I
State (pop., 2000: 6,908,975), east-central Mexico.
Bordering the Gulf of Mexico , it occupies 27,683 sq mi (71,699 sq km); its capital is Jalapa . The state's low, sandy gulf area rises inland to a central plateau, where the volcano Citlaltépetl , Mexico's highest peak, reaches 18,406 ft (5,610 m) high. The area was inhabited by pre-Columbian cultures, including the Olmec . The first European landing was made by
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in full Veracruz Llave
City (pop., 2000: 411,582) and port on the Gulf of Mexico , east-central Veracruz state, east-central Mexico.
Hernán Cortés founded La Villa Rica de la Veracruz as the first Mexican municipality in 1519, but the site was twice abandoned because of its unhealthy conditions; the present city dates from с 1600. As the chief link between colonial Mexico and Spain, Veracruz prospered as a port and became the most "Spanish" of Mexican cities. It was attacked and captured repeatedly, first by privateers, then by French and U.S. forces (see Veracruz incident ). It was renamed Veracruz Llave in honour of Gen. Ignacio de la Llave, governor of Veracruz state (1857–60). Both the 1857 and 1917 Mexican constitutions were proclaimed there. A revolt against Pres. {{link=Madero, Francisco Indal%C3%A9cio">Francisco Madero occurred there in 1912. It is one of Mexico's chief seaports and a commercial centre for the Gulf coast.