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Ciudad Bolívar | Where to Stay | Out & About Ciudad Bolívar
The capital of the state of Bolívar is a tranquil city with a rich colonial history. The city was founded in 1764 as Santo Tomás de La Guayana de Angostura, later shortened to simply Angostura (which means "narrow"), because of its location at the narrowest width of the Orinoco River. It was in this city, on February 15, 1819, that Simón Bolívar instituted the Congreso de Angostura and where he first expressed his vision for a union of confederated Latin-American states. Twenty-seven years later, Congress named the city after the liberator. In the following century, Ciudad Bolívar became a strategic port from which goods from all parts of the interior were shipped to ports around the world.
Ciudad Bolívar evolved at the same pace as its sister city, Soledad, which is just across the Orinoco River. It wasn't until 1967 that the Puente Colgante de Angostura linked both cities; to this day, it remains the only bridge that spans the Orinoco.
Despite its 100,000 inhabitants, Ciudad Bolívar exhibits the feel of a small town. With temperatures that average 28C, siestas are a necessity for most residents. Afternoons are enjoyed socializing in the shade and promenading along the river. Most homes face the Orinoco, allowing their floor-to-ceiling windows to capture its cooling breezes.
The pier continues to be an important center of activity, with many small shops and artisans selling precious stones and gold pieces.
A point of historical interest is the Museo de Ciudad Bolívar, where the first government run newspaper "El Correo del Orinoco" was funded by Simon Bolívar and printed between 1818 and 1822. In the museum you'll find the original presses, as well as other antiques and period art pieces.
On Paseo Orinoco, you can reach la Plaza Bolívar. Here you'll find a statue which represents the five countries (Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia) liberated by Simon Bolívar. Next to the plaza is the cathedral, whose construction first began in 1765 and ended in 1840.
La Casa de las Gobernaciones de la Colonia is located on the western part of the plaza. First built to house the Spanish governors, is now home to the state government. Adjacent to it you'll find the beautiful Casa del Congreso de Angostura.
Close to Ciudad Bolívar, you'll find Ciudad Guayana, perhaps the only city in Venezuela conceived from the design of a master urban plan. Ciudad Guayana was founded in 1961, when the Corporation Venezolana de Guayana grouped the four smaller cities of Puerto Ordaz, San Felix, Matanzas, and Castillito.
Ciudad Guayana represents the center of energy generation in the country. The nearby Guri Dam, also called Raúl Leoni, is one of the largest hydroelectric plants in South America. The dam not only supplies clean, safe, electrical energy to 60% of Venezuela, but it also helps with the demands of neighboring countries. Other industries in the area include Siderurgica del Orinoco (SIDOR) which produces steel; BAUXIVEN, INTERALUMINA, VENALUM, and ALCASA, which work with aluminum; Electrificacion del Caroni (EDELCA) is responsible for hydroelectric energy; and Ferrominera del Orinoco, oversees operations in the extraction of iron.
The industrial park stands in contrast with the bougainvillea vines found along the medians of expressways, and with the 52 hectares of the Parque Cachamay, where one can admire the tumbling waters of the Caroni River and its "Salto La Llovizna".
Traveling further south of Ciudad Guayana, towards a passage called "La Escalera", will bring you within the boundaries of "La Gran Sabana".
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