Editing Veracruz (section)

==Geography==
===Political geography===
The state is a crescent-shaped strip of land wedged between the [[Sierra Madre Oriental]] to the west and the [[Gulf of Mexico]] to the east.<ref name="khursh">{{cite web |url=http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2085-the-cuisine-of-veracruz-a-tasty-blend-of-cultures |title=The cuisine of Veracruz: a tasty blend of cultures |first=Karen |last=Hursh Graber |date=January 1, 2006 |publisher=Mexconnect |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=October 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181008141050/http://www.mexconnect.com/articles/2085-the-cuisine-of-veracruz-a-tasty-blend-of-cultures |url-status=live }}</ref> Its total area is {{convert|78815|km2|mi2|abbr=on|0}}, accounting for about 3.7% of Mexico's total territory.<ref name="esveracruz">{{cite web |url=http://portal.veracruz.gob.mx/portal/page?_pageid=33,3784603&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |title=Estado de Veracruz |year=2006 |publisher=Secretaria de Desarrollo Economico y Portuario |location=Veracruz |language=es |trans-title=State of Veracruz |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=January 12, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112043947/http://portal.veracruz.gob.mx/portal/page?_pageid=33,3784603&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL |url-status=live }}</ref> It stretches about {{convert|650|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} north to south, but its width varies from between {{convert|212|and|36|km|mi|abbr=on|0}}, with an average of about {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on|0}} in width.<ref name="mediofisico">{{cite web |url=http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/veracruz/ |title=Medio Fisico |year=2005 |work=Enciclopedia de los Municipios de México Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave |publisher=Instituto Nacional para el Federalismo y el Desarrollo Municipal |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=Environment |access-date=August 3, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110616191401/http://www.e-local.gob.mx/work/templates/enciclo/veracruz/ |archive-date=June 16, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="brittanica">{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/625799/Veracruz |title=Veracruz |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=July 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722052049/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/625799/Veracruz |url-status=live }}</ref> Veracruz borders [[Tamaulipas]] to the north; [[Oaxaca]] and [[Chiapas]] to the south; [[Tabasco]] to the southeast; and [[Hidalgo (state)|Hidalgo]], [[Puebla]], and [[San Luis Potosí]] to the west. Its coastline along the Gulf of Mexico extends for {{convert|690|km|mi|abbr=on|0}}.<ref name="schmal">{{cite web |url=http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/veracruz.html |title=The History of Veracruz |first=John P. |last=Schmal |year=2004 |publisher=Houston Institute for Culture |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=October 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013224021/http://www.houstonculture.org/mexico/veracruz.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Natural geography===
[[File:Citlaltepetl.jpg|thumb|[[Pico de Orizaba]]]]
[[File:JamapaRiver-Near CasaBlancaTown VeracruzMexico.jpg|left|thumb|[[Jamapa River]]]]
The natural geography can be categorized into nine regions: The [[Sierra de Zongolica]], the Tecolutla Region, the Huayacocotla Region, the Metlac River area, the [[Los Tuxtlas|Tuxtlas]] Region, the Central Region, the Laguna del Castillo Region, the Pueblo Viejo-Tamiahua Region and the [[Laguna de Alvarado]] Region.<ref name="mediofisico"/> The topography changes drastically, rising from the narrow coastal plains to the highlands of the eastern Sierra Madre. Elevation varies from sea level to the [[Pico de Orizaba]], Mexico's highest peak at {{convert|5636|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} above sea level.<ref name="esveracruz"/><ref name="schmal"/> The coast is home to numerous tidewater streams and lagoons, which alternate with low strips of sand.<ref name="brittanica"/> Most of the long coastline is narrow and sandy with unstable dunes, small shifting lagoons, and points.<ref name="mediofisico"/>

The mountains are of the Sierra Madre Oriental and the [[Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt]]. Mountain ranges include the Sierra de Topila, Sierra de Otontepec, Sierra de Huayacocotla, Sierra de Coxquihui, [[Sierra de Chiconquiaco]], Sierra de Jalacingo, Sierra de Axocuapan, Sierra de Huatusco, [[Sierra de Zongolica]], and the [[Sierra de Los Tuxtlas]]. Major peaks include Pico de Orizaba ({{convert|5636|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=semicolon|0}}), [[Cofre de Perote]] ({{convert|4282|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=semicolon|1}}), Cerro de Tecomates ({{convert|3227|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=semicolon|0}}), Cerro del Vigía Alta ({{convert|3055|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=semicolon|0}}) and Cerro de 3 Tortas ({{convert|2997|m|ft|abbr=on|disp=semicolon|0}}). The Pico de Orizaba is covered in snow year round; the Cofre de Perote is covered in winter. Major valleys include the Acultzingo, Córdoba, Maltrata, Orizaba and San Andrés.<ref name="mediofisico"/>

Veracruz has over 40 rivers and tributaries, which transport rich silt from the state's highlands to its coastal regions and valleys. These rivers also provide water for hydroelectric power and irrigation.<ref name="brittanica"/> All of the rivers and streams that cross the state begin in the Sierra Madre Oriental or in the Central Mesa, flowing east to the Gulf of Mexico. The important ones include: [[Actopan River]], Acuatempan river, [[Río Blanco (Veracruz)|Río Blanco]], [[Cazones River]], [[Coatzacoalcos River]], Río de La Antigua, Ayyappan River, [[Jamapa River]], Nautla River, [[Pánuco River]], [[Papaloapan River]], [[Tecolutla River]], [[Tonalá River]], [[Tuxpan River (Veracruz)|Tuxpan River]] and [[Xoloapa River]]. The largest in terms of water discharge are the Pánuco, Tuxpan, Papaloapan, Coazocoalcos and [[Uspanapa River|Uxpanapa]]. The Panuco, Tuxpan, Papaloapan and Coatzacoalcos are navigable.<ref name="mediofisico"/> Two of Mexico's most polluted rivers, the Coatzacoalcos and the Río Blanco are located in the state. Much of the pollution comes from industrial sources, but the discharge of sewerage and uncontrolled garbage disposal are also major contributors. The state has very few sewage treatment plants, with only 10% of sewage being treated before discharge.<ref name="dosrios">{{cite web |url=http://www.imta.mx/potamologia/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=143:-en-el-estado-de-veracruz-los-dos-rios-mas-contaminados-de-mexico-salvemos-el-agua&catid=41:noticias&Itemid=102 |title=En el estado de Veracruz, los dos ríos más contaminados de México: Salvemos el Agua |date=January 1, 2010 |work=Potamología |publisher=Instituto Mexicano de Tecnología del Agua |location=Mexico |language=es |trans-title=In the state of Veracruz, the two most contaminated rivers in Mexico: Lets sabe the water |access-date=August 3, 2010 |archive-date=July 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722225617/http://www.imta.mx/potamologia/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=143:-en-el-estado-de-veracruz-los-dos-rios-mas-contaminados-de-mexico-salvemos-el-agua&catid=41:noticias&Itemid=102 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The state also has ten major waterfalls and ten major coastal lagoons. There is only one significant lake, called [[Lake Catemaco]]. Off the coast are the islands of Isla de Lobos, Isla de los Burros, [[Isla de Sacrificios]], Isla de Salmendina, Isla del Idolo, Isladel Toro, Isla Frijoles, Isla Juan A Ramirez, Isla Pajaros and Isla Terrón and the ocean reefs called Blanquilla, Medio, Tangüillo, Tuxpan, Gualleguilla, Gallega, Anegada de Adento Anegada de Afuera and Cabezo.<ref name="mediofisico"/>

=== Major communities ===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Acayucan]]
* [[Alvarado, Veracruz|Alvarado]]
* [[Boca del Río, Veracruz|Boca del Río]]
* [[Camarón de Tejeda]]
* [[Catemaco]]
* [[Coatepec, Veracruz|Coatepec]]
* [[Coatzacoalcos]]
* [[Córdoba, Veracruz|Córdoba]]
* [[El Jícaro, Veracruz]]
* [[Martínez de la Torre]]
* [[Minatitlán, Veracruz|Minatitlán]]
* [[Orizaba]]
* [[Papantla|Papantla (Papantla de Olarte)]]
* [[Poza Rica]]
* [[Santiago Tuxtla]]
* [[San Andrés Tuxtla]]
* [[Tuxpan]] (Túxpam/Túxpam de Rodríguez Cano)
* [[Veracruz (city)|Veracruz]]
* [[Xalapa|Xalapa (Xalapa-Enríquez)]]
{{Div col end}}

==== Localities ====
<!---♦♦♦ Only add a location to this list if it already has its own article on the English Wikipedia ♦♦♦--->
<!---♦♦♦ Please keep the list in alphabetical order ♦♦♦--->
*[[La Martucha]]<ref>{{cite web |title=La Martucha (Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave) |url=https://mexico.pueblosamerica.com/i/la-martucha/ |website=mexico.pueblosamerica.com |access-date=July 26, 2023 |language=Spanish |archive-date=July 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726183154/https://mexico.pueblosamerica.com/i/la-martucha/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:MountainVeracruzTabascoBorder03.JPG|thumb|Mountain formation in the south of the state]]
{{climate chart|Veracruz<!--State 2008-->
|14|24|50
|16|28|32
|16|28|18
|19|31|48
|21|33|73
|20|29|308
|19|29|250
|21|31|125
|20|28|387
|18|27|204
|14|25|54
|14|25|36
|float=right
|source=[http://smn.cna.gob.mx/productos/productos.html Comisión Nacional del Agua]<!--no link? set http://smn.cna.gob.mx/-->
}}

The large variation of altitude results in a large mixture of climates, from cold, snow-topped mountain peaks to hot, humid tropical areas on the coast.<ref name="schmal"/> 32% of the state is classified as hot and humid, 52% as hot and semi humid, 9% is warm and humid, 6% as temperate and humid and 1% is classified as cold.<ref name="esveracruz"/> Hot and humid and hot and semi-humid climates dominate from sea level to about {{convert|1000|m|ft|abbr=on|0}} above sea level. Average annual temperature ranges from {{convert|22|to|26|C|F}} with precipitation varying from {{convert|2000|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} to just over {{convert|3500|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} per year. Cooler and humid climates are found at elevations between {{convert|1000|and|1600|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}. These have an average temperature of between {{convert|18|and|22|C|F}} with precipitation varying between {{convert|2000|and|2500|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}. Temperate climates are found at higher altitudes, between {{convert|1600|and|2800|m|ft|abbr=on|0}}. Temperatures here vary from {{convert|12|to|18|C|F}} with precipitation varying more, between {{convert|500|and|2500|mm|in|abbr=on|0}}. Cold climates are found at the highest elevations, reaching up to the Cofre de Perote and the Pico de Orizaba. There is a small semiarid region around the city of Perote and the west of the Huasteca area. This is due to a [[rain shadow]] caused by the [[Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt]] and the [[Sierra Madre Oriental]], which do not permit the flow of moist Gulf air to this region.<ref name="mediofisico"/>

===Ecosystems===
[[File:Laguna catemaco shore.jpg|thumb|Shore of [[Lake Catemaco]]]]
[[File:Buganvilia.jpg|thumb|Bougainvillea]]

Various types of forest cover the state, but evergreen [[tropical forest]] dominate.<ref name="mediofisico"/> The state's ecology is of great importance for many plant and animal species. It is a center of plant endemism and has two separate endemic bird areas.<ref name="WWF">{{WWF ecoregion |id=nt0176 |name= Veracruz moist forests|access-date=August 3, 2010 }}</ref>

The northern part of the state as well as the higher mountain areas, are convergence zones between lowland evergreen tropical forests and more temperate flora and fauna. It is also the northernmost occurrence of subhumid tropical forest in Mexico, although little of this remains, mostly on steep slopes. The tropical forests of the [[Veracruz moist forests]] ecoregion are situated in the northeastern coastal plain and extend into southern Tamaulipas state, on the east side of the [[Sierra Madre Oriental]]. The soils here are volcanic and shallow, but with rich organic matter. Species that predominate include Mayan breadnut (''[[Brosimum alicastrum]]''), sapodilla (''[[Manilkara zapota]]''), rosadillo (''[[Celtis monoica]]''), ''[[Bursera simaruba]]'', ''[[Dendropanax arboreus]]'', and ''[[Sideroxylon capiri]]''. This ecoregion extends into the central part of the state, with vegetation changing to include mahogany (''[[Swietenia macrophylla]]''), sapodilla (''Manilkara zapota''), ''[[Bernoullia flammea]]'', and ''[[Astronium graveolens]]''.<ref name="WWF"/> In the central part of the state, the [[Veracruz dry forests]] extend from the Sierra to the coast, south of the [[Sierra de Chiconquiaco]]. The [[Petén–Veracruz moist forests]] occupy the southern part of the state, and extend eastwards through neighboring Chiapas and Tabasco states into Guatemala.

Veracruz has been described as having one of the richest varieties of wildlife in the western hemisphere. There is an especially diverse array of endemic insects like the conspicuous ''[[Arsenura armida]]''. As well as insects, the state is known for its many arachnids, and features over 25 species of [[tarantula]] (Theraphosidae), of which many are endemic. The state is part of [[Birdlife International]]'s Endemic Bird Area(EBA) project due to the number of endemic birds here. Some of these include green-cheeked amazon (''[[Amazona viridigenalis]]''), Tamaulipas crow (''[[Corvus imparatus]]''), Altamira yellowthroat (''[[Geothlypis flavovelata]]'') and crimson-collared grosbeak (''[[Rhodothraupis celaeno]]''). Despite much of the deterioration of the forest areas, it is still an important stopover for migratory birds as well. Many endangered mammal species can be found here including two endemic rodents (''[[Peromyscus ochraventer]]'' and ''[[Neotoma angustapalata]]''), the [[jaguar]] (''Panthera onca''), [[ocelot]] (''Leopardus pardalis''), [[jaguarundi]] (''Herpailurus yaguarondi'') and [[white-nosed coati]] (''Nasua narica'').<ref name="WWF"/> The endangered [[Baird's tapir]] may occasionally be spotted in the state's southern jungle regions, such as [[Biósfera Los Tuxtlas]]. This region is also the northernmost extent of the primate ''Alouatta palliata'', or [[mantled howler]].

Most of Veracruz's native forests have been destroyed and replaced by scrub and secondary communities of trees. From 1900 to 1987, over {{convert|18553|km2|mi2|abbr=on|1}} of forest had been logged, resulting in the loss of habitat and biodiversity. Much of the logging is due to commercial timber, search for tropical hardwoods and the clearing of land for local farmers, especially for cattle grazing. Only 20% of Veracruz's original ecosystem remains, with 64% transformed by human exploitation. Despite some efforts at conservation and reclamation, exploitation continues to put pressure on remaining wild areas.<ref name="WWF"/>

The state has 31 environmentally protected areas in 21 different municipalities. Nine are urban parks, three are national parks ([[Pico de Orizaba National Park|Pico de Orizaba]], [[Cofre de Perote National Park|Cofre de Perote]] and [[San José de los Molinos National Park|San José de los Molinos]]).<ref name="mediofisico"/> The Cofre de Perote National Park is 11,700 hectares of pine and [[oyamel]] forest, which was created in 1937. The [[Los Tuxtlas]] Biosphere Reserve covers the municipalities of [[Ángel R. Cabada (municipality)|Ángel R. Cabada]], [[Santiago Tuxtla]], [[San Andres Tuxtla]], [[Catemaco]], [[Soteapan]], [[Mecayapan]], [[Pajapan]] and [[Tatahuicapan]] for a total of {{convert|155122|ha|acre|abbr=on|1}}. It contains various volcanos such as San Martín and Santa Marta and rich biodiversity as it stretches from sea level to higher elevations, with 16 climate regions groups into four climate types. Forest types range from evergreen tropical rainforest to pine. 75% of species here are also found in [[Central America]] and there is a total of 2,368 plant species. Some, such as ''[[Costus dirzoi]], [[Daphnopsis megacarpa]], [[Eugenia sotoesparzae]], [[Inga sinacae]], [[Miconia ibarrae]], [[Mormodes tuxtlensis]]'', and ''[[Thelypteris rachyflexuosa]]'', are native only to this area. Wildlife includes 102 mammal species, 49 amphibian, 109 reptilian, 561 bird species and more. Species in danger of extinction include the jaguar, [[spider monkey]] and [[anteater]].<ref name="mediofisico"/>

[[Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano National Marine Park|The Veracruz Reef System]] is also considered to be a national park and is mostly off the coast of Veracruz city, [[Boca del Río, Veracruz|Boca del Río]] and [[Alvarado, Veracruz|Alvarado]]. The area includes coral reefs, seaweed beds and other marine vegetation, covering an area of {{convert|52239|ha|acre|abbr=on|1}}. There are seventeen reefs in total, some of which jut above the surface to form small islands. This system links with the reef systems of [[Campeche]] and [[Yucatán (state)|Yucatán]].<ref name="mediofisico"/>