Boca del Río, Veracruz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Boca del Río
City and municipality
Top: Panoramic view of Boca del Río; Middle: Amura Tower, Plaza Banderas; Bottom: Sol Mall, Caracol Beach
Coat of arms
Boca del Río Location in Veracruz Show map of Veracruz Boca del Río Location in Mexico Show map of Mexico
Country	Mexico
State	Veracruz
Region	Sotavento Region
Founded	1520s
Area
• Municipality	42.77 km2 (16.51 sq mi)
Elevation (of seat)	16 m (52 ft)
Population  (2020)
• Municipality	144,550
• Seat	10,012
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (US Central))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (Central)
Postal code (of seat)	94290
Climate	Aw
Website	Municipal Official Site: http://www.bocadelrio.gob.mx

Boca del Río is a lively city and municipality in the Mexican state of Veracruz. The city of Boca del Río is the main town of the municipality. It is located just south of the famous city and port of Veracruz. Boca del Río is known for its modern hotels, fancy restaurants, and as a hub for business travelers.

This city has two interesting museums. One is dedicated to the famous musician Agustín Lara. The other is a military ship that has been turned into a museum. A major landmark here is the World Trade Center Veracruz. It hosts many important business meetings and events.

History of Boca del Río

The name "Boca del Río" comes from Spanish. It means "mouth of the river." This refers to where the Jamapa River flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Long ago, the area was called Tlapaquitan. This name means "divided land."

Ancient Times and Spanish Arrival

From 1000 to 1200 BCE, the Olmec people lived in this area. Later, in 1474, the Aztecs took control. The area is even mentioned in an old Aztec book called the Codex Mendoza.

In 1518, a Spanish explorer named Juan de Grijalva arrived. He saw local people using flags to talk across the river. Because of this, he named the river "Río de las Banderas" (River of Flags). In the same year, the first Christian church services were held here.

Growth and Modern Challenges

Boca del Río officially became a city in 1988. Like many growing places, it has faced some challenges. One challenge has been pollution, especially on its beaches. People have worried about the water quality.

To help, the city started a program in 2008. They partnered with a company and a government agency. This program helps recycle used car fluids. It stops these harmful liquids from polluting the environment.

Exploring the City of Boca del Río

View of central Boca del Rio from the "Puente de Amistad" (Friendship Bridge)

Panoramic view of Boca del Rio

Boca del Río is part of the larger Veracruz metropolitan area. Its port works closely with the main port of Veracruz. Many modern hotels and restaurants are found here. They are often centered around the World Trade Center Veracruz.

The main church in the city is the Parish of Santa Ana. It was built way back in 1776. Nearby, you can see the colonial-style municipal palace. The Plaza Civica is a public square in front of the palace. It has a special fountain called the Nahuatl Fountain. The main dock is known as Muella Banderas.

Agustín Lara House Museum

The Agustín Lara House Museum is also called "La Casita Blanca" (The Little White House). It shows off items from the famous poet and musician Agustín Lara. He was known as "El Flaco de Oro" (The Golden Skinny One). You can see his works, photos, and personal belongings. There are also old news clips and a copy of his radio studio. Lara was a very popular songwriter and singer in Mexico. He even wrote a famous song for his wife, the movie star María Félix.

Buque Cañonero Guanajuato Ship Museum

The Buque Cañonero (Cannon Ship) Guanajuato is a unique ship museum. When this ship was no longer used, it was turned into a museum. It is now one of the most important naval museums in Latin America. Inside, you can explore different rooms. These include an arms room, a telecommunications room, and even bunks where sailors slept. There's also a cool naval warfare simulation room.

Festivals and Events

Boca del Río hosts two big festivals in the summer. They are known as the Fiestas del Boca del Río. Events happen all over the city.

Bocafest

Bocafest takes place every June. Many musical artists perform at different venues. You can hear everything from traditional Mexican folk music to electronic music.

Feast of Saint Ann

The Feast of Saint Ann is the city's main traditional festival. It runs from July 24 to 31. During this time, there are many cultural and religious events.

Expo Regional Ylang Ylang

The Expo Regional Ylang Ylang happens from late May to early June. This expo shows off local farm products, crafts, and industrial goods. You can also see traditional Mexican events like rodeos. Local crafts include jewelry made from seashells and items from the ocean.

Veracruz Carnival Parade

The annual Veracruz carnival parade is a huge event. It goes along the boardwalk connecting Boca del Río and Veracruz. This parade is a major highlight of the carnival. It features many dance groups, bands, and colorful floats. Boca del Río is even in the Guinness Book of World Records. It holds the record for preparing the world's largest seafood-filled fish!

The Municipality of Boca del Río

View of the entrance to the WTC Veracruz (right)

The biggest attraction in the municipality is the World Trade Center Veracruz. It's a key place for business travelers. This center is part of the World Trade Center Association. It has a huge space for events, with elevators and easy access for everyone. It hosts business meetings, conferences, and cultural events.

The World Trade Center Veracruz also has its own art gallery. It's called the Galería Veracruzana de Arte. This gallery shows temporary art exhibits from different artists. Plus, the center has an ice-skating rink, which is very popular in Mexico!

Boca del Río Municipal Hall

The city of Boca del Río is the main town for the municipality. The municipality covers about 42.77 square kilometers. Most of the people in the municipality live in the part that is considered part of Veracruz city.

The municipality is located in the central part of the state. It's part of the plains known as the Llanuras del Sotavento. The main river is the Jamapa. It flows into the Gulf of Mexico here. At the river's mouth, you can find mangroves. You can even take boat tours to see them and the nearby Moreno Arroyo.

The climate here is hot and humid. Most of the rain falls between June and October. The area is mostly covered by green tropical forests. You can find trees like sapodilla and mahogany. Small animals like armadillos, squirrels, and foxes live here. The area also has oil and natural gas deposits.

Farmers in the municipality grow corn and beans. They also raise dairy and beef cattle, pigs, and chickens. A small part of the population works in farming. Many people work in industries like citrus packing and making concrete products. Most people in Boca del Río work in commerce and tourism. Tourism is especially focused on business and professional conferences, thanks to the World Trade Center.

Isla de Sacrificios

Isla de Sacrificios

Off the coast of Boca del Río is an island called Isla de Sacrificios. It's about 450 meters long and 198 meters wide. This island is part of the Veracruz Reef System, which is a national park. You can kayak to the island to see seagulls, pelicans, and fish in the coral reef. The island is now mostly used for research and teaching. It also has a lighthouse that guides ships into the ports.

Sister Cities

Boca del Río has special connections with other cities around the world. These are called "sister cities."

• Tampa, Florida, USA
• West Valley City, Utah, USA
• Tacoma, Washington, USA

Consulates

• Sweden

Towns and Villages

Here are the main towns and villages in the Boca del Río municipality:

Images for kids

• 

  Monument to the Papantla Flyers

See also

In Spanish: Boca del Río (México) para niños