Veracruz, Mexican state region in Gulf of Mexico, Mexico.
Veracruz extends over more than 650 kilometers along the gulf coast between the drier plains to the north and the wetter tropical areas to the south. The landscape shifts between beaches, mangrove swamps, and densely forested hills inland.
The Spanish expedition reached this coast in 1519 and soon after founded the first permanent European settlement on the American mainland. Over the following centuries, enslaved Africans were brought here, shaping the regional culture to this day.
Afro-Mexican presence shows itself in the jarocho music tradition with its harp accompaniment and playful text improvisation. This oral tradition stays alive during family gatherings and local festivals.
The climate stays warm and humid throughout the year, with the rainy season from June to October bringing heavy downpours. Roads in rural areas can become harder to travel during the rainy season.
Vanilla orchids grow wild in the higher elevations and became the basis for worldwide vanilla cultivation. Local farmers sometimes explain to visitors the traditional hand pollination of these plants.
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