The oldest city on the Gulf of México and the Republic's largest port, Veracruz is on the Eastern Coast of México. The Northern section  state is consider part of the "Huesteca" region and has a different musical and dance tradition than the south.  The people living near the port city of Veracruz are call Jarochos, their music and dance are called "Sones Jarochos".Their music is comprised of a mixture of Spanish music influenced by African and Caribbean rhythms. This lively and contagious music is played on a harp, jarana (small guitar), and requinto (small rhythm guitar). Its dances are made up of diverse steps or "zapateados" with flamenco characteristics. The first city in the New World, Veracruz was once Mexico's most important gateway.