Veracruz is a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico and one of the country’s oldest Spanish-founded cities. Its port has played a central role in trade, invasion, and national defense.

Veracruz bears the official title Cuatro Veces Heroica for resisting four foreign attacks: the final Spanish stronghold in 1825, the French in 1838, and United States forces in 1847 and 1914.