Caracas, officially Santiago de Leon de Caracas, is the capital and largest city in the northern part of Venezuela. It has around 2.100.000 inhabitants. On 25 July 1567, Captain Diego de Losada laid the foundations of the city. Two of Latin America's most important figures of the Venezuelan War of Independence, Francisco de Miranda and "El Libertador" Simon Bolivar, are born in Caracas. Because of the oil in Venezuela, Caracas was 1 of South America's economic centres and a hub between South America and Europe. After 1950 Caracas modernised intensively. A new University building was built, a design by modernist architect Carlos Raul Villanueva. It's a UNESCO monument now. New residential districts, in the valley, were built for the working- and middle class. This fast growth had a down point, many people came to Caracas without a future plan and so creating the rancho (slums) area in the valley. Baruta, El Hatillo, Chacao, Libertador and Sucre are the five municipalities. Caracas has a pleasent climate, average annual temp is 23°C (74°F), the coldest month is January with a average temp of 21°C (70°F) and the hottest month is May with 25°C (77°F). Of course temperatures can rise higher. Night temperatures are almost always under 20°C (68°F), making the evenings and nights pleasant. Caracas has beautiful and historic buildings and squares and a lot of parks to visit. F.e. East Park and Plaza Bolivar, Plaza Venezuela, Plaza Venezuela Fountain, Plaza Caracas and Plaza San Jacinto. Caracas is Venezuela's cultural capital, with many restaurants, theaters, museums, and shopping centers. |
