Maracay, Industrial metropolis in Aragua State, Venezuela
Maracay is a large city in the central highlands of Aragua State, Venezuela, spreading between mountains and plains. The urban area sits along the main highway that connects the coast with inland regions, crossed by avenues and tree-lined streets.
The settlement was founded in 1701 as a small village and grew in the 1740s with indigo farming. Between 1908 and 1935, the city expanded rapidly when Juan Vicente Gómez made it the national capital and built many public works.
The name honors a local leader from the Aragua people who lived here before Spanish arrival. Streets in the center still show buildings from the early 20th century, when the city served briefly as the national capital.
The location along the main highway makes the city a hub for traveling to other regions of Venezuela. Two airports nearby provide additional connections for longer distances.
A national park borders the northern edge of the city and separates the built area from the Caribbean coast. The proximity to mountain slopes creates a cooler climate than in lower coastal towns.
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