Caraballeda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caraballeda
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.svg)
 Caraballeda
Location in Venezuela
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| Country |  Venezuela |
| State |  Vargas State |
| Founded | 1568 |
| Population
(2011)
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| • Total | 48,622 |
| Time zone | VST |
| Postal Code |
1165
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Caraballeda is a town in Venezuela. It is the main town of its parish in Vargas State. You can find it on Venezuela's central coast, right by the Caribbean Sea. Sadly, a huge flood in 1999, known as the Vargas tragedy, caused a lot of damage here.
Contents
History of Caraballeda
Caraballeda was first set up as a port for the capital city, Caracas. Captain Diego de Losada founded it in early 1568. The town got its name from the Carballeda Virgin. This saint is special to the town of Rionegro del Puente in Zamora, Spain. This was Diego de Losada's hometown.
Early Days and Challenges
The Spanish government gave Caraballeda special rights to govern itself. For 18 years, the town did very well. It was one of the richest places in the colony. But in 1586, the governor of Venezuela, Don Luis de Rojas y Mendoza, tried to take away Caraballeda's power. He wanted to choose the town's officials himself.
Instead of giving in, most people left their homes and farms. They simply moved away. The next governor tried to get them to come back, but it was too late. Because a port was still needed, a new town called La Guaira was founded in 1588. It was built about six miles to the west. Today, La Guaira is Venezuela's main port.
The Vargas Tragedy of 1999
Caraballeda covers an area of about 82.1 square kilometers. It is in a place where earthquakes happen often. Big earthquakes hit this area in 1641, 1776, 1812, and 1900. A lot of people lost their lives in the earthquake on July 29, 1967.
Famous Hotels and the Disaster
In 1963, the Macuto-Sheraton Hotel opened in Caraballeda. It was the first Sheraton Hotel in all of Latin America. From 1980 to 1985, the Miss Venezuela beauty pageants were held at this hotel. Later, the hotel's name was changed to Hotel Guaicamacuto.
On December 15, 1999, there were huge rains. These rains caused terrible mudslides. This happened all along the coast of Vargas state, but it was worst in Caraballeda. In the past, mudslides had created flat areas. People had built their homes and other buildings on these flat spots.
During that night, about 1.8 million cubic meters of rocks and trees flowed through Caraballeda. Many buildings were swept away into the sea. The buildings that remained were filled with about 8 feet of sand and mud. The Macuto-Sheraton Hotel was so badly damaged that it had to be left empty. The Melia Caribe hotel was also destroyed.
The Venezuelan government estimated that about 15,000 people died. Other estimates were as high as 30,000. Around 300,000 people lived on this part of the coast. Initial reports said that 150,000 people lost their homes.
