Cumaná facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cumaná
City
Top:Cumana Fortless (Castillo San Antonio Eminencie), Second:Cumana Cathedral, Ayacucho Park (Parque del Ayacucho), Bottom:Panorama view of Cumana, Araya Peninsula and Cariaco Bay, from Cumana Fortless (all item from left to right)
Flag Seal
Motto(s):  La tierra donde nace el sol, Primogénita del continente americano (English):"The land where the sun rises, Firstborn of the American Continent")
Cumaná Location in Venezuela
Country	Venezuela
State	Sucre
Municipality	Sucre
Founded	1510
Government
• Type	Mayor–council
Area
• Total	598 km2 (231 sq mi)
Elevation	43 m (141 ft)
Population  (2022)
• Total	405,626
• Demonym	Cumanés
Demonym(s)	cumanés (m), cumanesa (f)
Time zone	UTC−4 (VET)
Postal code	6101
Area code(s)	0293
Climate	BSh
Website	www.alcaldiabolivarianadesucre.com

Cumaná is an important city in Venezuela. It is the capital of Sucre State. The city is about 402 kilometers (250 miles) east of Caracas, the country's capital.

Cumaná is one of the very first cities founded by Spain in the Americas. It is also the oldest continuously-inhabited city in South America that was started by Spanish settlers.

The city is located right where the Manzanares River meets the Caribbean Sea. This makes it a busy port city. Cumaná is also home to a large tuna fishing fleet.

You can find the main campus of the Universidad de Oriente here. The city is also close to Mochima National Park, which has beautiful beaches. These beaches are very popular with tourists from Venezuela.

Many important people from Venezuela's history were born in Cumaná. This includes Antonio José de Sucre, a famous general who helped Venezuela gain independence. He also became president of Bolivia and Peru. Other notable people include poets like Andrés Eloy Blanco and José Antonio Ramos Sucre.

Scientists from different countries, like Pehr Löfling (Sweden), Alexander von Humboldt (Germany), and Aimé Bonpland (France), visited Cumaná in the 1700s. They did important research and made discoveries there.

Cumaná also has a Toyota factory. This factory builds popular vehicles like the Hilux and the Toyota Fortuner.

History of Cumaná

Cumaná was the first Spanish settlement in Venezuela. It was founded in 1515 by Franciscan friars. They first called it Nueva Toledo.

However, the local Cumanagoto people fought back successfully. Because of these attacks, the city had to be rebuilt several times. Diego Hernández de Serpa finally re-established it in 1569, giving it the name Cumaná.

Later, in 1537, the New Andalusia Province was created. Cumaná became its capital. This is why the province was also known as the Province of Cumaná.

After a while, attacks from the native people became less of a problem. But then, earthquakes started to destroy the city many times. This means that most of the oldest buildings you see today are from the late 1600s and 1700s. Very few buildings from the 1500s survived. Cumaná gained its independence on July 5, 1811.

Climate in Cumaná

Cumaná has a hot semi arid climate. This means it's usually warm and dry. It's also very close to being a tropical savanna climate, which has a bit more rain.

Fun Places to Visit

Cumaná has many old buildings with a colonial style. They are still in great shape!

• The San Antonio de la Eminencia Castle is a large Spanish fort. You can visit it, and it offers amazing views from the beach.
• The Santa Maria de la Cabeza castle was built in 1669 and is also still standing.
• The Museo del Mar (Museum of the Sea) shows off cool items related to the ocean and ships.

Cool Animals and Plants

The Cumaná area is home to a special fish called the Endler's livebearer. This fish has bright colors and was found in a nearby lake called Laguna de Los Patos. Sadly, this fish is no longer found in that lake, but it lives on in aquariums all over the world!

The colorful Endler's livebearer fish.

Famous People from Cumaná

Many well-known people were born in Cumaná:

• Iñaki Anasagasti (born 1947), a Spanish politician.
• Rafael Betancourt (born 1975), a baseball player.
• Andrés Eloy Blanco (1897–1955), a famous poet and politician.
• José Buttó (born 1998), a baseball player.
• Armando Galarraga (born 1982), a baseball player.
• César Jiménez (born 1984), a baseball player.
• Luis Maza (born 1980), a baseball player.
• Javier Otero (born 2002), a footballer.
• Luis Peñalver (born 1941), a baseball player.
• Vanessa Peretti (born 1986), the first deaf person to enter the Miss Venezuela pageant.
• Gelmin Rivas (born 1989), a footballer.
• Francisco Sánchez (born 1976), a world champion swimmer.
• Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830), a leader who helped Venezuela become independent.
• Jesús Sucre (born 1988), a baseball player.
• José Antonio Ramos Sucre (1890–1930), a poet and diplomat.

Getting Around

Cumaná has its own airport, called Antonio José de Sucre Airport. You can take flights from here to Caracas.

Gallery

• 

  Castle of San Antonio de la Eminencia

• 

  Sucre Street

• 

  Historical quarter of Cumaná

• 

  San Luis Beach

• 

  Ayacucho Square

See also

In Spanish: Cumaná para niños