The History

Historical Events in Vargas

Between the year 1,000 before Christ and the year 1,500 of the Christian era, there was a period of 2,500 years where the Arawacos Indians controlled the country from the amazon in the south to the Caribbean in the north. They were eventually replaced toward the east by the Caribes Indians, who came from the south and the east.

The Caribes established themselves in the mountainous regions on the north of Venezuela, from the Gulf of Paria to the depression area of Yarcuy. This area was integrated by various tribes of which the Caracas, the Teques, the Píritus, the Cumanagotos and the Chaimas were prominent. The Caracas were in reality a mixture of Arawacos and Caribes and were considered a nation. They populated the coastal areas and their name comes from a herbal plant with large leaves. The plant was very common in the area between Catia La Mar and Los Caracas.

It was the Caribes who, filled with anger and pride, gathered together in 1556 in Macuto under the command of supreme Guaicamacuto to resist being overrun by the Spanish Conquistadors. The Spanish brought slavery, desolation and death to the legitimate owners of the lands.

At one time there consisted a new social-economic-cultural unity under the Spanish. It was during this time that La Guaira was the target of the English pirates who tried many times to establish a beachhead to invade not only Venezuela but also all of South America. They seriously threaten the economic and cultural integrity of the country.

Other significant events and people were Amyas Preston who arrived to Macuto in 1595; Francisco Esteban Gramont who arrived in the Puerto de La Guaira on June 26, 1680; and Commander Charles Knowles, who sent a powerful show of force of 19 British Marine ships, intending to land in La Guaira on the 2 day of March 1743, in a spectacular battle, the British lost 600 men and their last chance to invade South America. During this battle the Guaireños saved not only a nation but also possible a whole continent from being overrun.

Vargas was actively involved in the fight for national independence. They were the first ones to give in to the independence movement on April 20, 1810. Since winning independence with the rest of the nation, Vargas has had three sons become presidents: Vargas, Soublette and Narvarte.

Vargas Today

The state of Vargas, named after the man Doctor José María Vargas, is a located in the central coastal region of Venezuela. Vargas is bordered on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by the Metropolitan District and the state of Miranda. On the east, Vargas is bordered by the state of Miranda and on the west by the Metropolitan District and the state of Aragua. Vargas boasts of being the newest state in Venezuela, the 24th. . On July 3, 1998 it became the Vargas Federal Territory and on December 311, 1998 it became the State of Vargas. Its total population is currently estimated by OCEI to be 310,000 inhabitants. Just along the southern edge of the state is the national park, called El Avila, with it's tallest peak at 9,069 feet. The economic activity of the state before the flood was comprised of agriculture, fishing, tourism, services and commerce. The state has an average year around temperature of 82°F degrees and a rainy season which extends from September to November. There are light rains in December and January.

Before the tragedy, it was largely inhabited by the popular class but was a weekend recreation place for the middle and upper classes of Caracas, which owned many of the nice apartments and residences along the coast. La Guaira was considered to be the door to Venezuela, being the customs entry port of incoming goods. Founded in 1589 by Diego de Osorio, it was first called San Pedro de La Guaira and was the first port of the country. In 1864 it became part of the Federal District. As of December 14, 1999 its population was estimated to be around 30,000 inhabitants. Being located just 15.5 miles from the nation's capital; its main freeway is the autopista, which connects it to Caracas and the rest of the country. La Guaira's rainy season is considered to be from September to January. There are 2 famous Catholic Churches located in La Guaira, Catedral de La Guaira (Iglesia de San Pedro Apóstol), which was restored in 1857 after being destroyed in 1812, and Ermita del Carmen, which was restored in the late 70's.