San Cristóbal, Táchira
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San Cristóbal (1990 pop. 220,675), is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Táchira it is located in a mountainous region of Western Venezuela. The city is situated 800 m/2,625 ft above sea level in the northern Andes overlooking the Torbes River, 56 km/35 mi from the Colombian border. San Cristóbal was founded in 1561 by Juan de Maldonado. From its inception, the city evolved rapidly as one of the most progressive and important centers of commerce in the country, due primarily to its rich soil and its proximity to the border with Colombia.
The city was severely damaged by the Earthquake of Cúcuta (also known as Earthquake of the Andes) in 1875.
The city is located on the Pan-American Highway.
[edit] Industry
As throughout the Andean states, the people of Táchira are characterized as hardworking, cordial, conservative, and devoted to their historical, religious, and folkloric traditions. The primary industries here are centered around agriculture, mainly the production of coffee, sugar, and vegetables. Other important industrial sectors which have helped fuel the economic engines of the region include meat production (cattle), manufacturing industries like shoe, basket, and ceramics production. A fact that perhaps is not widely known is that it was in Táchira, and not in Zulia, that the first oil wells were excavated in 1875-- a procedure done in those days by hand and with buckets. It is a commercial, transportation, and industrial center. Textiles, leather products, cement, and tobacco are produced, and coffee, sugar, pineapples, and corn are exported.
[edit] Architecture
San Cristóbal's architecture is rich and varied. The wedding cake and modernist architectural styles are particularly evident in the facades of the Universidad Abierta Nacional and La Casa Antigua, a Spanish style building with various ornaments and sculptures. Another example is La Entrada Central, the only facade that's left from the old Hospital Vargas. Among the most notable churches are La Iglesia El Angel, the Gothic styled church San José, and the Iglesia El Santuario.
[edit] Attractions & Surroundings
Like some of its sister cities and towns in the Andes, San Cristóbal is blessed with beautiful surroundings and a unique natural setting. The picturesque scenery, the majesty of the mountains, the slow pace of life, and the welcoming nature of its people all combine to make this region one of the most important touristic attractions in Venezuela.
One of the most celebrated festivities which attracts visitors from all over is La Feria Internacional de San Sebastián held annually at Pueblo Nuevo next to Tachira state football club's grounds. This fair, which occurs at the end of January, combines bullfighting festivities with a myriad of sport activities such as the "Vuelta al Táchira", a bicycle race, artistic festivals, agricultural fairs, and many other spectacles. Nearby small businesses, in particular eateries, restaurants and small independent retailers thrive of the activities in Pueblo nuevo.
Places to visit in and around San Cristóbal include the enchanting colonial town of San Pedro del Río. During Christmas the town is full of decorations and mangers of every shape and size. Near the border with Colombia is the town of San Antonio de Táchira, with its lively commercial beat. Other interesting towns are Palmira and Abejales, above the town of Tariba, famous for their sugar cane baskets, and the town of El Topón, a typical agricultural town.
The Niños Cantores Del Táchira, a popular children's choir, is based in San Cristóbal.
Plaza de los Mangos, in Barrio Obrero, is a popular youth hangout close to San Cristobal's city centre. A leafy square home to music shops, imported clothing retailers, Mini malls, nightclubs, eateries, ice-cream parlours, pool halls and small music venues, Plaza de los Mangos has become a busy hub for youth life. On a small off-shoot road on the Plaza's north-eastern corner a small Virgin Mary figure is housed under a protruding old tree branch, a branch once used for public hangings, the date of the last hanging varies with who you ask.
