San Cristóbal, Táchira facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
San Cristóbal
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     From top to left: Panoramic view, circus near the Sambil shopping center, San Cristobal Cathedral, Seventh Avenue and Táchira Catholic University.
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| Nickname(s):
"La Ciudad de la Cordialidad"
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| Motto(s):
"Por un Táchira Bonito"
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.svg)
 San Cristóbal, Táchira
Location in Venezuela
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| Country |  Venezuela |
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| State | Táchira | ||
| Municipality | San Cristóbal Municipality | ||
| Founded | March 31, 1561 | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 247 km2 (95 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 860 m (2,820 ft) | ||
| Population
(2015)
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| • Total | 282,830 | ||
| • Density | 2,615.7/km2 (1,634.4/sq mi) | ||
| • Demonym | Sancristobalense | ||
| Time zone | UTC−4 (VET) | ||
| Climate | Aw | ||
| Website | http://sancristobal-tachira.gob.ve | ||
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San Cristóbal is the main city, or capital, of the Táchira state in Venezuela. It's found in the mountains of western Venezuela. The city sits high up, about 818 meters (2,684 feet) above sea level, in the northern Andes mountains. It's near the Torbes River and about 56 kilometers (35 miles) from the border with Colombia.
Juan de Maldonado founded San Cristóbal on March 31, 1561. From the start, the city grew quickly. It became a very important place for trade in the country and the region. This was mainly because of its rich soil and its closeness to the border with Colombia.
In 1875, a big earthquake, known as the Earthquake of Cúcuta, badly damaged the city. San Cristóbal is located on the Pan-American Highway, a major road system.
Contents
Learning in San Cristóbal
San Cristóbal has many students. There are lots of colleges and universities, both public and private. These schools offer higher education after high school.
Here are some of the main universities and institutes:
- Universidad Nacional Experimental del Táchira (UNET)
- Universidad de los Andes (ULA)
- Universidad Católica del Táchira (UCAT)
- Universidad Nacional Experimental de las Fuerzas Amadas (UNEFA)
- Universidad Nacional Abierta (UNA)
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Agro Industrial (IUTAI)
- Instituto Universitario Politecnico Santiago Mariño
- Instituto Universitario Antonio Jose de Sucre
- Instituto Universitario Monseñor Talavera
- Instituto Universitario Jesus Enrique Lozada
- Instituto Universitario de Tecnología Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonzo (IUTEPAL)
San Cristóbal's Economy
San Cristóbal is the capital of the Táchira State. People from Táchira are known for being hardworking and friendly. They also care a lot about their history, religion, and local traditions.
The main jobs here are in agriculture. Farmers grow a lot of coffee, sugar, and vegetables. Other important industries include raising cattle for meat production. They also make things like shoes, baskets, and ceramics.
Did you know that the first oil wells in Venezuela were dug in Táchira State? This happened in 1875 near Rubio. Back then, people dug for oil by hand with buckets!
San Cristóbal is a big center for trade, transport, and industry. They produce Textiles, leather items, cement, and tobacco. They also export coffee, sugar, pineapples, and corn.
The service industry is also strong. Many national banks have branches in the city. San Cristóbal is also home to Sofitasa, an important bank that helps fund many projects in the region. Leche Táchira, a big dairy company, is also based here.
Sports in San Cristóbal
Deportivo Táchira Fútbol Club is a famous football (soccer) club. It is located in San Cristóbal and is often just called Deportivo Táchira.
City Buildings and Design
San Cristóbal has many interesting buildings. You can see "wedding cake" and modern styles in places like the Universidad Nacional Abierta. Another example is La Casa Antigua, an old Spanish-style building with many decorations.
La Entrada Central is the only part left of the old Hospital Vargas. It shows how buildings used to look. Some of the most famous churches include La Iglesia El Angel, the Gothic-style church San José, and the El Santuario Church.
Getting Around San Cristóbal
There are three airports that serve Táchira State and San Cristóbal. These are Juan Vicente Gómez International Airport in San Antonio, Mayor Buenaventura Vivas Airport in Santo Domingo del Táchira, and La Fría Airport in La Fría.
There is also a bus station in the La Concordia neighborhood. Buses, taxis, and other vehicles arrive and leave from here every day.
Famous People from San Cristóbal
Many notable people come from San Cristóbal:
- Rafael de Nogales Méndez, a soldier and writer
- Isaías Medina Angarita, a military leader and former president of Venezuela
- Manuel Felipe Rugeles, a poet and journalist
- Joel Casique, an artist
- Luis Felipe Ramón y Rivera, a folklorist and musician
- Francisco Arias Cárdenas, a former governor and ambassador
- Martín Marciales Moncada, an entrepreneur and helper of others
- Giancarlo Maldonado, a football (soccer) player
- Marco Antonio Rivera Useche, a musician and composer
- Tomás Rincón, a football (soccer) player
- Júnior Moreno, a football (soccer) player
- Édgar Ramírez, an actor
- Mikel Villanueva, a football (soccer) player
Fun Places to Visit
One of the most exciting events is the Feria Internacional de San Sebastián. This fair happens every year in Pueblo Nuevo, near the football club's grounds. It takes place at the end of January.
The fair includes bullfighting, sports like the Vuelta al Táchira (a bicycle race), art shows, and agricultural fairs. Small shops and restaurants nearby do very well during this time.
Other places to visit in and around San Cristóbal include:
- All the squares and parks in the city.
- The charming old towns of San Pedro del Río and Peribeca. These towns are beautifully decorated during Christmas.
- San Antonio de Táchira, a busy town near the border with Colombia.
- Palmira and Abejales, known for their sugar cane baskets.
- El Topón, a typical farming town.
- The Chorro el Indio waterfall, a great place to enjoy nature.
Plaza de los Mangos in Barrio Obrero is a popular spot for young people. It's a green square with music shops, clothing stores, mini-malls, nightclubs, and ice cream shops. It's a busy place for youth activities.
Major Events
The Feria Internacional de San Sebastian is the biggest fair in the country. It happens every year at the end of January. You can find animal, agricultural, industrial, and commercial trade there.
Gallery Images
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Ermita Church
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El Angel Church
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San Cristóbal from the hills
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El Santuario Church
San Cristóbal's Global Connections
Twin Cities Around the World
San Cristóbal has special connections, called "twin city" relationships, with these cities:
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See also
In Spanish: San Cristóbal (Venezuela) para niños
