Cabruta facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cabruta
Town
Cabruta Location in Venezuela
Country	Venezuela
State	Guárico
Municipality	Las Mercedes
Area
• Total	2 km2 (0.8 sq mi)
Population
• Total	5,500
	(2013)
Climate	Aw

Cabruta is a fishing town in Venezuela. It is located on the Orinoco River in Las Mercedes Municipality, Guárico State. Long ago, it was the site of a Jesuit mission. Today, there are plans to build a bridge across the Orinoco River from Cabruta to Caicara in Bolívar State.

History of Cabruta

The town of Cabruta has a long history. In 1531, an explorer named Diego de Ordaz wrote about an indigenous village there. He called it 'Cabritu'. Later, in 1556, Martin Lopez mentioned it as an Arawak village named 'Caburute'.

In the 1600s, there were many ideas to build forts in Cabruta. In 1643, Juan de Ochoa Gresala y Aguirre was allowed to create a Spanish port. He also planned to start a city called 'Triunfo de la Cruz y Nueva Cantabria'. However, it wasn't until 1647 that Miguel de Ochogavia and Jacinto de Carvajal arrived. They came down the Apure River and, with help from chief Maguare, started making improvements.

But the Spanish left Cabruta just eleven years later, in 1658. It took a long time for new settlers to arrive. In 1720, two Capuchin missionaries settled there. Their mission was approved in 1722. But they also left. Finally, in 1733, the Jesuit Bernardo Rotella took over the mission.

Economy in Cabruta

Cabruta used to have a center for processing and freezing fish. This center helped prepare fish for sale. However, it closed down in 1998.

Today, farmers in the area around Cabruta grow cotton. There have been talks about building a factory to process this cotton into textiles. The Venezuelan government has also suggested building an oil refinery in Cabruta. This would process crude oil into useful products like gasoline.

Geography of Cabruta

Cabruta is located very close to the center of Venezuela. Because of its central spot, some people in the 1970s suggested building a planned city near Cabruta. This new city would have become the new capital of Venezuela. However, these plans were later given up.

Local Hills Around Cabruta

Several hills can be found near Cabruta.

• Cerro Cabruta is a hill about 200 meters (656 feet) high. It is located 1.74 kilometers (1.08 miles) west of Cabruta.
• Cerro Caribe is a hill about 126 meters (413 feet) high. It is located 3.46 kilometers (2.14 miles) northwest of Cabruta.

Transport Projects

In 2006, work began on a railway line to Cabruta. However, this project is currently on hold.

There are also plans for a large bridge called Puente Mercosur. This bridge would cross the Orinoco River and carry both roads and trains. It is planned to be the third bridge to cross this important river. However, this project is also currently on hold.

See also

In Spanish: Cabruta para niños