Caripe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Caripe
|
|
|---|---|
| Caripe del Guácharo | |
 |
|
| Nickname(s):
Jardín del Oriente Venezolano
|
|
.svg)
 Caripe
Location in Venezuela
|
|
| Country |  Venezuela |
| State | Monagas |
| Municipality | Caripe Municipality |
| Founded | 12 October 1734 |
| Elevation | 800 m (2,600 ft) |
| Time zone | VST |
Caripe is a town located in the mountains of eastern Venezuela. It is part of the Caripe Municipality in the state of Monagas.
The town's full name is Caripe del Guácharo. This means 'Caripe of the Oilbird'. It is named after a special type of nocturnal bird that lives in a nearby cave. This cave is known as the Cueva del Guácharo. The famous explorer Alexander von Humboldt first described this bird species to science in 1799. He visited Caripe during his important Latin American Expedition.
When Humboldt visited, Caripe was home to a Capuchin religious mission. The name Caripe likely comes from the Carib language. There is a story that a chief named Caripe lived here. His son, Caripito, went down the Caripe river and founded the town of Caripito in the lowlands.
Contents
Caripe's Location and Weather
Caripe is found in the northern mountains of the Monagas state in eastern Venezuela.
Enjoyable Climate
The weather in Caripe is very pleasant. This is because of its high altitude, which is often 1,000 meters (about 3,000 feet) or more. Its location near the equator (about 10° North) and its closeness to the Caribbean Sea also help. The mountains here are not as tall as the Andes in western Venezuela. Cerro Turumiquire is the highest at 2,595 meters, followed by Cerro Negro at 2,430 meters.
These mountains are rounded and covered with thick green plants. They are similar to the Appalachian Mountains in the United States. Alexander von Humboldt thought the limestone landscape looked like Derbyshire in England, which also has similar limestone rock formations.
What Caripe Produces
The land in the Caripe Valley is very rich and good for growing things.
Farming and Tourism
Many farms in the Caripe valley grow vegetables and fruits. Citrus fruits and many types of bananas are common. In the more mountainous areas, you can find coffee farms and places where animals graze. Tourism is also a big part of the local economy. Many visitors come to enjoy the beautiful scenery and attractions.
The Oilbird Cave
The oilbird's scientific name is Steatornis caripensis. This means 'fat-bearing bird of Caripe'. In Humboldt's time, local people collected young oilbirds. They used the birds' fat to make oil.
Protecting the Birds
Today, oilbirds are protected. The cave where they live was Venezuela's first national monument. It is called the "Monumento Nacional Alejandro de Humboldt." In 1975, the Cueva del Guácharo National Park was created. This park helps protect the oilbirds and their natural home.
Other Places to Visit
Caripe is well-known for its berries. You can find several stores that sell strawberries with cream. These shops have been popular with tourists for many years. They also sell many products made from berries, like jams, marmalades, and wines.
Local Berry Farms
While strawberries are mostly brought in from other parts of Venezuela now, some small farms in Caripe still grow organic berries. These include raspberries (frambuesas) and blackberries (moras).
There are also many spots in the surrounding mountains. From these places, you can see amazing views of Caripe and its beautiful landscapes.
See also
In Spanish: Caripe para niños
