Táchira | |||
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State of Venezuela | |||
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Anthem: Himno del Estado Táchira | |||
Location within Venezuela |
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Coordinates: 7°56′N 72°07′W / 7.94°N 72.12°WCoordinates: 7°56′N 72°07′W / 7.94°N 72.12°W | |||
Country | Venezuela | ||
Created | 1899 | ||
Capital | San Cristóbal | ||
Government | |||
• Governor | José Gregorio Vielma Mora (2012–2016) | ||
Area | |||
• Total | 10,812 km2 (4,175 sq mi) | ||
Area rank | 16th | ||
1.2% of Venezuela | |||
Population (2011 census est.) | |||
• Total | 1,168,908 | ||
• Rank | 9th | ||
4.5% of Venezuela | |||
Time zone | UTC-04:30 | ||
ISO 3166 code | VE-S | ||
Emblematic tree | Pino Criollo, or Laso (Prumnopitys montana) | ||
Website | www |
Táchira State (Spanish: Estado Táchira, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈtatʃiɾa]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is San Cristóbal.
Táchira State covers a total surface area of 10,812 square kilometres (4,175 sq mi) and, as of the 2011 census, had a population of 1,168,908. At the end of the 19th century, Táchira state was the place where oil was discovered in Venezuela. It was exploited for many years. Currently, its main economic revenues come from the production of coffee and pineapple. The cattle and agricultural activities play an important role in Táchira's economy. There is also a strong industrial sector which focuses on the processing of potato, sugar, milk, and cheese and the production of textiles.
Táchira State is one of the three Venezuelan Andean states (the other two are Mérida and Trujillo). This state borders with Zulia State in the north, Barinas and Mérida states in the East, Apure and Barinas states in the south and Colombia (Norte de Santander Department) in the west.
Táchira State plays an important role in the early parts of Venezuelan history. This state produced more presidents than any other state during the 20th century: Cipriano Castro, Juan Vicente Gómez, Marcos Pérez Jiménez, Isaías Medina Angarita, Eleazar López Contreras, Carlos Andrés Pérez, and Ramón José Velásquez.