Everything about Veracruz Veracruz totally explained
The city of
Veracruz is a major port city and
municipality on the
Gulf of Mexico in the
Mexican state of
Veracruz. The
metropolitan area is Mexico's First largest City on the Gulf coast (after Veracruz
Tampico and
Ciudad del Carmen) and an important port on Mexico's east coast. It is located 105
km (65
mi.) along
Federal Highway 140 from the state capital
Xalapa, and is the state's most populous city, with a population of 444,438 in the city and 512,310 in the municipality, according to the
2005 census. The municipality has an area of 241 km² (93.05 sq mi) and includes such outlying communities as Valente Díaz and Las Amapolas. The metropolitan area, which includes the municipalities of
Boca del Río and
Alvarado, had a total population of 702,394, compared to metro Tampico's total of 803,196.
It is often referred to as
Puerto de Veracruz to distinguish it from the state. The people of Veracruz are known as
Jarochos. It is also referred as the
Four Times Heroic City after resisting various invasions, two from France (
Pastry War and the
French intervention in Mexico) and two from the USA, (
Siege of Veracruz and the
1914 US occupation, both of which ended in American victory.
Beaches
Anton Lizardo is a fishing town (population about 5,000) located 23 km (14 mi) south of Veracruz, near
Boca del Río. This fairly long beach with fine, dark, hard-packed sand and calm shallow waters makes up part of the Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (Veracruz Coral Reef System). These beaches are convenient for transportation for scuba diving at the incredible coral reefs, but offer no protection from the wind or from drivers. The beaches here, as in Veracruz and Boca del Rio, are packed during national holidays and Carnaval. It is also the home of the Mexican Naval Academy. Isla de Sacrificios is located off the coast of Veracruz port. The island gets its name
(Island of Sacrifices) from the sacrifices that were once carried out by its original inhabitants. The waters here make up part of the Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Marine Park, where you can go scuba diving and kayaking. It's currently closed to the public, and it's protected by the Secretary of the Navy. Playa Chachalacas is located 50 km (31 mi) north of Veracruz, this long beach of fine, packed sand and calm waters is popular for aquatic sports. Mocambo is Located 8 km (5 mi) south of the port of Veracruz. This is one of the most visited beaches and is popular for relaxing or enjoying various water sports.
History
The
sea port was founded by
Hernán Cortés, who first landed there in
1519 at the start of his quest to conquer Mexico for
Spain. It was named
La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz ("The Rich Town of the
True Cross"; the name is also occasionally given as
La Rica Villa de la Vera Cruz).
It was
New Spain's main port, where
silver and wares from the
Manila Galleons transported overland from
Acapulco were loaded onto the
Spanish treasure fleets for shipment to Spain. The port was harassed by hostile powers and by
pirates, who succeeded in pillaging the city in
1653 and in
1712. In response to such dangers the large
fortress of
San Juan de Ulúa was built on an island in the harbour, beginning in
1565 and substantially expanded several times later.
A natural harbour, Veracruz has been fought over throughout its history, and boasts the title "Four Times Heroic" in reference to the expulsion of the Spanish in
1815, the
1838 occupation of the
French Navy in the
Pastry War, and resistance, but later surrender, to the
United States's occupations of
1847 and
1914 (see:
Siege of Veracruz and
U.S. occupation of Veracruz, 1914).
During the
Mexican-American War, US forces led by Gen.
Winfield Scott took the city on
March 29,
1847 after a
siege. It was captured by
France in
1838 and again in
1861. In
1914 it was occupied by the United States for seven months because of the
Tampico Affair, this time under
Major General Frederick Funston.
The
railroad connecting Veracruz to
Mexico City, 425 km (264 mi.) inland over mountain ranges, was constructed during the administration of
Benito Juárez and inaugurated in
1873.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 500,000 people living in Veracruz City.
The racial makeup of the city was 60% Mestizo, 15% Black/
Afro-Mexican, 15% Indian, 9% Mixed, the remaining 1% is composed by many immigrants, especially Middle-Easterns and Italians.
Culture
The city is known for its rich traditions of
music, including
marimba bands,
danzón and
comparsa. A special kind of music called
son jarocho, a mix of Mexican folk music and Cuban
son, was developed in southern Veracruz state, in and around Veracruz, Veracruz.
La Bamba is the most famous example of
son jarocho. An equally rich dance tradition parallels Veracruz's unique musical styles.
In downtown Veracruz, a large marble-tiled
zócalo, called the Plaza de Armas or Plaza Lerdo, is the heart of the city's lively nightlife. It is lined with arcades that house bars and cafes. On a nearly nightly basis large groups of people sit outside in the plaza enjoying food, drinks and cigars, while they watch musicians and dancers that perform in the square. Veracruz's 18th century cathedral and 17th century Palacio Municipal are also located on the plaza.
The yearly Carnaval festival in Veracruz, a nine-day party in February or March, is the most spectacular festival of its kind, and it's also the oldest organized Carnaval in Mexico. The city also celebrates a yearly Afrocaribeño festival in July. These festivities illustrate the fact that the city is in many ways more connected to
Caribbean culture than that of inland Mexico.
The "Malecón" harborfront walk along the docks draws many tourists, more from within Mexico than foreigners. The city has several beaches as well, like Villa del Mar and Mocambo.
Trivia
As a bustling port city, Veracruz was the site of some of the most vicious pirate raids in the Gulf of Mexico. In
1683, the 5000 citizens of Veracruz were trapped in the city, when the pirates
Laurens de Graff and
Michel de Grammont held it under siege. Together their crew of 600 looted the city and terrorized the inhabitants and left unscathed several days later.
Secret tunnels are said to exist under the city. Local lore has it that they were built during the colonial era by a countess who used them to engage affairs with men in different locations in the city while her husband was away.
Gallery
Image:Ver-Pal Mpal.jpg|Municipal Palace of Veracruz
Image:Mexico.Ver.Veracruz.01.jpg|The Carranza Lighthouse overlooks Veracruz's malecón
Image:Veracruz 1854.png|Veracruz in 1854
Image:GrandCafeParroquiaVeracruz.JPG|the "Grand Café de la Parroquia" is the most famous coffehouse in Veracruz. Its signature drink is the "lechero" which consists of expresso coffee mixed with steamed milk.
Further Information
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