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Veracruz, formally Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave is one of the 32 states that constitute Mexico. It is located in the east-central part of the Gulf of Mexico country, between 17°10 and 22°38 North and between 93°55' and 98°38' West. It has a mainland area of 72,815 square kilometers (28,114 sq mi) and includes several islands in the Gulf of Mexico totalling a further 58 square kilometers (22.4 sq mi).
In April 1518, Juan de Grijalva disembarked on an islet near the shore that was called San Juan de Ulúa. On April 22, 1519 Hernan Cortez disembarked on Chalchihuecan beach, where he decided to found a village and form the first colonial settlement in Mexico. That day was Good Friday, the day of Holy Week known as the day of La Vera Cruz (True Cross) — hence he chose the name of La Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz. It was from this base in August 1519 that Cortez began his course of conquest inland to Tenochtitlan, Mexico, while his subsidiary conquistador commanders pacified other regions that today shape the entity of Veracruz. |
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The major theme of Classic Veracruz art is human sacrifice, particularly in context of the Mesoamerican ballgame. This art is rendered with extensive and convoluted banded scrolls that can be
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seen both on monumental architecture and on portable art, including ceramics and even carved bones. At least one researcher has suggested that the heads and other features formed by the scrolls are a Classic Veracruz form of pictographic writing. This scrollwork may have grown out of similar styles found in Chiapa de Corzo and Kaminaljuyu. In addition to the scrollwork, the architecture is known for its ornate ornamentation, such as that seen on the Pyramid of Niches at El Tajin. This ornamentation produces dramatic contrasts of light and shadow, what art historian George Kubler called a "bold chiaroscuro". |
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After breakfast, we will take a trolley tour of the historical downtown area of the city of Veracruz. After that, we check out of our hotel,
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travel south 100 miles, and take in some great views along the way. You will definitely know you are in the tropics as you view the lush, green rolling hills, and forests of Veracruz. At times, we will be skirting miles of deserted sand beaches next to the Gulf of Mexico. The waterfall scene toward the end of the movie, Apocalypto (directed by Mel Gibson) was filmed at our next scenic stop. This massive waterfall called Salto de Eyipantla, is only a few feet shorter than Niagara Falls. We then continue on to the lakeside town of Catemaco and check in at Hotel Posada Koniapan. |
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In pre-Hispanic era, Isla de Sacrificios (Sacrifice Island), was inhabited by the Totonacs and the Olmecs, and was named Chalchihuitlapazco. It was discovered in 1518 by Juan de Grijalva, during the exploration of
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the Gulf of Mexico. One of the largest islands around Boca del Río, this site is surrounded by a coral reef. La Antigua was the second settlement after "La Villa Rica de la Veracruz". It is located 25 kilometers from Veracruz City. It features the house of Hernán Cortés. It is a small town that holds the oldest still-standing Catholic chapel built in the American continent. Papantla was founded by Totonacs. It is located 198 meters above sea level between the Cazones and Tecolutla rivers.
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You will have another chance to sign up for an early morning lake Catemaco fishing trip (extra fee). Sleep late if you want or get up early, and watch
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the sun rise over the lake. It's up to you. In the late morning, we travel around the lake to picnic on the banks of the Rio Cuezalapan. There you can swim in the knee-to-waist deep crystal clear, cool waters of this small river. You might just feel like Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn as you squander the afternoon away "hangin out" on the banks of the stream. |
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