Veracruz City

Veracruz is a city in the Mexican state of Veracruz, located 105 kilometers (65 miles) along federal highway 140 from the state capital of Jalapa. It is often referred to as "Puerto de Veracruz" or "Veracruz Ciudad" to distinguish it from the state.

Veracruz is the largest Mexican city on the east coast and a busy seaport. 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 1815, the 1838 expulsion of the French Navy in the Pastry War, and resistance to the United States's occupations of 1847 and 1914. During the Mexican-American War US forces led by General Winfield Scott took the city on March 29, 1847 after a siege.