Note to moderator: Read the answerline carefully. A culture named for this region created stelae with snakes sprouting from decapitated heads at Aparicio, near its site of Higueras. That “classic” culture named for this region created unique palmas stones used atop stone “yokes” in one activity. A culture named for this region created a pyramid with 365 niches at El Tajín (“ta-HEEN”). The largest group of Mayan speakers outside of the Mayan heartland, the Huastecs, live in this region. The Totonac capital of Papantla in this region became the world center of vanilla production. San Juan de Ulúa Fort defended this state’s namesake city, where Hernan Cortes first met emissaries of Moctezuma II and scuttled his ships. For 10 points, what state’s namesake capital was the site of a US occupation in 1914 and the start of Winfield Scott’s campaign to Mexico City, as Mexico’s largest port on the Gulf? ■END■
ANSWER: Veracruz [accept Classic Veracruz culture; accept Gulf Coast of Mexico or Gulf Coast Classic culture until “state” is read]
<DM, World History>
= Average correct buzz position