Villanueva, Casanare facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Villanueva, Casanare
Municipality and town
Flag Seal
Location of the municipality and town of Villanueva, Casanare in the Casanare Department of Colombia.
Country	Colombia
Department	Casanare Department
Population  (Census 2018)
• Total	31,727
Time zone	UTC-5 (Colombia Standard Time)

Villanueva is a town and a municipality in the Casanare Department of Colombia. It is a place that is growing quickly, with new buildings and areas being developed all the time. Even though Villanueva is one of the newer towns in its region, it has a strong and successful economy. People living in Villanueva love to take part in and celebrate the traditional Llano culture of Colombia.

History of Villanueva

Villanueva is the newest town in the Casanare department. It was first officially mentioned on November 13, 1962. The very first person to live there was Idelfonso López. He, along with other families, helped start the community. These founding families included the Arévalo, Barreto, Duque, Espinosa, Salgado, Segura, Mora, Vera, Mendoza, Daza, Rodríguez, and Doncel families.

The first house in Villanueva was built by Idelfonso López in 1963. He used materials like moriche (a type of palm tree) and bahareque (a mix of mud and straw). In the same year, the town's first school opened on July 28, 1963. Misaelina Vargas Salinas was the first teacher. Also, plans for the first market square, now called Parque de los Fundadores, were made in 1962.

At first, land in Villanueva was given away for free to encourage people to move there. Over time, as the town grew, the land became more valuable. Villanueva started as a small village with just a few houses and a school. Today, it has grown to include 20 neighborhoods in its main area. It also has 22 smaller villages and three larger areas called townships: Caribayona, San Agustin, and Santa Helena del Upia.

Villanueva's Economy

Even though Villanueva is the youngest municipality in Casanare, its economy is very strong. Farming is the most important part of its economy. Key farm products include rice, cotton, yucca, and wood. Raising livestock (farm animals like cows) is also a big part of the economy.

The town has a rice mill that processes the rice grown nearby. Villanueva is also home to three large palm oil companies: Palmar del Oriente, Palmas Casanare, and Palmas Santana. These companies produce palm oil, which is used in many products.

Another important part of Villanueva's economy is distributing local products. These products are either sent for more processing or sold directly to people. Livestock farming is very common, with ranches ranging from 100 to 2,000 hectares in size. Villanueva's economy also benefits from smaller industries. These include soybeans, cotton, bananas, cassava, citrus fruits, wood products, and cattle.

Education in Villanueva

Most schools in Villanueva are public schools. The most well-known ones are Ezequiel Moreno y Díaz, Fabio Riveros, and Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Manare. These schools have different branches to teach students of all ages. Their influence reaches out to nearby villages and rural areas.

Besides public schools, there are also several private schools. These include Lontananza Institution, Maria Montessori Educational Foundation, and Grandes Sabios. The M&M Foundation Forming Leaders also offers extra education in Villanueva. However, it is not officially recognized by the Secretary of Education.

Villanueva's Culture

Villanueva's culture is a mix of different influences. The Boyacense culture from the mountains and the Llanera culture from the valleys are the most important. The town's main cultural event is the Colonias festival. This festival celebrates the anniversary of Villanueva's founding.

The Colonias festival shows off the many different cultures that live together in the town. It features traditional dances like the Joropo. There are also parades that represent various regions of Colombia. The festival includes concerts and other fun activities at night.

Traditional Cuisine

Villanueva is located in the Llanos Orientales region of Colombia. This area is famous for its cattle farming. Traditional dishes here often use beef and other local ingredients.

Some popular dishes include:

• Pisillo: This is dried and minced (finely chopped) meat.
• Sancocho: A hearty soup made with yucca, potatoes, plantains, beef, and pork.
• Hallacas: A dish made with chicken, beef, vegetables, and flour, often wrapped in banana leaves.
• Tungos: A dish made from rice flour, butter, and sour milk, also wrapped in banana leaves.

Parks to Explore

Villanueva has six parks for people to enjoy. The most famous one is the main park, which is located right in front of the town hall. Other parks include a playground near the central area, perfect for kids to play.

There is also the fire park, which is next to the fire station and the town's library. Additionally, you can find the Morichal, El Bosque, and Villaluz parks. These parks are located in the neighborhoods that share their names.

Climate and Weather

Villanueva has a warm climate. Days are usually hot, and there is a lot of rain throughout the year. The summer season typically runs from the beginning to the end of the calendar year. The rainy season usually starts in August. However, due to climate change, these seasons can sometimes be less predictable.

The average yearly temperature in Villanueva ranges from 22°C to 35°C (about 72°F to 95°F). The air also has high humidity levels, meaning it feels quite moist.

Famous People from Villanueva

• Braian Angola (born 1994): Braian is a basketball player. He plays for Hapoel Tel Aviv in the Israeli Basketball Premier League. He was born in Villanueva on April 6, 1994. Braian is well-known both in Colombia and around the world. He also runs a community project called Angola's Club. This club helps young athletes train and supports local sports facilities.
• Edgar Mauricio Gómez Sánchez (born 1993): Edgar is a Colombian soccer player. He plays as a midfielder for Patriotas de Boyacá in the top Colombian soccer league. He was born in Villanueva on December 21, 1993.

See also

In Spanish: Villanueva (Casanare) para niños