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Juan Griego
Panoramic of Juan Griego 45.jpg
The bay of Juan Griego
Juan Griego is located in Venezuela
Juan Griego
Juan Griego
Location in Venezuela
Country  Venezuela
State Nueva Esparta
Municipality Marcano Municipality
Founded c 1545
Elevation
10 m (30 ft)
Population
 (2001)
 • Total 28,256
 • Demonym
Juangrieguenses
Time zone VST
Postal code
6309
Area code(s) 0295
Climate BSh

Juan Griego is a city on the northern side of Isla Margarita, and is the most northern port in Venezuela. It has a population of 28,256 inhabitants (as per census of 2001) and is capital of the Marcano municipality of the Nueva Esparta state.

Juan Griego Bay
Juan Griego Bay

History

Fortin La Galera 01
La Galera, a Spanish colonial fort, separates the bay in two

The city is named after Juan the Greek, in Spanish "Juan Griego" who was born in Seville in the early 16th century. He was a navigator who crossed the ocean for the Americas. He started a prosperous business of transporting captive Indians from the island to Santo Domingo. He is mentioned in a census of 1545. After dying, the rest of the inhabitants of the town, probably for being the most prominent citizen of the place, began to call it after its founder.

The city began to receive importance in 1811 when, during the Venezuela War of Independence, it became a port and the construction of a battery to protect it military. In 1816, the port was used by Simon Bolivar for returning from Haiti.

In 1844, the Parish of San Juan Evangelista was created - Its church of gothic styling was constructed in 1850 by Fray Nicholas de Igualdad is still, along with the lovely bay, the symbol of the city.

In 1904, the government moved the capital of the island from Juan Griego to Pampatar, to the south of the island when the commercial activities greatly reduced. Nevertheless, the cultural activities continued to bloom in the city, In 1932 a young group of people started the Beneficent Society of Juan Griego, who perform plays, recitals of poetry, concerts and other artistic manifestations.

Composer Modesta Bor was born in Juan Griego in 1926.

In 1973, the island become a free port and the city once again become the second city in sequence of importance in the commercial activities after Porlamar.

Notable people

  • Francisco Antonio Rísquez (1856–1941), physician

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Juan Griego para niños

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