OVERVIEW OF CARACAS, VENEZUELA Caracas (Spanish pronunciation: (kaakas), officially Santiago de Len de Caracas, is the capital and largest

city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English (Spains: caraqueos). It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range (Cordillera de la Costa). Terrain suitable for building lies between 760 and 910 m (2,493.44 and 2,985.56 ft) above sea level. The valley is close to the Carribean Sea, separated from the coast by a steep 2200 m (7400 ft) high mountain range, Cerro vila (Mount Avila, and impressive mountain); to the south there are more hills and mountains. Caracas, a city of great diversity, offers visitors a wide range of scenery. The different areas of the city make it an exciting and interesting metropolis where tradition and modernism become one. With a population around 4 million, Caracas is the capital and more populated city in Venezuela.

CARACAS CURRENCY The currency is the Bolivar Fuerte. The official exchange rate is 4.3 Bolivares to the US Dollar.

CARACAS PEOPLES Caracas is a city of migrants and immigrants from all over the world; its people are mestizos, coupled with immigrants from Italy, Portugal, and many Latin American countries. The breakdown of the Venezuelan population is approximately 80 percent mestizos (of mixed European, Indian and African ancestry), 20 percent white, eight percent black, and two percent Indian. Caraqueos (the people of Caracas) reflect the same breakdown and are proud of their modern, cosmopolitan city. They too reflect the sophistication and modernity for which their city is known. Since Caracas is the business and political capital of the country, people generally dress up more than in the smaller cities. The people of Caracas also present contrasting imageswhile on one hand the city is full of many (often wealthy) professionals, it is a also a city surrounded by slums and a poverty-

stricken, struggling lower class. Many rural people emigrate here for work, and the class differences of rich and poor are clear to most visitors upon looking up the hillsides at the slums that occupy them. CARACAS TRANSPORTATION There are road connections to Venezuela from Colombia and Brazil but most people are likely to arrive in Caracas by air. Trains are available but unpredictable, and there is also a limited ferry access into the country. Arriving by Air Caracas Maiqueta International Airport (Simn Bolvar) serves the city with international flights. Maiqueta's Simn Bolvar Airport has three passenger terminals (Internacional, Nacional and Auxiliar) and is 25 km away from central Caracas via a highway through the coastal mountains. A new road bridge, replacing one that collapsed in 2006, came into service in July 2007, ending months of tortuous journeys to and from the airport. The trip to Caracas should now take around 40 minutes or up to 60-70 minutes during rush hour.

By car Nice and pretty highways connect Caracas with La Guaira and the airport to the north; Maracay, Valencia and Maracaibo in the west; Barcelona and Puerto La Cruz in the east. While driving in Caracas can be a hectic experience, renting a car to experience the outlying areas is a wonderful way to leave behind the well-traveled routes. By bus The La Bandera bus terminal connects Caracas with towns and cities to the west of the capital such as La Victoria (1 hour), Maracay (1.5 hours), Valencia (2.5 hours) and Merida (~12 hours). The 800m walk from La Bandera metro station to the bus terminal is unsafe after dark and travelers should exercise caution at all times. For the eastern part of the country there's the Terminal del Oriente. Beware of the small "independent" bus services which are announced by "voceros" on both terminals. Although they have more flexible departure times, the buses can be small and uncomfortable, with speakers that blast loud music even at night.

Getting Around Caracas Caracas has an extensive and efficient metro system; buses and taxis are also available. Taxis can be easily hailed in the street and are generally (but not always) safe. They have no meters so prices should be agreed on before getting in. Some reports indicate that the situation has improved and there are fixed rates posted. Caracas traffic is notoriously bad and the metro is a better option if your destination is conveniently located near a station. Licensed taxis have yellow plates and while some private cars with white plates are taxis too, its generally safer to take a licensed cab.

The Caracas metro is clean, modern, safe and extremely cheap. Because prices have changed little in recent years and bus fares have outpaced inflation, the metro is frequently overcrowded, particularly during peak hours. The metro system is backed up by a network of metrobuses that depart from certain metro stations and take fixed routes to areas of the city not reached by the underground. Like the metro, metrobuses are cheap and clean, but passengers complain of bus shortages. Most services run only about every 20 minutes. The buses have fixed stops and will not pick up passengers elsewhere.

CARACAS WEATHER Caracas has a tropical climate. Summer temperatures range between 18C and 29C (64F and 84F) and winter temperatures between 16C and 27C (60F and 81F). The dry season runs from December to April and the rainy season from May to November. CARACAS LANDMARKS Caracas, has been a city with great cultural aspirations throughout the course of its history. Institutions such as the old Atheneum bear witness to this awareness. The National library holds a great amount of volumes, and affords abundant bibliographic information for the student of the discovery and independence of Venezuela.

The museum of Colonial Art has on show an interesting exhibition of Venezuelan art from the periods previous to its independence with fountains, furniture, colonial courtyards etc.

In the Fine Arts Museum are kept some archaeological finds with some good examples of precolombine pottery.

The city is filled with centros comerciales and department stores, and the popular restaurants and clubs in the towering malls due to security concerns. In the San Ignacio Mall youll find the citys

young, rich and beautiful drinking whiskey

S Ig an nacio Mall
can find the citys young, rich and beautiful drinking whiskey

Las Mercedes and La Castellana districts are also popular late night hot spots. Las Mercedes is the largest district for shopping and leisure in Latin America. It is located at the Baruta Municipality, Caracas. Las Mercedes One of Caracas' most cosmopolitan areas, Las Mercedes offers up bars, restaurants and nightclubs sure to please those looking for excitement. Popular with Caracas youth, the area also offers exclusive shopping opportunities for those with a flair for fashion. People often party until 4 or 5 oclock in the morning, so its advisable to take a cab when heading out.

Parque Central Innovation, architecture, art and culture, and the country's two highest towers - if there is any place that shows how modern Caracas is, it is El Parque Central . Located less than a mile to the southeast of La Plaza Bolvar , the park contains a concrete structure with two 53-floor octagonal towers and residential buildings. However, if it is not architecture and structural designs, but rather culture that takes your interest, you will be pleasantly surprised to find a great number of art centers here. In the Complejo Cultural Teresa Carreo , the arts reach their utmost expression, through theater, dance, concerts and ballet performances among others.

La Plaza Bolivar
Caracas' city center displays statues of Simn Bolivar, honoring one of Caracas' important leaders who succeeded in liberating the area from Spanish rule.

Federal Capitol

A building taking up an entire Caracas city block, the incredible golden domes and neoclassical pediments are a superb introduction to some of Caracas' finest architecture.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITY Central University of Venezuela The Central University of Venezuela (Universidad Central de Venezuela in Spanish) is a public University. Founded in 1721, it is the oldest university in Venezuela and one of the first in Latin America. The university campus was designed by architect Carlos Ral Villanueva and it was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 2000. The Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas, as the main Campus is also known, is considered a masterpiece of architecture and urban planning and it is the only university campus designed in the 20th century that has received such recognition by UNESCO.

Simn Bolvar University The Simn Bolvar University (Universidad Simn Bolvar, in Spanish, or USB) is a public institution located in Caracas, Venezuela, with scientific and technological orientation. Its motto is "La Universidad de la Excelencia" ("University of Excellence"). Both nationally and globally, Simn

Bolvar University is a well-known school with a high reputation in scientific and engineering careers.

TYPICAL FOOD OF CARACAS To talk about Caracas typical food is to talk about the arepa. This plate is part of the local culture and everyday meals; its preparation goes all the way back to the regions ancient indigenous ancestors, whom ground and cooked maize flour, and either grill or fry the round-shaped result to create this meal; theyre usually stuffed with cheese and butter, carne mechada or ham. A freshly-grilled arepa, stuffed with delicious cheese from Apure or Guayana, represents a wonderful typical and local breakfast.

Another dish that is consumed much since the colonial era and remains very popular, is pabellon criollo, a meal that is composed of white rice, carne mechada, refried beans (stewed and fried lightly in oil or butter), tajadas of fried ripe banana and white cheese and is commonly served with spaghetti and arepas.

In Caracas is very common to see many street vendors called chicheros, because of the beverage they offer, chicha. This is a thick drink made up of rice and milk, commonly enjoyed with cinnamon and ice. A beverage that is often confused with chicha is the carato, a drink that is prepared with pieces of casaba, dough or yucca flour boiled in water. It is refreshing, nutritive and many times enjoyed with other herbs or flavors to make it more appetizing.