Veracruz's natural resources are numerous: hydrocarbons (it holds about half of the nation's oil reserves), forests (including rainforests), and water (with more than 40 rivers and tributaries).
Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave (official name) is located in the east-central part of the Mexican Republic. It has a total of 210 municipalities, and its capital is Xalapa Enriquez.
Its bordering areas are Tamaulipas to the north, the Gulf of Mexico to the east, Tabasco and Chiapas to the southeast, Oaxaca to the southwest, and Puebla, Hidalgo, and San Luis Potosí to the west.
Veracruz is crescent-shaped and is known for its extremely diverse topography.
It includes coastal plains and towering mountains. In fact, the state's highest peak is also the highest in Mexico: Pico de Orizaba.
The 7 most important natural resources of Veracruz
1- Oil and gas resources
Oil is among Veracruz's main natural resources. This state has almost half of Mexico's oil reserves.
They are located onshore and offshore. Their refineries process 80% of the Aztec nation's petrochemicals.
On the other hand, the state also has large deposits of natural gas.
2- Forest resources
One of Veracruz's most significant natural resources is its forests, notable among which are the evergreen tropical forests.
Unfortunately, many forest areas have been destroyed due to industry. However, there are over thirty protected areas where native botanical species can thrive.
The most common species are cedar, mahogany, and ceiba. Palm trees and mangroves are also found in coastal regions.
3- Water resources
This entity is rich in river resources. There are more than 40 rivers and tributaries that provide water for irrigation and hydroelectric power. These rivers flow from the mountains to the valleys, toward the Gulf of Mexico.
Some of the most important are Actopan, Pánuco, Canzones, Jamapa, Tuxpan, Acuatempan, Tecolutla, Papaloapan, Blanco, Nautla, Coatzacoalcos, Tonalá, and the Antigua River. Many of these are essential to state-owned commerce and industry.
4- Mineral resources
The mineral reserves of this entity are especially non-metallic. They include silica sand, marble, quartz, limestone sand, opal, sulfur, kaolin, tin, iron, and amethyst quartz.
Metallic (gold, silver, lead and zinc) are found mainly in the Tuxtlas region.
5- Floors
Veracruz's soils are very fertile; therefore, its agricultural potential is immense. The main agricultural products are corn and beans, but coffee, vanilla, sugarcane, tobacco, bananas, coconuts, and various types of vegetables are also grown.
Similarly, Veracruz is known as one of the largest livestock producers in the country. Pigs, goats, and sheep are also raised.
6- Fishing resources
This region is abundant in fisheries resources, such as tuna, sawfish, oysters, clams, soft clams, shrimp, sea bass and tarpon.
7- Fauna and flora
Veracruz is home to many wild animals, including wild boars, coyotes, ocelots, spider monkeys, and pumas, which live in various parts of the state.
There are also birds such as toucans, owls, and woodpeckers. Iguanas and manatees live in coastal regions. Finally, the Tuxtlas region is home to crocodiles.
As for flora, the vanilla pods stand out, harvested from an orchid-like plant called tlixochitl, in the city of Papantla.
References
- Veracruz (October 23, 2014). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 22, 2017, from britannica.com
- Veracruz (s/f). On Go Gringo. Retrieved September 22, 2017, degogringo.com
- Veracruz (s/f). In Nations Encyclopedia. Retrieved September 22, 2017, from Nationsencyclopedia.com
- Veracruz (s/f). In Encyclopedia of Municipalities and Delegations of Mexico. Retrieved September 22, 2017, from século.inafed.gob.mx
- García, J.J. (2016, February 17). In Veracruz, 48% of the country's oil and gas reserves. In Quadratín Veracruz. Retrieved September 22, 2017, from veracruz.quadratin.com.mx