Maicao
| Maicao | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| city | |||
 |
|||
|
|||
 Location of the town and municipality of Maicao in the Department of La Guajira. |
|||
 Maicao
|
|||
| Coordinates: 11°22′40″N 72°14′29″W / 11.37778°N 72.24139°W | |||
| Country | Colombia | ||
| Region | Caribbean | ||
| Department | La Guajira | ||
| Foundation | June 27, 1927 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Eurípides Pulido Rodríguez | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 1,782 km2 (688 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 52 m (171 ft) | ||
| Population (2005) | |||
| • Total | 103,124 | ||
| • Density | 58/km2 (150/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Maicaeros | ||
| Area code(s) | 57 + 5 | ||
| Climate | Aw | ||
| Website | Official website (Spanish) | ||
| * | |||
Maicao (Wayuunaiki: mai-ka-u) is a city and municipality in the Department of La Guajira, northern Republic of Colombia. It is located 76 km from Riohacha, the capital of the department and is the second largest urban center near the border with Venezuela, after the city of Cúcuta.
The city was founded on June 27, 1927 by Colonel Rodolfo Morales and Tomás Curvelo Iguarán, on behalf of the Department of Magdalena in the middle of the Wayuu people territory. During the 1970s Maicao became a commercial hub due to an oil bonanza in Venezuela and the flow of contraband present in the Guajira peninsula.
The name of Maicao comes from the Wayunaiki: mai-ka-u which means "Land of the Maize.
Maicao is located in the Guajira Peninsula, the northernmost part of South America and within the Guajira desert.
The municipality of Maicao borders to the north with the municipalities of Uribia and Manaure; to the east with the Venezuela; to the south with the municipality of Albania and to the west with the municipality of Riohacha covering a total area of 1,782 km² and at altitude over sea level of 52 m.
Climate in the municipality of Maicao is arid, presenting two rainy seasons and two dry seasons. The average temperature throughout the year is of 29 °C (84 °F).
Maicao was inhabited by the Wayuu people prior to the arrival of the Spanish. The Wayuu gave one of the strongest resistance to the Spanish conquest, remaining rebellious until the early 20th century. Maicao was officially founded on June 27, 1927 by Colonel Rodolfo Morales and Tomás Curvelo Iguarán, on behalf of the Department of Magdalena in the middle of the Wayuu people territory.
...
Wikipedia