Yaracuy, State in northwestern Venezuela
This state in northwestern Venezuela lies between the Segovia Highlands and the central mountain range. The fertile valley of the Yaracuy River runs at around 267 meters (875 feet) above sea level and forms the agricultural center of the region.
Explorer Nicolás Federman crossed this area in 1530 and named it Valle de las Damas, before it became a Spanish province. The state received its current form and name in 1899, after the river that runs through the territory.
The Maria Lionza devotion shapes religious life across this region, with many believers making pilgrimages to Sorte Mountain to perform rituals. On festival days, groups of followers gather and hold ceremonies that combine elements from indigenous, Catholic and Afro-American traditions.
The Pan-American Highway links the capital San Felipe with Puerto Cabello to the northeast and Barquisimeto to the southwest, providing access to major towns. Visitors exploring the region should plan to use a vehicle, as many areas lie away from the main road.
The Jirajaras, Guayones and Caquetíos were the first inhabitants of this area and lived from hunting, fishing and growing corn and cassava. Some of their descendants today still preserve techniques for making pottery and processing plant fibers, which they pass on to visitors in small workshops.
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