definition of the Standard WMO Climate Normal The Key to Deriving Alternative Climate Normals American Meteorological Society June 2011 Retrieved 8 February 2019 Carnaval de Veracruz Tradicion Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b Hughson Graber Dean and Yoly Veracruz For Gringos MexConnect Retrieved 29 October 2009 Veracruz City Fodor s Retrieved 30 October 2009 Carraher Janice La Bamba Explained Or The Music of Veracruz MexConnect Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b c d e f g h Centro Historico de la Ciudad y Puerto de Veracruz Historic Center of the City and the Port of Veracruz in Spanish Archived from the original on 11 April 2009 Retrieved 29 October 2009 Consagrada Catedral de Veracruz Consecrated Cathedral of Veracruz in Spanish ARQHYS Retrieved 30 October 2009 a b Fin de semana en el puerto de Veracruz Weekend in the port of Veracruz in Spanish Mexico Desconocido Archived from the original on 16 April 2009 Retrieved 30 October 2009 Todd John Jr Chucho el Roto The Legend of a Mexican Bandit The Folk Hero of San Juan de Ulua Universidad Veracruzana Retrieved 29 October 2009 a b Castillo Marko Chucho el Roto Universidad Veracruzana Archived from the original on 17 July 2011 Retrieved 29 October 2009 Baluarte de Santiago Fodor s Retrieved 30 October 2009 a b Acuario de Veracruz Veracruz Aquarium in Spanish Archived from the original on 5 August 2009 Retrieved 29 October 2009 FUNDACIoN DE LA ESCUELA NAVAL MILITAR Foundation of the Naval Academy in Spanish Secretariat of the Navy Mexico Archived from the original on 1 September 2009 Retrieved 30 October 2009 Descripcion e Historia del Edificio del Museo de la Ciudad Coronel Manuel Gutierrez Zamora Description and History of the building of the City Museum Coronel Manuel Gutierrez Zamora in Spanish Archived from the original on 17 April 2008 Retrieved 29 October 2009 spain travel guide in Turkish Turkey Gezily Ludwig Christopher 19 July 2016 Volkswagen amp Audi in Mexico part 3 Building in an extra level of efficiency Automotive Logistics Retrieved 13 May 2017 Volkswagen is set to lose a dedicated covered parking garage for 4 000 vehicles that it has used for 30 years which the port authority plans to redevelop for tourism Williams Marcus 5 July 2017 North American ports Slowdown after growth tests capacity to cope Automotive Logistics Archived from the original on 3 August 2017 Retrieved 3 August 2017 Veracruz which was the continent s largest vehicle handling port for the sixth time in seven years Introduccion Universidad Veracruzana Introduction Veracruzana University in Spanish Archived from the original on 25 September 2017 Retrieved 29 October 2009 UNIMEX Universidad sin fronteras www unimexver edu mx Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz Historia Veracruz Institute of Technology History in Spanish Veracruz Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz Retrieved 30 October 2009 Passenger s Traffic in Spanish ASUR Retrieved 11 January 2023 Acuerdos interinstitucionales registrados por dependencias y municipios de Veracruz in Spanish Secretaria de relaciones exteriores Retrieved 29 September 2021 Tren que llevaria pasajeros de Veracruz a Mexico quedo en simple noticia in Spanish El Dictamen 12 January 2018 Retrieved 29 September 2021 Sister Cities City of Galveston Retrieved 29 September 2021 Sister Cities City of Laredo Retrieved 29 September 2021 Sister Cities Miami Dade County Retrieved 29 September 2021 Mobile s Sister Cities City of Mobile Retrieved 29 September 2021 Silicon Alleys San Jose Okayama Celebrate Six Decades as Sister Cities Metro Active 12 June 2019 Retrieved 29 September 2021 Sister Cities City of Tampa 23 February 2016 Retrieved 29 September 2021 Ciudades Hermanas in Spanish Region de Valparaiso Retrieved 29 September 2021 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Veracruz City nbsp Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Veracruz Museum of Veracruz in Spanish 19 11 25 N 96 09 12 W 19 19028 N 96 15333 W 19 19028 96 15333 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Veracruz city amp oldid 1201950228, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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