Juan Griego facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Griego
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The bay of Juan Griego
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.svg)
 Juan Griego
Location in Venezuela
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| Country |  Venezuela |
| State | Nueva Esparta |
| Municipality | Marcano Municipality |
| Founded | c 1545 |
| Elevation | 10 m (30 ft) |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 28,256 |
| • Demonym | Juangrieguenses |
| Time zone | VST |
| Postal code |
6309
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| Area code(s) | 0295 |
| Climate | BSh |
Juan Griego is a city located on the northern part of Isla Margarita. It is the most northern port in Venezuela. About 28,256 people lived there in 2001. It is also the main city of the Marcano area in the Nueva Esparta state.
Contents
A Look at Juan Griego's Past
How Juan Griego Got Its Name
Juan Griego gets its name from a person called Juan the Greek. He was born in Seville, Spain, in the early 1500s. Juan was a navigator who sailed across the ocean to the Americas. He started a successful business. He is mentioned in a record from 1545. After he passed away, the people in the town started calling it after him. This was likely because he was a very important person in the area.
Becoming a Key Port
The city became important in 1811. This was during the Venezuelan War of Independence. Juan Griego became a port, and a military battery was built to protect it. In 1816, the famous leader Simon Bolivar used this port when he returned from Haiti.
Building the Church
In 1844, the Parish of San Juan Evangelista was created. Its church has a beautiful gothic style. It was built in 1850 by Fray Nicholas de Igualdad. This church, along with the lovely bay, is still a symbol of the city today.
Changes in Importance
In 1904, the government moved the island's capital. It went from Juan Griego to Pampatar, which is in the south. This caused commercial activities in Juan Griego to slow down a lot. However, the city's cultural life continued to grow. In 1932, a group of young people started the Beneficent Society of Juan Griego. They put on plays, poetry readings, concerts, and other artistic events.
A Free Port Again
In 1973, Isla Margarita became a free port. This meant that goods could be traded more easily. Because of this, Juan Griego once again became the second most important city for business. Only Porlamar was more important for trade.
Famous People from Juan Griego
- Francisco Antonio Rísquez (1856–1941) was a well-known physician.
- Composer Modesta Bor was born in Juan Griego in 1926.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Griego para niños
