Torres Municipality
Encyclopedia
The Torres Municipality is one of the nine municipalities
(municipios
) that makes up the Venezuela
n state of Lara
and, according to a 2007 population estimate by the National Institute of Statistics of Venezuela, the municipality has a population of 188,188. The town of Carora
is the shire town
of the Torres Municipality.
. This is appraised in the streets and the colonial line maintained, observed in each of the houses of this part of Carora. One of the very interesting characteristics of this colonial zone, is that most of the houses, are being occupied by descendants of the original owners. The main commercial activity of the region is the cattle ranch, specifically to the milk processing. The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist) was constructed at the beginning of 1600, with a very simple and clean facade. In the inner part it is decorated with wood pillars and forged iron lights, in addition to a gold, wood made altar. Between the sites of interest in Carora, they are: The José Zubillaga Perera Library, the birthplace of the Venezuelan hero Juan Jacinto Lara, well-known like Lara House, the Fine arts Center. Also the Chapel of El Calvario, an example of the colonial baroque
architecture. Also in this historic zone, there is a well-known place of the town: the Torres Club. Founded in 1898, has like seat a good shape colonial house. It has a restaurant and a "Healthcare center", that is only for members, usually can be visited by the tourists.
; Trinidad Samuel, Antonio Díaz, Camacaro, Castañeda, Cecilio Zubillaga, Chiquinquirá, El Blanco, Espinoza de los Monteros, Lara, Las Mercedes, Manuel Morillo, Montaña Verde, Montes de Oca, Torres, Heriberto Arroyo, Reyes Vargas, and Altagracia.
, created on September 22, 1962, under the government of Romulo Betancourt
, with the name of Experimental Center of Superior Studies, it begins with four schools: medicine
, agronomy
, veterinary and administration. In 1967, the name is changed to Center-West University, continuing the educational and administrative activities of the Experimental Center of Superior Studies. On April 2, 1979, Venezuelan government rename the organization like Lisandro Alvarado Center-West University.
to the Venezuelan government, to install a Technological Institute in the country, offering technical attendance, and resources. Three cities were interested in the offer, Caracas
, Valencia and Barquisimeto
, being chosen the last one like principal seat, thanks to the campaign made by the Society of Friends of Barquisimeto, with the support of the Lara state government and the mass media. On September 22, 1962, is founded the Superior Polytechnic Institute, with main seat in Barquisimeto, and on February 20, 1979, the Antonio José de Sucre National Experimental Polytechnic University is created, the institutes of Barquisimeto
, Caracas
and Puerto Ordaz
, happened to integrate this university of high hierarchy in the national technology. By a lamentable decision of the national government, through Decree Number 68, on April 19, 1979, it countermanded the creation of the University. Twelve years later, on February 14, 1991, the Venezuelan court, countermanded Decree Number 68, and consequently restituted the University.
, Antonio Oropeza; health science Dr. Pastor Oropeza; and lawyer and one of the writers of the 1961 Venezuelan Constitution Jose "Cheito" Herrera Oropeza; were born in this small Venezuelan city. The Oropeza family, which hails from Carora, is particularly wealthy and conspicuous.
Municipalities of Venezuela
Municipalities of Venezuela are divisions of the states.-Amazonas:#Alto Orinoco #Atabapo #Atures #Autana #Manapiare #Maroa...
(municipios
Municipio
Municipio and Município are terms used for country subdivisions. They are often translated as municipality.-Overview:...
) that makes up the Venezuela
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...
n state of Lara
Lara (state)
Lara State is one of the 23 states into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Barquisimeto.Lara State covers a total surface area of and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 1,795,100.- Municipalities and municipal seats :...
and, according to a 2007 population estimate by the National Institute of Statistics of Venezuela, the municipality has a population of 188,188. The town of Carora
Carora
Carora is a town in Lara State, Venezuela, on the Morere River, a branch of the Tocuyo River. It is about 54 miles southwest of Barquisimeto. Carora was founded twice. The first time, in the year 1569 by Juan de Tejo, but due to constant attacks from the indigenous population, it was abandoned,...
is the shire town
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of the Torres Municipality.
History
The town of Carora was founded in two occasions. The first time, in 1569 by Juan de Tejo, but it was evacuated, because the attacks of the local natives, was founded again in 1572 by Juan de Salmanca. Carora has one of the most beautiful colonial zones, and better conserved 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...
. This is appraised in the streets and the colonial line maintained, observed in each of the houses of this part of Carora. One of the very interesting characteristics of this colonial zone, is that most of the houses, are being occupied by descendants of the original owners. The main commercial activity of the region is the cattle ranch, specifically to the milk processing. The Cathedral of San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist) was constructed at the beginning of 1600, with a very simple and clean facade. In the inner part it is decorated with wood pillars and forged iron lights, in addition to a gold, wood made altar. Between the sites of interest in Carora, they are: The José Zubillaga Perera Library, the birthplace of the Venezuelan hero Juan Jacinto Lara, well-known like Lara House, the Fine arts Center. Also the Chapel of El Calvario, an example of the colonial baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
architecture. Also in this historic zone, there is a well-known place of the town: the Torres Club. Founded in 1898, has like seat a good shape colonial house. It has a restaurant and a "Healthcare center", that is only for members, usually can be visited by the tourists.
Economy
- Agricultural potential: Carora, is associated fundamentally to the cattle activity. They emphasize the program of genetic improvement, the Carora cattle, race that represents a potential for the city's economic development. Between the agriculture products of the city, we can mention: sugar cane and grapeGrapeA grape is a non-climacteric fruit, specifically a berry, that grows on the perennial and deciduous woody vines of the genus Vitis. Grapes can be eaten raw or they can be used for making jam, juice, jelly, vinegar, wine, grape seed extracts, raisins, molasses and grape seed oil. Grapes are also...
. The first, has the greater harvested surface of the municipality. The potential of this activity is sustained fundamentally in the industries. In the case of the grape cultivated in the Valley of Altagracia, represents the 86% of the cultivated in the Lara stateLara (state)Lara State is one of the 23 states into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Barquisimeto.Lara State covers a total surface area of and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 1,795,100.- Municipalities and municipal seats :...
. This activity tie to the wine industry, represents an enormous economic potential for Carora.
- Industrial potential: The industrial potential of the municipality is set in the agriculture insdustry fundamentally. It emphasizes the products sugar cane. Also, the growth potential that has the wine activity that has been developed in the valley of Altagracia and that has acquired national reputation with the elaboration of best wines of the country. The possibility of the extension of the Center-West railway network until Carora, which would contribute to consolidate the Industrial Zone. The commerce in Carora, is represented by a high index of the informal economy, constituted by salesmen and others, also the city presents a great commercial demand of the small and great retailers, for this reason was created an institute for the control of this sector, the ACIC.
- Touristic potential: The relief of the city, allows to recognize two differentiated landscapes, one dry and with XerophileXerophileXerophiles are extremophilic organisms that can grow and reproduce in conditions with a low availability of water, also known as water activity. Water activity is a measure of the amount of water within a substrate that an organism can use to support sexual growth. Xerophiles are often said to...
vegetation, and another of tie subhumid characteristics, this, the Carora's historic zone and the Cerro Saroche national park, confer to the municipality a great touristic potential. To the development of this potential, it would contribute the rehabilitation of the public patrimony, and the promotion of the gastronomical wealth, and the popular art of the city, so characteristic of Carora
Demographics
The Torres Municipality, according to a 2007 population estimate by the National Institute of Statistics of Venezuela, has a population of 188,188 (up from 167,869 in 2000). This amounts to 10.5% of the state's population. The municipality's population density is 27.06 PD/sqkm.Government
The mayor of the Torres Municipality is Julio Rafael Chávez Meléndez, elected on October 31, 2004 with 36% of the vote. He replaced Javier Oropeza shortly after the elections. The municipality is divided into 17 parishesParish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
; Trinidad Samuel, Antonio Díaz, Camacaro, Castañeda, Cecilio Zubillaga, Chiquinquirá, El Blanco, Espinoza de los Monteros, Lara, Las Mercedes, Manuel Morillo, Montaña Verde, Montes de Oca, Torres, Heriberto Arroyo, Reyes Vargas, and Altagracia.
Lisandro Alvarado Center-West University
(Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado) or UCLA, is a public institution with seat in BarquisimetoBarquisimeto
Barquisimeto is the capital city of the State of Lara located in west central Venezuela, halfway between Caracas and Maracaibo on the Turbio River.-Overview:...
, created on September 22, 1962, under the government of Romulo Betancourt
Rómulo Betancourt
Rómulo Ernesto Betancourt Bello , known as "The Father of Venezuelan Democracy", was President of Venezuela from 1945 to 1948 and again from 1959 to 1964, as well as leader of Accion Democratica, Venezuela's dominant political party in the 20th century...
, with the name of Experimental Center of Superior Studies, it begins with four schools: medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, agronomy
Agronomy
Agronomy is the science and technology of producing and using plants for food, fuel, feed, fiber, and reclamation. Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science. Agronomy is the application of a combination of sciences like biology,...
, veterinary and administration. In 1967, the name is changed to Center-West University, continuing the educational and administrative activities of the Experimental Center of Superior Studies. On April 2, 1979, Venezuelan government rename the organization like Lisandro Alvarado Center-West University.
Antonio José de Sucre National Experimental Polytechnic University
(Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica Antonio José de Sucre) or UNEXPO, is a public institution, with nucleus in Carora. The history of the University begins with the proposal from the UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
to the Venezuelan government, to install a Technological Institute in the country, offering technical attendance, and resources. Three cities were interested in the offer, 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...
, Valencia and Barquisimeto
Barquisimeto
Barquisimeto is the capital city of the State of Lara located in west central Venezuela, halfway between Caracas and Maracaibo on the Turbio River.-Overview:...
, being chosen the last one like principal seat, thanks to the campaign made by the Society of Friends of Barquisimeto, with the support of the Lara state government and the mass media. On September 22, 1962, is founded the Superior Polytechnic Institute, with main seat in Barquisimeto, and on February 20, 1979, the Antonio José de Sucre National Experimental Polytechnic University is created, the institutes of Barquisimeto
Barquisimeto
Barquisimeto is the capital city of the State of Lara located in west central Venezuela, halfway between Caracas and Maracaibo on the Turbio River.-Overview:...
, 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...
and Puerto Ordaz
Puerto Ordaz
Puerto Ordaz is a planned city which, together with the older settlement of San Felix, forms Ciudad Guayana in Bolívar State, eastern Venezuela. Puerto Ordaz is located at the confluence of the Caroní and Orinoco Rivers and is the site of the Llovizna Falls. There are bridges across the Caroni and...
, happened to integrate this university of high hierarchy in the national technology. By a lamentable decision of the national government, through Decree Number 68, on April 19, 1979, it countermanded the creation of the University. Twelve years later, on February 14, 1991, the Venezuelan court, countermanded Decree Number 68, and consequently restituted the University.
Other universities
Culture
Carora has been the birth place of very important people in knowledge different areas. Guitarist players Alirio Diaz and Rodrigo Riera; historians Gillermo Moron, Ismael Silva Montañes, Ambrosio Perera; lawyers Ambrosio Oropeza, Juan OropezaJuan Oropeza
Juan Oropeza Riera was a Venezuelan lawyer, diplomat, writer, educator and political science expert. He was born in Carora in the state of Lara, and was the younger brother of pediatrics pioneer, Pastor Oropeza Riera....
, Antonio Oropeza; health science Dr. Pastor Oropeza; and lawyer and one of the writers of the 1961 Venezuelan Constitution Jose "Cheito" Herrera Oropeza; were born in this small Venezuelan city. The Oropeza family, which hails from Carora, is particularly wealthy and conspicuous.