| Miranda State Estado Miranda |
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| — State — | |||
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| Anthem: Miranda State Anthem | |||
| Location within Venezuela | |||
| Country | Venezuela | ||
| Created | 1909 | ||
| Capital | Los Teques | ||
| Government | |||
| • Governor | Henrique Capriles Radonski (2008–2012) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 7,950 km2 (3,069.5 sq mi) | ||
| Area rank | 17th | ||
| 0.87% of Venezuela | |||
| Population (June 30, 2010) | |||
| • Total | 2,987,968 | ||
| • Rank | 2nd | ||
| 10.36% of Venezuela | |||
| Time zone | UTC-04:30 | ||
| ISO 3166 code | VE-M | ||
| Emblematic tree | Roso blanco (Brownea leucantha) | ||
| Website | www.miranda.gob.ve | ||
Miranda State (Spanish: Estado Miranda, IPA: [esˈtaðo miˈɾanda]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. It is ranked second in population among Venezuelan states, after Zulia State. In June 30, 2010, it had approximately 2,987,968 residents. It also has the greatest Human Development Index in Venezuela, according to the Venezuelan National Institute of Statistics. Miranda is also important center for political, economic, cultural and commercial activities. The state relies on a government of 21 municipal mayorships and one governor.
Miranda State covers a total surface area of 7,950 km².
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Miranda State was named on December 23, 1889, in honor of Generalissimo Francisco de Miranda, one of the precursors—known collectively as Libertadores—of the independence of the Americas. The region was formerly known as Guzmán Blanco state. It was inhabited initially by indigenous tribes: Los Teques, Los Caracas, Los Mariches, Los Guarenas and Los Quiriquires. When spanish conquerors arrived, started to use the coast zone, for the cultivation of cocoa, settling their families in the Altos Mirandinos, Guarenas and the Caracas east. To work in agriculture, African slaves were brought.
During the colonial period, the territory was part of the jurisdiction of Borburata. For almost half of the 19th century, it was part of the province of Caracas. In 1864, the province of Caracas was renamed Bolívar. Cause of this, was that the city of Caracas was not part of the province since that year, belonging to the Federal District. In 1868, with the triumph of the Revolución Azul (Blue Revolution), led by José Tadeo Monagas, was added to the province three more departments. In 1881 Venezuela was divided into nine states, the provinces of Bolívar and the Margarita island merged, conforming the Guzmán Blanco state.
In December 1889, the entity that conformed Bolívar, was renamed to Miranda, being its capital Bolivia. Three years later, the name is change to Great State of Miranda. On August 5, 1909, with the promulgation of a new constitution was introduced the existence of 20 states, Federal District, two federal territories and federal dependencies. Miranda started to be composed by its present territory. The capital was Ocumare del Tuy, until February 13, 1927 when was moved to Los Teques.
| Municipality | Seat | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Acevedo | Caucagua |
| 2. | Andrés Bello | San José de Barlovento |
| 3. | Baruta | Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Baruta |
| 4. | Brión | Higuerote |
| 5. | Buroz | Mamporal |
| 6. | Carrizal | Carrizal |
| 7. | Chacao | Chacao |
| 8. | Cristóbal Rojas | Charallave |
| 9. | El Hatillo | El Hatillo |
| 10. | Guaicaipuro | Los Teques |
| 11. | Independencia | Santa Teresa del Tuy |
| 12. | Lander | Ocumare del Tuy |
| 13. | Los Salias | San Antonio de los Altos |
| 14. | Páez | Río Chico |
| 15. | Paz Castillo | Santa Lucía |
| 16. | Pedro Gual | Cúpira |
| 17. | Plaza | Guarenas |
| 18. | Simón Bolívar | San Francisco de Yare |
| 19. | Sucre | Petare |
| 20. | Urdaneta | Cúa |
| 21. | Zamora | Guatire |
The Miranda State features a grotto in the area of Cúa (the "Betania sanctuary", after Bethany, Israel), established by Maria Esperanza de Bianchini after what is believed to have been a vision of Virgin Mary, followed by several other apparitions of which she was the one and only witness. These apparitions led her to find a certain parcel of property in Venezuela that had a grotto of Our Lady and running water and establish the place as a site of Catholic pilgrimage.
Many locals believe that a Eucharistic miracle occurred at this site on December 8, 1991 during a celebration of Mass. The Miraculous Host, which was declared authentic by Bishop Pio Bello Richardo, currently retired, today is housed at the Chapel at the residence of the local Bishop, or Prelate, in Los Teques. Despite the huge number of believers and pilgrims however, many people believe it all was and is an ingenious hoax.
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