Cumaná
Encyclopedia
Cumaná is the capital of Venezuela
's Sucre State. It is located 402 km east of Caracas
. It was the first settlement founded by Europe
ans in the mainland America
, in 1501 by Franciscan friar
s, but due to successful attacks by the indigenous people, it had to be refounded several times. For example, in 1521 by a group of Spaniards under the command of Gonzalo de Ocampo re-established it, and again in 1569 Diego Hernández de Serpa
had to rebuild it. After Amerindian attacks became less of a threat, the city was on several occasions destroyed by earthquakes. Thus the oldest part of the city is late 17th and 18th century; almost none of the 16th century architecture survived.
The city, located at the mouth of the Manzanares River on the Caribbean
coast in the NE of Venezuela, is home to one of five campuses of the Universidad de Oriente
and a busy maritime port, home of one of the largest tuna
fleets in Venezuela. The city is close to the Mochima National Park
which boasts some of Venezuela's finest beaches.
It is also the birthplace of Antonio José de Sucre
, one of the paramount leaders of the South American war of independence; and Andrés Eloy Blanco
, one of the most important Venezuelan poets.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
's Sucre State. It is located 402 km east of Caracas
Caracas
Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
. It was the first settlement founded by Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
ans in the mainland America
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
, in 1501 by Franciscan friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
s, but due to successful attacks by the indigenous people, it had to be refounded several times. For example, in 1521 by a group of Spaniards under the command of Gonzalo de Ocampo re-established it, and again in 1569 Diego Hernández de Serpa
Diego Hernández de Serpa
Diego Hernández de Serpa was a Spanish conquistador who, under the patronage of Philip II of Spain, helped conquer and colonize the Spanish colony of New Andalusia.- Biography :...
had to rebuild it. After Amerindian attacks became less of a threat, the city was on several occasions destroyed by earthquakes. Thus the oldest part of the city is late 17th and 18th century; almost none of the 16th century architecture survived.
The city, located at the mouth of the Manzanares River on the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
coast in the NE of Venezuela, is home to one of five campuses of the Universidad de Oriente
Universidad de Oriente
The University of Oriente Venezuela is a university located in Eastern Venezuela.The university has 5 campuses located in the states of Sucre, Anzoátegui, Monagas, Bolívar, and Nueva Esparta....
and a busy maritime port, home of one of the largest tuna
Tuna
Tuna is a salt water fish from the family Scombridae, mostly in the genus Thunnus. Tuna are fast swimmers, and some species are capable of speeds of . Unlike most fish, which have white flesh, the muscle tissue of tuna ranges from pink to dark red. The red coloration derives from myoglobin, an...
fleets in Venezuela. The city is close to the Mochima National Park
Mochima National Park
Mochima National Park is located in the States of Anzoátegui and Sucre , on the northeastern coast of Venezuela. The park covers 94,935 hectares and is made up of an exclusively marine area in its western sector , a coastal marine area that includes the Gulf of Santa Fé and Mochima Bay, and a...
which boasts some of Venezuela's finest beaches.
It is also the birthplace of Antonio José de Sucre
Antonio José de Sucre
Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá , known as the "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho" , was a Venezuelan independence leader. Sucre was one of Simón Bolívar's closest friends, generals and statesmen.-Ancestry:...
, one of the paramount leaders of the South American war of independence; and Andrés Eloy Blanco
Andrés Eloy Blanco
Andrés Eloy Blanco Meaño was an important Venezuelan poet, politician, member of the Generación del 28, and one of the founders of Acción Democrática ....
, one of the most important Venezuelan poets.
Attractions
The city features a wide variety of colonial style architecture that is still in excellent condition. A large old Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia (Castle of Saint Anthony of the Eminence) can be seen from the beach, which is still open to the public. Also surviving is the Castillo de Santa Maria de la Cabeza, which was built in 1669. The Museo del Mar displays marine and maritime artifacts.Notable people born in Cumaná
- Antonio José de SucreAntonio José de SucreAntonio José de Sucre y Alcalá , known as the "Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho" , was a Venezuelan independence leader. Sucre was one of Simón Bolívar's closest friends, generals and statesmen.-Ancestry:...
(1795–1830) – South American independence leader. - José Antonio Ramos SucreJosé Antonio Ramos SucreJosé Antonio Ramos Sucre was a Venezuelan poet, professor, consul and erudite. He is a member of the Sucre family of Venezuela and the great-great-nephew of Antonio José de Sucre...
(1890–1930) Poet and diplomat. - Andrés Eloy BlancoAndrés Eloy BlancoAndrés Eloy Blanco Meaño was an important Venezuelan poet, politician, member of the Generación del 28, and one of the founders of Acción Democrática ....
(1897–1955) poet, humorist and politician. - Brigadier General, D. Juan Francisco Echeto (b. 1799) – Venezuelan patriot who fought for independence at the battles of Tacarigua, Santa Lucía, Sabana Redonda, Bailadores, and Lago de Maracaibo.
- Iñaki AnasagastiIñaki AnasagastiIñaki Anasagasti is a Venezuelan Spanish politician, belonging to the Basque Nationalist Party.-Biography:Anasagasti was born to exiled Spanish parents in Cumaná, Venezuela. His father was a Basque nationalist and a member of the Basque Nationalist Party , who had fled the country after the...
(b. 1947) Spanish politician, member of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV) - Francisco Sánchez (b. 1976) butterfly and freestyle swimmer
- Vanessa PerettiVanessa PerettiVanessa Jackeline Gómez Peretti is a model and Miss Venezuela International 2006. She is tall....
(b. 1986) first deaf and mute to take part in the Miss VenezuelaMiss VenezuelaThe Miss Venezuela contest is the national beauty pageant of Venezuela and has been held since 1952. It is responsible for selecting the country's representatives to the Miss Universe, Miss World, Miss Earth and Miss International pageants .Under the direction of Osmel Sousa, Venezuela has...
pageant - Rafael BetancourtRafael BetancourtRafael Jose Betancourt is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. He was originally signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox in September 1999. The Red Sox released him following the 1999 season and then re-signed him as a free agent in December...
(b. 1975) relief pitcher for Colorado Rockies - Armando GalarragaArmando GalarragaArmando Antonio Galarraga is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007...
(b. 1982) starting pitcher for Detroit Tigers, most noble for losing a perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
on a disputed call (See Armando Galarraga's near-perfect gameArmando Galarraga's near-perfect gameIn an American League baseball game played on June 2, 2010 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga nearly became the 21st pitcher in Major League history to throw a perfect game...
) - Luis MazaLuis MazaLuis Alberto Maza is an infielder in Major League Baseball, who is currently playing for Bbc Grosseto in the Italian Baseball League. Listed at 5'9", 180 lb., he bats and throws right-handed...
(b. 1980) shortstop for Los Angeles Dodgers - César JiménezCésar JiménezCésar Enrique Jiménez is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners. Jiménez bats and throws left-handed.-Seattle Mariners:...
(b. 1984) left-handed relief pitcher for Seattle Mariners