Barlovento, Venezuela

Barlovento is a sub-region of Miranda state, Venezuela. During Spanish colonization of the Americas, Barlovento was developed as estate owners founded cacao haciendas. The work on the estates was done by African slaves brought from what is now the Republic of the Congo, Zaire (or Belgian Congo) and Angola. These people were Bantu, Kingdom of Loango and Yoruba.

The culture of African and Spanish inhabitants has merged into the "drum dancing", Barlovento's typical Afro-Venezuelan celebration. This occurs particularly at the time of the feast of San Juan. Other events include the Entierro de la Sardina (Burial of the Sardine) and Day of the Dead. A syncretism has occurred where Catholic saints represent traditional African deities.

"Barlovento" is a Spanish word meaning "windward". This is due to the wind coming from Barlovento to the south of the region, where it brings heavy rain, then returning to the coast to cross the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean, bringing rain to the Canary Islands.

Barlovento lies near the coast of Venezuela which forms the northern aspect of South America. It is located between the parallels 10 ° and 11 °, north latitude and the meridians 65 ° and 67 °, longitude west. Caracas is about 100 kilometres (62 mi) to the east.

To the north is the Caribbean Sea. To the east is Caracas, the Caribbean Sea and Anzoátegui State. To the south is Serranía del Interior, Anzoátegui state and Guárico state. To the west is Serranía de la Costa of the Cordillera de la Costa, Vargas State and other municipalities of the Miranda State.

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