Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in South America. City was established in the valley in 1557 by Francisco Fajardo and in 1561 Juan Rodriguez Suarez founded a town on the site of the ranch; but the town was soon destroyed by Indian attacks. Diego de Lozada founded Caracas on St. James Day (Santiago in Spanish) in 1567 and named the city Santiago de Leon de Caracas after the saint and the tribe of Indians who inhabited the area. In 1577 the governor Juan de Pimentel nominated the town to become the administrative center of the Province of Venezuela. It was the ideal place to establish the colony, owing to its proximity to the sea, abundant soil and defence from pirates. In 1578 the city was a quadrilateral formed of 24 squares centred on a plaza. Nowadays, Caracas is a cosmopolitan city full of contrasts, customs and traditions.
Caracas has a tropical climate, tempered by its relatively high altitude position and proximity to the sea. Summer temperatures range between 18°C (64°F) and 29°C (84°F) and winter temperatures between 16°C (60°F) and 27°C (81°F). The dry season runs from December to April and most rainfall occurs during the period from May to November and may be accompanied by electrical storms.
Caracas is the main business center in the country, as well as the center of all business sectors agriculture, oil, electricity even though most of the resources come from different parts of the country. In recent decades, especially during oil booms of the 1970s and 80s, Caracas has seen unprecedented growth. Most important in the economic life of Caracas is the tertiary, or service, sector. This includes wholesale and retail trade, transportation and public utilities, education and health care, and especially government. The city serves as headquarters for most of Venezuela’s commercial and industrial firms, its banks and insurance companies, and government agencies both foreign and domestic.
The main form of transport in Caracas is the efficient, cheap and well-maintained Metro system, which has three lines covering 39 stations, and provides easy access to most tourist attractions and facilities. The metro is connected to city suburbs via a "Metrobus" system, which is easy to navigate via maps posted in all the stations. It is best to avoid rush hours, and to be alert for pickpockets. Small buses operating on city routes are called "carritos". Taxis can be identified by "Taxi" or "Libre" signs, and are unmetered. Fares are reasonable though, and are best fixed before boarding. Taxis should be hired at the many taxi ranks, or called from one of the many companies that service the city 24 hours a day.
In Caracas, like other Venezuelan cities, children may go to private primary (compulsory), secondary, and professional schools. Public schools in Caracas tend to be less well kept and supplied than the private, tuition based schools. In order to continue after bachelor, or high school, students must achieve certain scores on college-entrance exams. Once passing, they may attend any of the public or private institutions across the country. Higher education is provided by public and private universities, institutes and colleges (providing pedagogical, polytechnic, technological, ecclesiastical or military instruction). The leading institution of higher education is the Central University of Venezuela (also known as the University of Caracas), founded in 1725.
Just ten miles from the Caribbean coast, Caracas is the site of many beautiful attractions including the Caracas Cathedral and the presidential Palacio Miraflores, as well as many examples of refined colonial architecture. As with many cities originally founded by the Spanish, the center of the city is a huge square, known as Plaza Bolivar. In its colourful history, the large square has served as a market place, bullfighting arena and venue for public hangings. Surrounding the square are most of Venezuela’s main government buildings and the cathedral. The cathedral’s modest exterior hides its more decorative interior; it is also home to a superb collection of paintings as well as the private Bolivar chapel. Nearby, inside a restored mansion is the Museo Sacro, which has a small collection of religious art and a network of catacombs.
Caracas has several modern art museums that may be of interest. The city's Museum of Contemporary Art, located by the Parque Central, has works by Miro, Matisse, Léger and Picasso in its collection. Numerous pieces by Botero can be seen at the Museum of Fine Arts while Galeria de Arte Nacional provides a glimpse into the activities of young contemporary Venezuelan artists.
Within about an hour’s drive of Caracas is one of the most unusual towns in South America. The town of Colonia Tovar is situated in beautiful wooded country, and was originally settled by German immigrants in the 1800’s. As a result, the town offers an authentic taste of Germany in the heart of Venezuela – from the wooden church, to the elders who still speak German, to the blond and blue-eyed appearance of many of the natives.
Every year Caracas hosts an international Theater Festival, where groups from all over the world meet.
