| The Port of Veracruz is on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico in south-central Mexico a little over 300 kilometers east-southeast of Mexico City. Built on a low, hot beach, it's about 15 meters above sea level. Port History Before Europeans arrived there, Totonacs and Olmecs lived on nearby island they called Chalchihuitlapazco. It was discovered by Juan de Grijalva during his exploration of the Gulf of Mexico in 1518. The Port of Veracruz was established by Hernan Cortes in the early 1600s and designated as a city in 1615. Cortes used Veracruz as his base for conquest inland to Tenochtitlan while his officers pacified the territory of today's state of Veracruz. The city prospered from being the main link between Spain and colonial Mexico. Through the Port of Veracruz, products like cotton, rice, textiles, wine, domestic animals, and wheat were shipped to Europe. Because of its access to Mexico City and Puebla, the Port of Veracruz fell victim to many attacks from British pirates. In response, the Spanish built a fort on Callega Island called Castillo de San Juan de Ulua) that is a tourist attraction today. During the Mexican-American War, U.S. troops captured Veracruz, and the French used it as an entry to Mexico during the reign of Emperor Maximilian during the 1860s. Both of Mexico's constitutions (1857 and 1917) were proclaimed in the city. The Port of Veracruz is Mexico's major seaport on the east coast. Its hot climate does not deter tourists, especially for weekend holidays away from Mexico City, who enjoy the native culture, regional cuisine, and colonial-era architecture. The Port of Veracruz is also an important fishing port, and it offers water sports, beaches, and sportfishing. The Port of Veracruz is Mexico's biggest and most important port, serving all of central and southern Mexico through railways and roads. It also serves North, Central, and South America and Europe and Africa. Port Commerce The Port of Veracruz has nine specialized terminals that handle the full array of cargos, including automobiles, petroleum, shipbuilding and repair, liquid and dry bulk, general cargo, and containerized cargo. It also contains six new silos and a warehouse for grains, bringing storage capacity to 72 thousand tons. Grain imports in 1998 were about 4.6 million tons, the Port of Veracruz contributing over half of Mexico's total grain imports. In 1998, the Port of Veracruz handled a total 9.7 million tons of imports and 2.9 million tons of exports. The Port of Veracruz?container terminal covers 33.5 hectares and has a 340-meter wharf with 12 meter draft. The facility offers an almost 40-hectare container yard, replacement warehouses, two railway spurs and a container freight station, and a maintenance workshop and shed. Cruising and Travel Veracruz is a favorite destination for tourists. Offering the liveliest nightlife in the state, its downtown is near the harbor. Visitors enjoy the Cuban influence in local music and dancing. The city offers a historic fortress and beautiful architecture. San Juan de Ulua Castle, the last fortress of the Spanish Empire in Mexico, was used by the Porfirio Diaz government as a prison about which many stories are still told. Near the port, it is easy walking distance from the downtown piers. |
