Caracas, Venezuela

Caracas, viewed from Mount Avila
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CaracasAvila.jpg
Author: SuperHercules


Caracas is the capital and biggest city in Venezuela. Its official name is Santiago de León de Caracas. The city is located on the northern coast of the country. It covers 1,930 sq km (745.2 sq mi) and has a population of 1.8 million people (2011 estimate), within a metropolitan area of 5.2 million people. Caracas observes the Venezuela Standard Time, which is hour and a half hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4:30). The phone area code for Caracas is 212.

Caracas occupies a valley in the Venezuelan coastal mountain range. The city is on an elevation ranging from 760 m (2,493 ft) to 1,043 m (3,422 ft). The Old Town is at an elevation of 900 m (2,954 ft). Separating Caracas from the coast, about 15 km to the north, is El Ávila National Park.

Caracas, Venezuela
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caracas_dec.JPG
Author: Muka


The climate of Caracas is classified as tropical savanna. Temperature is fairly constant throughout the year, the average high is around 30.3°C (86.5°F) while the average low is around 16°C (60.8°F). Rain is heaviest in June, which receives 134 mm (5.28 in) of precipitation.

The Caracas area was inhabited by indigenous people when the Spanish arrived there over four hundred years ago. The city was founded on 25 July, 1567 by Captain Diego de Losada. The city was placed away from the coast which was then vulnerable to pirate raids. Nevertheless Caracas was attacked once, in the 1680's, when buccaneers penetrated the pass and enter the town, which they then ransacked and burned.

Avenida Bolívar, Caracas
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Av_Bolivar_caracas2.jpg
Author: Erik Cleves Kristensen


Caracas was made the capital of the Captaincy General of Venezuela in 1777. Inspired by the French Revolution and the American Wars of Independence, the people of Venezuela declared their independence in Caracas on 5 July, 1811. However the Spanish crown did not accept the declaration, resulting in a war of independence which continued until 1821, when the independence fighters under Simón Bolívar won against the royalist.

Caracas modernized rapidly in the 20th century, its growth fueled by oil wealth. On the other hand, there is a gulf in income disparity between the middle3 class and the low-income working class, which creates a belt of slums, called rancho, in the city. These are populated by the rural poor who come to the city in search of better opportunities.

Plaza Francia, Caracas
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plaza_Francia.jpg
Author: Duncharris

Visiting Caracas, Venezuela

The main airport is the Simón Bolívar Airport, located in Maiquetía, 25 km from downtown Caracas. The taxi fare to Caracas is BcF 150 (which at the official - and inflated - exchange rate, comes to US$70).

Exchanging money can be a big hassle in Venezuela due to exchange controls implemented by the government since 2003. Exchanges must be done at official exchange houses (called casa de cambio) or banks following a fixed official rate. It is not possible to exchange money at hotels.

Estacion Coche, Caracas Metro
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Estacion_Coche_L3_METRO_DE_CARACAS.JPG
Author: HARIDAS MEDEROS OCANDO

Places of Interest in Caracas, Venezuela

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