Maracay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maracay
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      Top:Maracay Municipal Garden and Las Delicias area, Second:Sindoni Tower, Los Tamarindo residential area and overview to Maracay, Third:Maestranza Cesar Giron Bullring Stadium, Girardot Square and Maracay Assumption Cathedral, Bottom:Night view of downtown Base Aragua area (all item of left to right)
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| Nickname(s):
"Ciudad Jardín"
(English: Garden City) |
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.svg)
 Maracay
Location in Venezuela
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| Country |  Venezuela |
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| State | Aragua | ||
| Municipality | Girardot | ||
| Founded | March 5, 1701 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 911.57 km2 (351.96 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 436 m (1,430 ft) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,302,000 | ||
| • Density | 1.439/km2 (3.73/sq mi) | ||
| • Demonym | Maracayero(a) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (VET) | ||
| Postal codes |
2101, 2102, 2103, 2104
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| Area code(s) | 0243 | ||
| Climate | Aw | ||
| Website | Alcaldía de Maracay | ||
| The area and population figures are for the municipality | |||
Maracay is a lively city in north-central Venezuela. It is located close to the Caribbean coast. Maracay is the capital and a very important city in the state of Aragua. Many people call it "Ciudad Jardín," which means "Garden City."
Contents
History of Maracay
Maracay was officially founded on March 5, 1701. Bishop Diego de Baños y Sotomayor established it in the valleys of Tocopio and Tapatapa. These areas are now known as the central valley of Aragua.
The city's name likely comes from a local Indigenous chief. It might also refer to the "Maracayo," a type of small wild cat. Another idea is that it comes from "Mara," a local aromatic tree.
Maracay grew very quickly when Juan Vicente Gómez was in charge (1908–1935). Gómez liked Maracay and made it his home. He ordered many buildings to be built. These included an Arc of Triumph and a bullfighting arena. He also built an Opera House, a Zoo, and the grand Hotel Jardín. This hotel had huge, beautiful gardens. Gómez is buried in Maracay at the Mausoleo de Gómez.
Economy and Transportation
Maracay is one of Venezuela's most important cities. It is a major center for industry and business. The city produces many goods like paper, textiles, and chemicals. It also makes tobacco products, cement, and processed foods. Raising cattle and cutting timber are also important activities. The Venezuelan Military also helps the city's economy.
The areas around Maracay are good for farming. Main crops include sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, and cocoa.
Maracay has good ways to get around. The city is connected to other major places by the Central Regional Highway. It also has access to Venezuela's national railway system. There is a special airport for seaplanes on the shore of Lake Valencia. The city does not have a subway yet, but one is being planned. Maracay has two airports: Mariscal Sucre Airport and the military El Libertador Air Base.
Climate
| Climate data for Maracay (1991–2020, extremes 1961–2020) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 36.7 (98.1) |
37.5 (99.5) |
38.5 (101.3) |
37.8 (100.0) |
38.5 (101.3) |
36.1 (97.0) |
39.4 (102.9) |
35.0 (95.0) |
34.8 (94.6) |
35.4 (95.7) |
35.1 (95.2) |
35.4 (95.7) |
39.4 (102.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 32.1 (89.8) |
32.8 (91.0) |
33.7 (92.7) |
33.5 (92.3) |
33.1 (91.6) |
32.1 (89.8) |
31.6 (88.9) |
31.4 (88.5) |
32.0 (89.6) |
32.2 (90.0) |
32.0 (89.6) |
32.0 (89.6) |
32.4 (90.3) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 24.7 (76.5) |
25.2 (77.4) |
26.3 (79.3) |
27.0 (80.6) |
27.1 (80.8) |
26.2 (79.2) |
25.6 (78.1) |
25.5 (77.9) |
26.1 (79.0) |
26.0 (78.8) |
25.7 (78.3) |
25.1 (77.2) |
25.9 (78.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 18.9 (66.0) |
19.3 (66.7) |
20.5 (68.9) |
21.9 (71.4) |
22.8 (73.0) |
22.1 (71.8) |
21.5 (70.7) |
21.8 (71.2) |
22.2 (72.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
21.6 (70.9) |
20.0 (68.0) |
21.2 (70.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 12.2 (54.0) |
12.0 (53.6) |
13.3 (55.9) |
13.9 (57.0) |
17.0 (62.6) |
16.6 (61.9) |
14.6 (58.3) |
15.3 (59.5) |
17.3 (63.1) |
14.5 (58.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
8.5 (47.3) |
8.5 (47.3) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 49.9 (1.96) |
28.4 (1.12) |
15.8 (0.62) |
59.6 (2.35) |
89.6 (3.53) |
124.6 (4.91) |
171.3 (6.74) |
194.0 (7.64) |
168.7 (6.64) |
181.0 (7.13) |
129.0 (5.08) |
88.1 (3.47) |
1,300 (51.18) |
| Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) | 2.0 | 1.2 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 7.2 | 10.1 | 12.4 | 13.6 | 10.5 | 10.6 | 6.8 | 4.1 | 83.8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 71 | 68 | 66 | 68 | 74 | 78 | 80 | 81 | 80 | 80 | 78 | 74 | 75 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 285.2 | 268.8 | 288.3 | 225.0 | 207.7 | 201.0 | 220.1 | 229.4 | 228.0 | 235.6 | 246.0 | 269.7 | 2,904.8 |
| Mean daily sunshine hours | 9.2 | 9.6 | 9.3 | 7.5 | 6.7 | 6.7 | 7.1 | 7.4 | 7.6 | 7.6 | 8.2 | 8.7 | 8.0 |
| Source: NOAA (sun 1961–1990) | |||||||||||||
Maracay has a tropical savanna climate. This means it has warm temperatures all year round. There is a wet season and a dry season.
Military Presence
Maracay has a strong military presence. It is known as the birthplace of Venezuelan aviation. The city is home to the country's two largest Air Force bases. Venezuela's F-16 fighter jets are based here. Newer Sukhoi-30MKEs are also stationed in Maracay.
Other military facilities include the Fourth Armored Division of the Army. There is also an airborne training center. The 42nd Airborne Brigade has barracks here. The government-owned ammunition and weapons factory, CAVIM, is also in Maracay. It makes Venezuelan versions of the FN FAL and AK-103 rifles. It also produces ammunition for these weapons.
Natural Reserves
The mountains north of Maracay are part of the Henri Pittier National Park. This park is named after Henri Pittier, a Swiss naturalist. The park is a lush rainforest. It is famous for its many types of ferns.
Two winding roads go through the park over the mountains to the coast. One road starts in the El Castaño area of the city. It leads to the beach town of Choroní. The other road starts in El Limón, in the northwest part of the city. It goes to Ocumare de la Costa and the beaches of Cata and Cuyagua.
Education and Culture
Maracay is home to parts of important universities. The Faculty of Veterinarians and Agronomy of the Universidad Central de Venezuela is here. There is also an extension of the Universidad de Carabobo.
The main campus of UNEFA, a military university open to civilians, is in Maracay. Students can study subjects like electronics and engineering.
Museums to Visit
Maracay has several interesting museums:
- The Anthropological Museum.
- The Aviation Museum.
- The Museum of Modern Arts "Mario Abreu".
- The Opera House.
Religion
The Patron Saint of Maracay is Saint Joseph.
The San Sebastian's Walk is a religious event. It happens every year on January 20th. People walk in the areas outside Maracay. It is a Catholic event that also celebrates nature and sport.
Sports
Maracay is home to the local baseball team, the Tigres de Aragua.
The city has a bullfighting arena called "Maestranza Cesar Girón." It is the only bullfighting school in Venezuela.
Mass Media
Maracay has its own TV stations and newspapers. You can also find information about Maracay online.
- TV Stations: TVS, TVR (Orbivisión), Color TV, TIC TV (Televisión Informativa del Centro), Novavisión TV, Aragua TV.
- Newspapers: El Aragüeño, El Periodiquito, El Siglo, El Impreso
- Maracay on the web: maracaycity.net, MaracayUp, Maracay Extrema, En Aragua, Ciudad Maracay
Famous People from Maracay
Many talented people come from Maracay, including:
- Bobby Abreu, baseball player
- Jesús Aguilar, baseball player
- Juan Arango, soccer player
- José Altuve, baseball player
- Elvis Andrus, baseball player
- La Divaza, YouTuber and singer
- Juan-Carlos Bianchi, tennis player
- Miguel Cabrera, baseball player
- Alberto Callaspo, baseball player
- David Concepción, baseball player
- Canserbero, rapper
- Kervin Castro, baseball player
- Yonathan Daza, baseball player
- Gaby Espino, actress, model and TV presenter
- César Girón, bullfighter
- Samin Gómez, racing driver
- Carlos Guillén, baseball player
- Gabriela Isler, Miss Universe 2013
- Luis Laguna, musician and songwriter
- Pilín León, Miss World 1981
- Alicia Machado, Miss Universe 1996
- Manuel Maldonado, racing driver
- Pastor Maldonado, Formula One driver
- Omar Narváez, baseball player
- Martín Prado, baseball player
- Sebastian Rivero, baseball player
- Maira Alexandra Rodriguez, Miss Earth Water 2014
- Aníbal Sánchez, baseball player
- Yolmer Sánchez, baseball player
- Jorge Valdivia, soccer player
Images for kids
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Statue of a bull in Las Delicias avenue
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Bolívar Square
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Universidad Avenue
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Henri Pittier National Park
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Arnoldo Gabaldón Institute
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Las Delicias Sports Center
See also
In Spanish: Maracay para niños
