VERA CRUZ, ve-ra krooz (Sp., vairl krooth), or VERACRUZ, Mexico, a state bounded by Tamaulipas on the north, by the Gulf of Mexico on the east, by Oaxaca on the south, and by San Luis Potosi, Hidalgo and Puebla on the west. The area is about 30,000 square miles, and it is mostly a mountainous region, with a narrow border of hot and un healthy coast below the Sierra Madre range, which occupies its central and western por tions and rises to a height of more than 12, 000 feet above sea-level. At elevations of more than 3,000 feet, the climate is comparatively healthful and temperate, and the vegetable prod ucts in their variety correspond to the various conditions of temperature and humidity. Thus, cereals are grown in the state, as well as sugar cane, cotton, tobacco, cacao, coffee and vamlla; and stock raising is carried on successfully. The natural pasturage lands in the Huasteca Potosina region are specially fine, and Vera Cruz shares them with Tamaluipas and Sail Luis Potosi. Mineral products are silver, gold,
coal, copper, lead, iron, mercury, asphalt, marble, petroleum, and the precious stones, opals, amethysts, etc. But the importance of the state rests mainly upon its commercial relations with other sections of the republic, with the West Indies and South and Central America, and with the western European nations. The total annual value of imports and exports and of domestic trade is estimated at $100,000,000, tnany of the articles that Mexico sends to for eign countries or receives from them passing through the open ports mentioned above. A list of the industrial establishments includes iron foundries, cotton, paper , woolen and saw mills, and manufactories of chocolate, wax matches, etc. The capital city is Jalapa (q.v.). Pop. about 1,250,000.