Maracay

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Nickname(s): "Ciudad Jardín"
(English: Garden City)

Maracay

Coordinates: 10°14′49″N 67°35′46″W / 10.24694°N 67.59611°WCoordinates: 10°14′49″N 67°35′46″W / 10.24694°N 67.59611°W

Country

Venezuela

Founded

March 5, 1701

Government

• Mayor

Pedro Bastidas

Area

• Total

911.57 km² (351.96 sq mi)

Elevation

436 m (1,430 ft)

Population (2011)

• Total

955,362

• Density

1.439/km² (3.73/sq mi)

• Demonym

Maracayero(a)

Time zone

VST (UTC-4:30)

• Summer (DST)

not observed (UTC-4:30)

Postal codes

2101, 2102, 2103, 2104

Area code(s)

0243

Climate

Website

Alcaldía de Maracay (Spanish)

The area and population figures are for the municipality

Nickname(s): "Ciudad Jardín"
(English: Garden City)

Maracay (Spanish pronunciation: [maɾaˈkai̯]) is a city in north-central Venezuela, near the Caribbean coast, and is the capital and most important city of the state of Aragua. Most of it falls under the jurisdiction of the Girardot Municipality. The population of Maracay and its surroundings as per the 2011 census was 955,362. In Venezuela, Maracay is known as "Ciudad Jardín", or "Garden City".

Officially established on March 5, 1701 by Bishop Diego de Baños y Sotomayor in the valleys of Tocopio and Tapatapa (what is known today as the central valley of Aragua) in northern Venezuela.

According to the most accepted explanation, it was named after a local indigenous chief, and refers to the "Maracayo" (Felis mitis), a small tiger. Alternative etymologies cite a local aromatic tree called Mara.

Maracay experienced rapid growth during Juan Vicente Gómez's dictatorship (1908–1935). Gómez saw Maracay as a suitable place to make his residence during his rule, and ordered the construction of an Arc of Triumph, a bull plaza (a near replica of the one in Seville, Spain), an Ópera house, a Zoo, and, most notably, the Hotel Jardín (Garden Hotel), a majestic, tourist attraction with very large gardens. The city is home to the Mausoleo de Gómez (Gómez's mausoleum), where the dictator's remains are stored.

One of the most important cities in Venezuela, Maracay is primarily an industrial and commercial center, the city produces paper, textiles chemicals, tobacco, cement, cattle, processed foods, soap, and perfumes.

The areas around Maracay are agricultural: sugarcane, tobacco, coffee and cocoa stand out as the main products. There are also cattle-herding and timber-cutting activities. Activity by the Venezuelan Military also adds a great deal to Maracay's economy.

Maracay has good transportation facilities and infrastructure. The city is linked to most other important localities by the Autopista Regional del Centro (Central Regional Highway). It also has good access to Venezuela's small national railway system. The city boasts the national Hidroplane airport, located on the shore of the Lago de Valencia (Lake of Valencia). The city does not have a subway system, but one is in the planning stages.

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Wikipedia