Maracay
Encyclopedia
Maracay is a city in north-central Venezuela
, near the Caribbean coast, and is the capital and most important city of the state
of Aragua
. Most of it falls under the jurisdiction of the Girardot Municipality. The population as per the 2001 census was 750,000. In 2008, Maracay and its surroundings have an estimated population of 1,767,217.
Officially established on March 5, 1701 by Bishop Diego de Baños y Sotomayor in the valleys of Tocopio and Tapatapa (what is known today as the central valley of Aragua) in northern Venezuela. According to the most accepted explanation, it was named after a local indigenous chief, and refers to the "Maracayo" (Felis mitis), a small tiger. Alternative etymologies cite a local aromatic tree called Mara. Maracay experienced rapid growth during Juan Vicente Gómez
's dictatorship (1908 - 1935). Gómez saw Maracay as a suitable place to make his residence during his rule, and ordered the construction of an Arc of Triumph, a bull plaza (a near replica of the one in Seville
, Spain
), an Ópera house, a Zoo, and, most notably, the Hotel Jardín (Garden Hotel), a majestic, tourist attraction with very large gardens. The city is home to the Mausoleo de Gómez (Gómez's mausoleum), where the dictator's remains are stored.
, Maracay is primarily an industrial and commercial center, the city produces paper
, textile
s chemicals, tobacco, cement, cattle derived foods, such as milk or meat conserves, as well as soap and perfumes.
Even though it is an industrial center, the surroundings of Maracay live of an intensive agriculture, where sugarcane, tobacco, coffee and cocoa stand out as the main products. There are also cattle-herding and timber-cutting activities.
Activity by the Venezuelan Military also adds a great deal to Maracay's economy.
Maracay has good transportation facilities and infrastructure that effectively connects it to the rest of the country, it is linked to most other important localities by the Autopista Regional del Centro (Central Regional Highway), it also has good access to the only, small railway system in the country. The city boasts the national Hidroplane airport, located on the shore of the Lago de Valencia (Lake of Valencia). The city does not have a Subway system, but one is in the planning stages.
Maracay has two airports. The Airport Mariscal Sucre
(IATA MCY ICAO
SVBS) and the military Air Base El Libertador (IATA MYC ICAO
SVBL)
acquired by the Venezuelan Government.
Other military facilities include the Fourth Armored Division of the Army and the Venezuelan Paratroopers main base and training center.
It is also home to the government-owned ammunition and weapons factory (CAVIM) that produces the Venezuelan version of the FN FAL
(Fusil Automatique Leger - Light Automatic Rifle) rifle and will produce the newly acquired AK-103
s; as well as the ammunition for both models.
, named after the Swiss naturalist
that studied them. The park is a very lush rainforest
, with a great variety of fern
s. Two very winding roads cut through the park over the mountains to the coast. One, beginning at the North-Central part of the city known as Urbanización El Castaño, goes to the beach town of Choroní
. The other, beginning at the North-Western part at the city of El Limón, goes to Ocumare de la Costa and the beaches of Cata and Catica.
Maracay houses the Faculty of Veterinarians and Agronomy of the Universidad Central de Venezuela, and an extension of the Universidad de Carabobo
.
The main Campus of the UNEFA (a military university open to civilians) is located here. Career choices include, Electronics, Aeronautical and Civil Engineering, as well as other disciplines such as avionics.
The main museums are:
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...
, near the Caribbean coast, and is the capital and most important city of the state
States of Venezuela
Venezuela is divided into 23 states , 1 Capital District and the Federal Dependencies that consist of a large number of Venezuelan islands...
of Aragua
Aragua (state)
Aragua State is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. It has plains and jungles and Caribbean beaches. The most popular are Cata and Choroni...
. Most of it falls under the jurisdiction of the Girardot Municipality. The population as per the 2001 census was 750,000. In 2008, Maracay and its surroundings have an estimated population of 1,767,217.
History
Juan Vicente Gómez
Juan Vicente Gómez Chacón was a military general and de facto ruler of Venezuela from 1908 until his death in 1935. He was president on three occasions during this time, and ruled as an unelected military strongman for the rest of the era.-Early years:Gómez was a barely literate cattle herder and...
's dictatorship (1908 - 1935). Gómez saw Maracay as a suitable place to make his residence during his rule, and ordered the construction of an Arc of Triumph, a bull plaza (a near replica of the one in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
), an Ópera house, a Zoo, and, most notably, the Hotel Jardín (Garden Hotel), a majestic, tourist attraction with very large gardens. The city is home to the Mausoleo de Gómez (Gómez's mausoleum), where the dictator's remains are stored.
Economy and Transport
One of the most important cities in VenezuelaVenezuela
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...
, Maracay is primarily an industrial and commercial center, the city produces paper
Paper
Paper is a thin material mainly used for writing upon, printing upon, drawing or for packaging. It is produced by pressing together moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags or grasses, and drying them into flexible sheets....
, textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
s chemicals, tobacco, cement, cattle derived foods, such as milk or meat conserves, as well as soap and perfumes.
Even though it is an industrial center, the surroundings of Maracay live of an intensive agriculture, where sugarcane, tobacco, coffee and cocoa stand out as the main products. There are also cattle-herding and timber-cutting activities.
Activity by the Venezuelan Military also adds a great deal to Maracay's economy.
Maracay has good transportation facilities and infrastructure that effectively connects it to the rest of the country, it is linked to most other important localities by the Autopista Regional del Centro (Central Regional Highway), it also has good access to the only, small railway system in the country. The city boasts the national Hidroplane airport, located on the shore of the Lago de Valencia (Lake of Valencia). The city does not have a Subway system, but one is in the planning stages.
Maracay has two airports. The Airport Mariscal Sucre
Mariscal Sucre Airport (Venezuela)
Mariscal Sucre Airport is an airport near Maracay, Venezuela.-External links:...
(IATA MCY ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization airport code
The ICAO airport code or location indicator is a four-character alphanumeric code designating each airport around the world. These codes are defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization, and published in ICAO Document 7910: Location Indicators.The ICAO codes are used by air traffic...
SVBS) and the military Air Base El Libertador (IATA MYC ICAO
International Civil Aviation Organization airport code
The ICAO airport code or location indicator is a four-character alphanumeric code designating each airport around the world. These codes are defined by the International Civil Aviation Organization, and published in ICAO Document 7910: Location Indicators.The ICAO codes are used by air traffic...
SVBL)
Maracay and the Military
Maracay is a city heavily influenced by the military. Maracay is the cradle of Venezuelan aviation, and it is home to the two largest Air Force bases in the country. The Venezuelan F-16 fighter planes are stationed here, as well as the new Sukhoi-30MKEsSukhoi Su-30
The Sukhoi Su-30 is a twin-engine, two-seat military aircraft developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation Corporation. It is a multirole fighter for all-weather, air-to-air and air-to-surface deep interdiction missions.The Su-30 started out as an internal development project in the Sukhoi Su-27 family...
acquired by the Venezuelan Government.
Other military facilities include the Fourth Armored Division of the Army and the Venezuelan Paratroopers main base and training center.
It is also home to the government-owned ammunition and weapons factory (CAVIM) that produces the Venezuelan version of the FN FAL
FN FAL
The Fusil Automatique Léger or FAL is a self-loading, selective fire battle rifle produced by the Belgian armaments manufacturer Fabrique Nationale de Herstal . During the Cold War it was adopted by many North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries, with the notable exception of the United States...
(Fusil Automatique Leger - Light Automatic Rifle) rifle and will produce the newly acquired AK-103
AK-103
The AK-103 is a modern, Russian-designed version of the famous AKM assault rifle, chambered for the 7.62×39mm M43 round. It combines the AKM design with developments from the AK-74 and AK-74M, with the use of plastics to replace metal or wooden components wherever possible to reduce overall weight...
s; as well as the ammunition for both models.
Natural Reserves
The mountains on the north side of Maracay, that separate it from the coast, make up the Henri Pittier National ParkHenri Pittier National Park
Henri Pittier National Park was created in 1937 and is the oldest of Venezuela's national parks. It is famous for its birdlife. Its eco-systems vary with altitude....
, named after the Swiss naturalist
Natural history
Natural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
that studied them. The park is a very lush rainforest
Rainforest
Rainforests are forests characterized by high rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum normal annual rainfall of 1750-2000 mm...
, with a great variety of fern
Fern
A fern is any one of a group of about 12,000 species of plants belonging to the botanical group known as Pteridophyta. Unlike mosses, they have xylem and phloem . They have stems, leaves, and roots like other vascular plants...
s. Two very winding roads cut through the park over the mountains to the coast. One, beginning at the North-Central part of the city known as Urbanización El Castaño, goes to the beach town of Choroní
Choroni Beach
Choroní Beach is a popular beach located in Aragua, Venezuela. Its proper name is Playa Grande, but because of its proximity to the colonial village of Choroní, it is often referred to as Choroní Beach....
. The other, beginning at the North-Western part at the city of El Limón, goes to Ocumare de la Costa and the beaches of Cata and Catica.
Higher Education Institutions and Cultural Venues
Carabobo
Carabobo State is one of the 23 states of Venezuela, located in the north of the country, about two hours by car from Caracas. The capital city of this state is Valencia, which is also the country's main industrial center. The state's area is 4,650 km² and had an estimated population of...
.
The main Campus of the UNEFA (a military university open to civilians) is located here. Career choices include, Electronics, Aeronautical and Civil Engineering, as well as other disciplines such as avionics.
The main museums are:
- The Anthropological Museum.
- The Aviation MuseumMuseo Aeronáutico de MaracayVenezuelan Air Force's Museo Aeronáutico de Maracay is a historical aviation museum of military and civic aeronautic technology inaugurated on 10 December 1963 and located at the installations of the former Aeropuerto Nacional Florencio Gómez adjacent to the Venezuelan Air Force officer...
. - The Museum of Modern Arts "Mario Abreu".
- The Opera House.
Curiosities
- In Venezuela, Maracay is known as "Ciudad Jardín", or "Garden City".
- Maracay is the home of the local baseballBaseballBaseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
team Tigres de AraguaTigres de AraguaThe Tigres de Aragua are a baseball team that plays in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.Founded in 1965, they play at the Estadio José Perez Colmenares in Maracay...
. - The city's Bullfight arena is the only "Maestranza" (bullfighting school) in the country. At the present day is called "Maestranza Cesar Girón"
- The Patron Saint is Saint Joseph.
- Sindoni tower is located the tallest tower outside the capital
Mass media
- TV Stations: TVS, TVR (Orbivisión), Color TV, TIC TV (Televisión Informativa del Centro), Novavisión TV, Aragua TV.
- Newspapers: El Aragüeño, El Periodiquito, El Siglo, El Impreso
- Maracay in the web: maracaycity.net, MaracayUp, Maracay Extrema, En Aragua, Ciudad Maracay
Famous natives
- David Concepcion, baseball player.
- Cesar Girón Diaz Famous Bullfighter.
- Alicia MachadoAlicia MachadoYoseph Alicia Machado Fajardo is an actress, singer and former Miss Universe. She was the fourth woman from Venezuela to capture the Miss Universe crown.-Career:...
, 1996 Miss UniverseMiss UniverseMiss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
. - Pilin LeonPilin LeonPilín León won the 1981 Miss World pageant, held in London, United Kingdom, representing Venezuela....
, 1981 Miss World. - Juan ArangoJuan ArangoJuan Fernando Arango Sáenz is a Venezuelan footballer who plays for Borussia Mönchengladbach in Germany, as an attacking midfielder....
, football player. - Elvis AndrusElvis AndrusElvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
, baseball player. - Miguel CabreraMiguel CabreraJosé Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
, baseball player. - Bobby AbreuBobby AbreuBob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
, baseball player. - Juan-Carlos BianchiJuan-Carlos BianchiJuan Carlos Bianchi is a former tennis player from Venezuela, who represented his native country at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Partnering Nicolas Pereira he was defeated in the first round of the doubles competition...
, tennis player. - Pastor MaldonadoPastor MaldonadoPastor Rafael Maldonado Motta is a Venezuelan Formula One driver. Before making his Formula One debut in 2011, he won the 2010 GP2 championship.-Formula Renault:...
, racing driver.