Veracruz (city): Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 02:10, 31 October 2006 editAntiVandalBot (talk \| contribs)258,750 editsm BOT - rv 202.124.132.22 (talk) to last version by 82.60.191.116← Previous edit		Revision as of 02:10, 31 October 2006 edit undo202.124.132.22 (talk) blaNext edit →
Line 1:		Line 1:
			what on earth???>?????
	:'''''Veracruz''' is the name of both a state in Mexico and that state's largest city. This article is about the city. For the state, see: ]. For other uses, see ].''

	]

	The city of '''Veracruz''' is a major port city on the ] in the ] ] of ]. It is Mexico's second largest Gulf city (after ]) and an important port on Mexico's east coast. It is located 105 ](65 ].) along ] from the state capital ], and is the state's most populous city, with a population of about 500,000 in ]. It is often referred to as ''Puerto de Veracruz'' to distinguish it from the state. The people of Veracruz are known as ''jarochos''.

	==History==
	The ] was founded by ], who first landed there in ] at the start of his quest to conquer Mexico for ]. 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 the main port of ], the port where ] from the mines of ] was loaded onto the ]s for shipment to Spain. The port was harassed by hostile powers and by ]s; pirate bands succeeded in pillaging the city in ] and in ]. In response to such dangers the large ] of ] was built on an island in the harbor, beginning in ] and substantially expanded several times later.

	A natural harbor, Veracruz has been fought over throughout its history, and boasts the title "Four Times Heroic" in reference to the expulsion of the Spanish in ], the ] occupation of the ] in the ], and resistance to the ]'s occupations of ] and ] (see: ] and ]).

	During the ], US forces led by Gen. ] took the city on ], ] after a ]. It wasn't captured by ] in ] and again in ]. In ] it was occupied by the United States for seven months because of the ], this time under ] ].

	The ] connecting Veracruz to ], 425 km (264 mi.) inland over mountain ranges, was constructed during the administration of ] and inaugurated in ].

	]
	]

	==Culture==
	The city is known for its rich traditions of ], including ] bands, ] and ]. A special kind of music called ''son jarocho'', a mix of Mexican folk music and Cuban ], was developed in southern Veracruz state, in and around Veracruz, Veracruz. ] 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 fesivities illustrate the fact that the city is in many ways more connected to ] culture than that of inland Mexico.

	The ''malecón'' harbor-front 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 ], the 5000 citizens of Veracruz were trapped in the city, when the pirate Laurent de Gaff held it under siege. His 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.

	==External links==
	*
	*
	*

	{{coor title dm\|19\|11\|N\|96\|08\|W\|type:city}}

	]
	]
	]

	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]
	]

Revision as of 02:10, 31 October 2006

what on earth???>?????