Miranda (state)

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Miranda State
Estado Miranda
State

Flag
Coat of arms
Anthem: Miranda State Anthem
Location within Venezuela
Coordinates: 10°17′N 66°20′W / 10.28°N 66.33°W / 10.28; -66.33Coordinates: 10°17′N 66°20′W / 10.28°N 66.33°W / 10.28; -66.33
Country  Venezuela
Created 1909
Capital Los Teques
Government
 • Governor Henrique Capriles Radonski (2012–2016)
Area
 • Total 7,950 km2 (3,070 sq mi)
Area rank 17th
  0.87% of Venezuela
Population (2011)
 • Total 2,675,165
 • Rank 2nd
 • Density 340/km2 (870/sq mi)
  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 (Spanish: Estado Miranda, IPA: [esˈtaðo miˈɾanda]) is one of the 23 states (estados) of Venezuela and the second most populous after Zulia State. As of June 30, 2010, it has 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 an important center for political, economic, cultural and commercial activities. The state relies on a government of 21 municipal mayor-ships and one governor.

Miranda State covers a total surface area of 7,955 km².

History

Principal church of Los Teques, 1900s
Aerial view of Altamira neighborhood in Chacao Municipality
The town of Petare at the beginning of the 20th century

Miranda State was named on June 5, 1899, 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, they used the coastal zone for the cultivation of cocoa, and settled with their families in the Altos Mirandinos, Guarenas, and the Caracas east. The Spanish conquerors brought along African slaves for use as agricultural laborers.

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 Bolivar. Caracas (the Province) was renamed because the city of Caracas ceased to be part of the province and became part of the Federal District. In 1868, with the triumph of the Revolución Azul (Blue Revolution), led by José Tadeo Monagas, three more departments were added to the province. In 1881, the provinces of Bolívar and Margarita Island were merged into the Guzmán Blanco state This reorganization was part of a larger restructuring of Venezuela into 9 states that took place in 1881.

In December 1889, the entity that formed Bolívar was renamed to Miranda, while retaining its capital's name of Bolivia. Three years later, its name was changed to the Great State of Miranda. On August 5, 1909, with the promulgation of a new constitution, the existence of 20 states, a Federal District, two federal territories and federal dependencies were introduced. Miranda took on its current borders at this time. The capital was Ocumare del Tuy, until February 13, 1927 when it was moved to Los Teques.

Law and government

  • State government: The constitution of Venezuela specifies that the state government is divided into executive and legislative branches. The executive government is directed by the governor, while the legislative government is managed by the Legislative Council. The Governor of Miranda is the head of the executive power of the state. According to Article 160 of the Constitution of Venezuela, the governor must be Venezuelan, older than twenty-five years, must not be a member of the clergy, is chosen by a four year term by simple majority, and can be reelected. The current governor is Henrique Capriles Radonski.
  • Municipal government: The constitution of Venezuela specifies that municipal governments be divided into executive and legislative branches. The executive government of the municipality is governed by the mayor, while the legislative government is managed by the Municipal council. Miranda comprises 21 municipalities (municipios).

Administrative divisions

Municipalities and municipal seats

Municipalities in Miranda
Dawn at Puerto Encantado, Higuerote.
La Llovizna Falls, Guatire

Miranda state is sub-divided into 21 municipalities, given below with their areas, populations and administrative seats:

Municipality Area
(km2) 		Population
(Census 2001) 		Seat
1. Acevedo 1,879 70,282 Caucagua
2. Andrés Bello 114 20,119 San José de Barlovento
3. Baruta 86 260,853 Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Baruta
4. Brión 531 45,346 Higuerote
5. Buroz 198 20,009 Mamporal
6. Carrizal 32 41,103 Carrizal
7. Chacao 13 64,629 Chacao
8. Cristóbal Rojas 120 77,257 Charallave
9. El Hatillo 81 54,225 El Hatillo
10. Guaicaipuro 661 222,768 Los Teques
11. Independencia 284 126,999 Santa Teresa del Tuy
12. Lander 478 108,970 Ocumare del Tuy
13. Los Salias 51 60,723 San Antonio de los Altos
14. Páez 963 30,812 Río Chico
15. Paz Castillo 408 83,976 Santa Lucía
16. Pedro Gual 925 17,928 Cúpira
17. Plaza 180 188,135 Guarenas
18. Simón Bolívar 131 31,944 San Francisco de Yare
19. Sucre 164 546,766 Petare
20. Urdaneta 273 105,606 Cúa
21. Zamora 378 152,422 Guatire

Other important towns

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Miranda (state).

External links

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