Caracas

Situated in the north of Venezuela, Caracas serves as the South American nationÂs capital city and has a population of well over 3 million. The city is one of many such in South America, established by Spanish colonisers. In 1562, Francisco Fajardo was the first to try and colonise the area that had previously been populated by local tribes. Then in 1567, Diego de Losada laid the foundations for Santiago de LeÃ³n de Caracas, the city that stands today. Like much of the European instigated urban development that took place in South America during the early modern period, Caracas was designed as a set of straight intersecting avenues, marked out by central features, such as parks and squares in each sector. This is evidenced by the many seats and parks that inhabit the oldest sections of the city. The city planners felt that such designs reflected the ÂrationalityÂ of the modern age. It wasnÂt until 1811 that the city saw independence under the guidance of Francisco de Miranda and SimÃ³n BolÃvar, El Libertaador, two of the most important figures in Latin American history.

Because the region around the city is rich in cocoa and oil, Caracas has risen to become one of the largest economic centres of Latin America, and is one of the most developed cities in the region. Despite the effects of rapid modernisation, Caracas has protected its culture, which is made up of a mixture of native and Spanish influences. A variety of museums and monuments attest to the fact that Caracas is a hotbed of cultural activity.

Attractions

Caracas is something of a hidden gem for visitors to South America. Despite not featuring on many touristsÂ itineraries, it is host to a number of unique attractions for the discerning traveller. Dispersed throughout the city are buildings that display a number of different architectural styles through which the history of the city can be seen - from La Casa Natal de SimÃ³n BolÃvar, a reconstruction of the house in which BolÃvar was born in 1783 (the site also contains a museum and some excellent paintings) to the Universidad Central de Venezuala, a marvel of modern architecture, designated a [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/986 UNESCO World Heritage Site] in 2000. Designed by one of the countryÂs greatest architects, Carlos RaÃºl Villanueva, the university campus also littered with famous artworks, from such artists as Alexander Calder and Fernand Leger.

Another site worth checking out is the Capitolio Federal, which is adorned with golden domes and the SalÃ³n ElÃptico, an oval hall with a mural-covered dome. The insides of the hall are lined with portraits of the countryÂs most important historical figures. Among the cityÂs finer museums is the Museo de Arte Coloniel housed in a colonial country mansion known as "Qunita Anauco", and surrounded by gardens to rival the Jardin Botanico which is filled with the finest tropical plants and trees. There are many parks dotted around the city, peaceful islands of green which form a tranquil juxtaposition to the bustle of city life. Among the grandest, the Parque del Este is famed for its zoo among other things. Parque ArÃsttides Rojas and Parque ARULFO offer the perfect setting for evening strolls through the city, and offer an look into CaracasÂ vibrant night life.

Caracas is also laden with theatres and galleries, many of which are situated in and around the Plaza BolÃvar (the site of the city's cathedral which was founded in 1594 and contains paintings by Rubens and Murillo), and [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/cx/?id=107806 Parque Central]. Among the museums and cinemas that can be found here, the [http://www.teatroteresacarreno.gob.ve Teresa CarreÃ±o Cultural Complex] is particularly noteworthy for its theatre which is internationally renowned and has hosted some of the countryÂs most important ballets and plays. The Mirador de la Torre Oeste is well worth checking out - on the 52nd floor it offers a 360Â° panoramic view of the city.

To the north of Caracas, Mt. Avila offers fresh air and an invigorating climb. For those who donÂt fancy the hike, the TelefÃ©rico carries passengers up the side of the mountain and offers breathtaking views of Caracas to the south and the Caribbean Sea to the north. To the south-east of Caracas, El Hatillo is a colonial town which gives insight into CaracasÂ colonial past.

Shopping

Caracas has excellent shopping opportunities. The Centro Comercial Sambil is South AmericaÂs largest shopping mall which, with literally hundreds of shops, offers something for everything. The Centro Comercial San Ignacio is filled with many boutique stores and good bars and restaurants. It is a hub of Caracas nightlife, at which time it is occupied by local vendors selling all manner of fare. Of the many other malls that can be found in Caracas, the Centro Comercial Paseo Las Mercedes is also an excellent choice, whilst Altamira is an entire district devoted to shopping.

Nightlife and Eating Out

For those wishing to see what the city has to offer at night, Las Mercedes is the place to be. This zone is home to some of the best restaurants in the city which offer a wide range of gastronomical delights, from local dishes to the foods of the world. It is crammed with pubs, bars, clubs and pool halls, and is a favourite haunt for the cityÂs youth. In La Castellana, La Estancia and New Spizzico are two restaurants with excellent reputations. The Cafe-Trattoria Mediterraneo, with its retro deco also comes highly recommended.

Tourist Information

Corp de Turismo de Venezuela (Venezuelan Tourist Office)Av Bolivar, Parque Central Â Torre Oeste Piso 37,El Conde, Caracas 1010, Venezuela

Tel: +58(0)212 507 8815
Web: [http://www.venezuelavisitorsbureau.com www.venezuelavisitorsbrueau.com]

Airport

[http://www.aeropuerto-maiquetia.com.ve SimÃ³n BolÃvar International Airport] (CSS) which is commonly referred to as MaiquietÃa International Airport is the countryÂs primary airport and is located about 20km from central Caracas, in MaiquetÃa. It is one of the main hubs of air travel in Latin America, allowing for easy access to other destinations on the continent at affordable prices. [http://www.ba.com British Airways] offer a selection of direct flights to SimÃ³n BolÃvar International Airport available from Heathrow, and these fly out on a regular basis. The airport is served by most major international airliners. For those using the airport to travel somewhere further afield, an on site hotel is due for completion early 2007.