Macuro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Macuro
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.svg)
 Macuro
Location in Venezuela
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| Country |  Venezuela |
| State | Sucre |
| Municipality | Valdez |
| Area | |
| • Total | 598 km2 (231 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 4 m (13 ft) |
| Population
(2001)
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| • Total | 33,621 |
| • Density | 56.2/km2 (146/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-4:30 (VST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4:30 (not observed) |
| Area code(s) | 0276 |
| Website | valdez-sucre.gob.ve |
| The area and population figures are for the municipality | |
Macuro is a small fishing town in Venezuela. It is located on the south-west side of the Paria peninsula, in Sucre state. The town overlooks a calm bay, just a few miles from Bocas del Dragón.
Contents
History of Macuro
How Macuro Started
Macuro began as a small mission-town in 1738. It was officially named San Carlos Barromeo de Macuro. More than 1,000 people lived there, growing cocoa and cotton.
A Busy Port Town
Later, in the late 1800s, the Venezuelan government decided to build a port in Macuro. This port would help transfer goods between ships. In 1903, President Cipriano Castro opened the Cristobal Colon port. Its deep waters were perfect for large ships. Macuro became very active and was even the capital of the Cristobal Colon Federal Territory.
However, in 1935, President Juan Vicente Gómez ordered the port to close. All the port equipment was moved to a nearby town called Güiria.
Seaplanes and Travel
In the early 1900s, seaplanes became a popular way to travel by air. The airline Pan Am used Macuro's calm bay as a stop. Passengers traveling to Trinidad would get off the seaplanes here. From Macuro, they would take a boat to the island, which was only a few miles away.
Getting Around Macuro
For a long time, Macuro could only be reached by sea. There were no roads connecting it to other places. But in the year 2000, a small road was finally built. This road connects Macuro to Güiria, which is about 65 kilometers (40 miles) away.
Life in Macuro Today
Today, Macuro has a population of under 2,400 people. The main source of jobs comes from a cement company. This company has a facility that extracts gypsum from the area. Fishing is also a very important activity for the town. Because there are not many job opportunities, many young men leave Macuro to find work elsewhere.
Famous People from Macuro
Luis Estaba, a well-known boxer, was born in the Macuro area.
Protecting the Area
Macuro is close to the island of Trinidad. Because of this, the National Guard has a small naval station in Macuro. They patrol the area to keep it safe.
Wildlife in Macuro
Every year, many sea turtles come to the beaches of Macuro. They lay their eggs there, helping new baby turtles hatch.
See also
In Spanish: Macuro para niños
