State of Veracruz: Ruins and Riches

The State of Veracruz is located on the Gulf coast with an extension of almost 45,000 square miles. It is bordered by the states of Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo, Puebla, Oaxaca, Chiapas and Tabasco. Its coast extends 425 miles along the Gulf and the climate ranges from humid, tropical in the low coastal regions to the cold heights of the highlands and country’s tallest volcano, Orizaba, that rises to 5,610 meters (18,405 ft) above sea level.

Veracruz is a rich agricultural a state, producing coffee, corn, beans, sugarcane, tobacco, rice and a variety of fruits. The state is also highly industrialized and a major oil extractor.

The principal cities of the state are the thriving historical port of Veracruz where Hernan Cortes founded the first colonial city of Mexico in 1519, the state capital, Xalapa (or Jalapa) and Córdoba in the coffee and tobacco growing higher lands of the interior of the state, the rich oil center of Poza Rica (meaning, literally, “rich well”), and Coatzacoalcos, Mexico’s main petrochemical producing area on the Gulf of Mexico.

Cordoba Hotels
Coatzacoalcos Hotels
Xalapa Hotels

Places of Interest and Activities:

Port of Veracruz – The town square, Los Arcos and music – San Juan de Ulúa Fort

Xalapa – “City of Flowers” in the rainforests of Veracruz – The Botanical Garden

Papantla – vanilla production and the famous Voladores de Papantla

Explore the archaeological sites of El Tajín and Cempoala

Catemaco – Waterfall & Witches

Rafting, birdwatching, sea kayaking and other adventure sports

Regional Fairs and Festival of Veracruz

January 29 – Feb. 2: Candlemas Festival, Tlacotalpan.
Dances, processions with the Virgin

Dates changeable – Carnaval, Port of Veracruz.
Popular dances, parades

May 3rd – Las Cruces Festival, Alvardo.
Music, minstrels, dances and regional cuisine

June 17th – Negreada Festival, Alto Lucero.
Jarochos – regional dances

July 25th – Festival of Santiago Apostle, Xalapa.
Fireworks, parades, music

August 15th – Festival of the Assumption, Teocelo.
Regional Dances

Eve of Sept. 30th – Festival of the Patron Saint, San Jeronimo. Coatepec.
Tecotines dance, processions

Map of Veracruz, Mexico

Related articles by Zemanta

• Mel Gibson to donate movie sets to Mexican museum (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
• How much is dentistry in Mexico? How much is a cap and post in Mexico? (bizequityblog.com)

Originally posted 2009-08-05 12:04:16.