State: Veracruz

Population: 7,000,000
Size: 27,801 square miles
Location: southeast Mexico
Borders: Gulf of Mexico and states of Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosí, Hidalgo, Puebla, Oaxaca Chiapas and Tabasco
Important cities/sites within the state: Coatepec, Lago de Catemaco, Los Tuxtlas, Orizaba, Punta Antón Lizardo, Santiago Tuxtla, Tlacotalpan, Veracruz port, Xalapa (capital) and the archeological zones of Cempoala and El Tajín.
Major airports: General Heriberto Jara Intl aka Veracruz Intl. (VER), Poza Rica Airport (PAZ)
Time Zone: Central Standard Time
Web site: www.veracruz.gob.mx

Photo by Guillermo Aldana Click on the image for larger version

Veracruz State, located in southeastern Mexico, features the longest coastline on the Gulf of Mexico and is virtually synonymous with enjoyment, music, dancing, charm and witchcraft. Its colorful fiestas held throughout the year culminate in its internationally renowned carnival, which, combined with the superb local cuisine, make it a magnet for tourists.

Veracruz features several important archaeological sites. El Tajin, located in the northern city of Papantla, is one of the country’s most-visited archaeological sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tajin was built by the Totonacs, an important civilization that reached its peak from the early ninth to early 13th centuries A.D. and whose cultural influence extended not only all along the Gulf of Mexico but also into the Yucatan Peninsula and central Mexico. It became the most important religious empire in northeast Mesoamerica after the fall of Teotihuacan in 700 AD, located near modern-day Mexico City. The buildings found in El Tajin are masterpieces of ancient Mexican and American architecture that reveal astronomical and symbolic significance. Its unique architecture is characterized by elaborate carved reliefs on the columns, and the Pyramid of the Niches, in particular, features 365 niches representing the days of the year.

Photo by Guillermo Aldana Click on the image for larger version

Cantona, 60 miles away from the capital city of Xalapa, is another important archaeological zone and considered one of the largest cities in Mesoamerica with an area of 4,633 square miles. This prehispanic city features a series of raised avenues, staircases and alleys surrounded by pyramids and twenty-four ball courts. Additional nearby archaeological sites include Quiahuitztlan and Filalobos.

Outdoor enthusiasts can also participate in a variety of activities. Popular attractions include the waterfalls at Xico, the traditional coffee town of Coatepec, the Cofre de Perote and the town of Jalcomulco, where travelers can practice numerous adventurous sports including whitewater rafting and mountaineering.

The city of Veracruz was founded by Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés in 1519 at the start of his quest to conquer Mexico and who named the port La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz ("The Rich Town of the Holy Cross"). It remains one of the most important port cities in Mexico, is the largest city on the Gulf and features a fascinating blend of colonial and modern architecture.

Photo by Guillermo Aldana Click on the image for larger version

Walking tours on the malecon (boardwalk) or through the zocalo (downtown historic center) are popular activities among visitors to Veracruz. In the evenings, young and old gather to dance the danzón, a dignified, stately dance, attracting large audiences of locals and tourists alike. The city and surrounding towns, among them Boca del Rio, are famous for their seafood dishes, including arroz a la tumbada (a local version of paella) and cangrejo moro (stone crab).

Veracruz is home to colorful cities such as Cordoba, Papantla and Tlacotalpan, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Catemaco and its Isla de los Monos are known for their magical influences and Catemaco’s witch festival held annually in March.

Veracruz is also the site of coffee plantations surrounded by stunning natural wonders including waterfalls, lagoons, rivers popular for rafting, as well as the magnificent coastal strip of the Costa Esmeralda, providing boundless opportunities for adventure and ecotourism.