Güigüe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guigue
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.svg)
 Güigüe
Location in Venezuela
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| Country |  Venezuela |
| State | Carabobo |
| Municipality | Carlos Arvelo Municipality |
| Founded | 1724 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Body | Parroquia Guigue |
| Area | |
| • Total | 114 km2 (44 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 667 m (2,188 ft) |
| Population
(2005)
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| • Total | 60,000 |
| • Density | 530/km2 (1,360/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−4 (VET) |
| Climate | Aw |
| Website | alcaldiadecarlosarvelo.gob.ve |
Guigue (pronounced Gwigwe) is a city in the country of Venezuela. It is located in the Carabobo state, south of the famous Valencia Lake. Guigue is the main city of the Carlos Arvelo Municipality and also of the Guigue parish. The Guigue River flows right through the city and empties into Lake Valencia.
Contents
What Does "Guigue" Mean?
The name Güigüe comes from an old indigenous word. According to a Venezuelan expert named Dr. Lisandro Alvarado, "UIUE" means "axe" or "thunderstone." This name likely came from the native people who lived around Lake Tacarigua, also known as Lake Valencia.
The Story of Guigue's Beginning
The exact start date of Güigüe is a bit of a mystery. However, most historians believe it was founded in 1724. This idea comes from an old church record book found in the Church of Our Lady of Rosary. This book, from 1724, had a note on its first page that said: "May 3rd, 1724 in the Valley of Our Lady of the Rosary of Güigüe."
Another historian, Don Torcuato Manzo Núñez, wrote in his book "Historia del estado Carabobo" that Güigüe was founded in 1747. So, there are a couple of different ideas about when this city officially began!
Where is Guigue Located?
Güigüe is found in the central part of Venezuela, within the Carabobo state. It's south of Lake Valencia and about 151 kilometers southwest of Caracas, the capital city.
The city sits at different heights, from 445 meters to 667 meters above sea level. Some nearby cities include Tacarigua, San Joaquin, Guacara, Mariara, and Valencia. The closest airports are in Valencia and Maracay.
The borders of the Güigüe Municipality are:
- To the north: Lake Valencia, which includes islands like El Burro and El Fraile.
- To the south: The Cerro Azul mountain range.
- To the east: The state of Aragua.
- To the west: The Tacarigua parish, which is also part of the Carlos Arvelo municipality.
How Many People Live in Guigue?
In 2005, the urban area of Güigüe had over 60,000 people living there. The population has grown quite a bit over the years. For example, in 1990, there were about 45,339 people, and by 2005, it had increased to 62,464.
Fun Places to Visit in Guigue
Güigüe has some interesting spots to explore:
- Benedictine Abbey of Saint Joseph: This is a special monastery known for its beautiful buildings. People also visit to hear the monks sing Gregorian chants and to buy farm products made there.
- Plaza Arvelo and Chapel of the Savior of the World: This town square has a bronze statue of Carlos Arvelo, which was put there in 1962. Across from the square is a chapel with a statue of Jesus, called the Savior of the World. A celebration for this statue happens every year on January 1st.
- Casa de la Cultura: This building is a cultural center. It used to show art from local painters and artists from central Venezuela.
Famous People from Guigue
- Dr. Carlos Arvelo - He was a military surgeon. The municipality is named after him!
See also
In Spanish: Güigüe para niños
