The Mexican State of Veracruz which formal name is Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave, it is located in the eastern center of the Gulf of Mexico covering 22.4 square miles including in its territory many islands, and its capital is Xalapa.
It is the third most populous state in Mexico, after Federal District and Mexico City.
Veracruz is surrounded by the states of Oaxaca and Chiapas to the south, Tamaulipas to the north, Puebla, Hidalgo and San Luis Potosí to the west, Tabasco in the southeast, and the Gulf of Mexico to the east.
Its proximity to the ocean creates mostly a hot and humid climate all over the state. However, where there is presence of mountains the climate turns cold, humid, and with abundant rains; and infrequently during November and October, Veracruz is affected by hurricanes.
Furthermore, its tropical climate gives origin to natural sceneries, such as the Citlaltépetl or Pico de Oribaza Volcano, or the typical towns that have preserved their old colonial architectures.
The history tells that on April 22nd, 1519 the Spanish Hernán Cortéz disembarked on Chalchihuecan beach. That day, when was Good Friday of the Holy Week known as the day of La Vera Cruz, Cortéz decided to found the first colonial settlement in Mexico choosing the name of La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz.
Then, it was the beginning for Veracruz became the center and entrance of the Spanish conquers, being the principal point of communication between Spain and the new found territory.
Even though the time has passed over Veracruz, there are still some other languages used ins some towns; such as the Nahuatl in Zongolica, Papantla, Mixtequilla and Huayacocotla, the italian in Huatusco and Tuxtlas, the Greek in towns near Rinconada. But, the predominant language is the Spanish with a Caribbean Spanish accent, similar to the Cuban, with the tendency to drop final syllables like -S/-Z.
Veracruz, besides El Tajín, has some other places for tourism such as La Antigua, the little town at 25 kilometres from Veracruz where is featured the house of Hernán Cortéz and holds the oldest Catholic chapel built in the American continent.
There is also one of the largest island around Boca del Río and surrounded by the coral reef, La Isla de Sacrificios, which was inhabited by the Olmecs; and Papantla, found by Totonacs at 198 metres above sea level.