Valencia, Carabobo
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| City motto:
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| City nickname: Capital industrial de Venezuela (English: Industrial capital of Venezuela) |
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 Location of Valencia |
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| Mayor | Francisco Cabrera Santos (2004 – 2008) | |||||
| Population –Total (2001) –Density |
Metropolitan area 1,400,000 xxx - km² |
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| Time zone | UTC –4 | |||||
| Latitude Longitude |
10º 10´11" N 68º.59´12" W |
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| Official website: Alcaldía De Valencia | ||||||
Valencia is the capital city of Carabobo State, and the third largest city of Venezuela.
The city is an economic hub that contains Venezuela's top industries and manufacturing companies. The population of Valencia reached some 1.2 million in the year 2003, and it is expected to grow dramatically in the years to come. Greater Valencia unofficially incorporates the communities of Naguanagua, San Diego, and other smaller bordering cities. Valencia is known for its racial and international diversity, and it is a relatively progressive city. It is greatly underrated, partially due to its proximity to Caracas (some 180 km away).
The elevation of the city is 520 meters (1,700 ft). Valencia is located in a valley, surrounded by a mountain range called the Coastal Range (Cordillera de la Costa). On the eastern outskirts of the city lies Lake Valencia, Venezuela's second largest lake.
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[edit] History
The city has been an active participant of Venezuela's history. Valencia was founded by Captain Alonso Díaz Moreno on March 25, 1555 — as the locals are proud of reminding visitors, eight years before Caracas. It was the first Spanish settlement in central Venezuela and its official name was Nuestra Señora de la Asunción de Nueva Valencia del Rey. The infamous conquistador Lope de Aguirre besieged the city in 1561. In 1677 it was raided by French pirates, who burnt down its City Hall, thus destroying many very important documents about the early settlement of Venezuela. The German scientist Alexander von Humboldt visited the city on his trip through the Americas. He reported that at the time of his visit the city had around 6000 to 7000 inhabitants. On June 24, 1821 the battle of Carabobo was fought on the outskirts of the city, sealing the independence of Venezuela from imperial Spanish rule.
[edit] Sightseeing:
- Art:
- Ateneo de Valencia
- Teatro Municipal de Valencia
[edit] Museums
- Casa Páez
- Casa de los Celis, settlement of the Museum of Art and History and the Lisandro Alvarado Foundation.
- Museum of History and Anthropology
- Iturriza Palace, or Quinta Isabela.
[edit] Parks and points of interest
- Negra Hipólita Park
- Fernando Peñalver Park
- Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano)
- Valencia Aquarium (Acuario de Valencia) (ranks as largest aquarium in Latin America.)
- Plaza Monumental de Valencia, second largest bullring in the world.
[edit] Transportation
The city is well connected with the rest of the country by a network of highways and roads well maintained by INVIAL. A modern metro system is being constructed that will connect the city's remote suburbs with the downtown area.
The airport, Arturo Michelena International Airport (SVVA), is the nation's third busiest. It is served by all major Venezuelan airlines and, effective April 2007, American Airlines.
