Cumaná, Administrative center in Piar Municipality, Venezuela
Cumaná sits on the northern coast of Venezuela in Sucre state and serves as the administrative capital of the region. The city spreads along the Gulf of Cariaco, connecting the Caribbean coastal zone with the mountainous interior.
Spanish conquistadors established the settlement in 1515, making it the oldest continuously inhabited European city on the South American mainland. Several earthquakes destroyed much of the original colonial architecture over the centuries.
The name Upata originates from the Kamaracoto indigenous language, translating to Rose of the Mountain, referring to a tribal chief's daughter.
Most important administrative buildings and services are located in the central urban area, which is easy to explore on foot. Tropical climate prevails year-round, with coastal breezes offering relief during the afternoon hours.
The local market along the waterfront offers fresh fish directly from boats that dock at the nearby harbor each morning. Vendors also sell handmade hammocks crafted in surrounding villages using traditional methods.
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