San Fernando de Apure

:For other similarly names places, see San Fernando.Infobox City |official_name = San Fernando de Apure
nickname = "Ciudad de la Esperanza"
(English:"City of Hope")
motto = "none" "
website = [http://sanfernando-apure.gov.ve/ Alcaldía de San Fernando]


image_caption = Bridge over the Apure River

---

image_

pushpin_

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = Counties
subdivision_name = Venezuela
subdivision_name1 = Apure
subdivision_name2 = San Fernando
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Armando Arévalo Soto (2004 – 2008)
area_magnitude =
area_total_sq_mi =
area_total_km2 = 5982
calling code =
population_as_of = 2001
population_total = 175.056
population_urban =
population_density_sq_mi =
population_density_km2 =
elevation_m = 47
elevation_ft =
latd = 7
latm = 894
lats =
latNS = N
longd = -67
longm = 473
longs =
longEW = W
footnotes =

San Fernando de Apure is a city in Apure State, Venezuela. The population of the municipality area is 175.056 (est. 2001). The Eighteenth Century exports included heron feathers (for pens) and animal hides.

The bridge across the Rio Apure at San Fernando commenced construction in 1959 under the direction of President Rómulo Betancourt, and was opened February 1, 1961. It cost 8.5 million bolivars. Notable is the Casa de Bolivar, a National Historical Monument, at the intersection of Comercio St. and Independencia St. It is the 18th Century Armory, and was the dwelling of General Miguel Gerrero. Now it contains a public library as well as the cultural offices of the municipality. It was restored in 1983.

History

It was founded February 28, 1788 on the banks of the Rio Apure, Apure River, by Don Fernando de Miyares González, the Governor and Capitán General of Barinas Province, New Granada, with the assistance of Don Juan Antonio Rodríguez and the Capuchine monk Fray Buenaventura de Benaocaz. On December 1, 1793 it was elevated to the status of a town (Villa).

In 1831 a private school for young men was opened by Juan Castellano; in 1844 classes for younger children were added; in 1875 the Federal High School (el Colegio Federal de Segunda Categoría) was opened; and at the end of the 19th century the Federal School Leon XIII was opened.

In 1912 the "Codazzi" Federal School is founded, in 1914 the "Cagigal" School, in 1931 is created the "Miranda" School, first institute of High school in the city, that later transformed into the Grammar school "Lazo Martí", then in 1953 was created the Sacred Family School, in 1964 the School of Plastic Arts "Juan Lovera".

The studies of Superior Education, begin in 1976 with the creation of the Apure Nucleus of the "Simón Rodriguez University", continuing with the beginning of workings of the "Experimental National University of the Western Plains", in 1977, and the Local Center of the "National Open University" in 1978. At the present time works, in addition to the mentioned, extensions of the "Libertador Pedagogical Experimental University", "University of Carabobo", "Bicentennial University of Aragua" and the "José María Vargas University".

Also the city, has been cultural center, of folkloric manifestations, being: Ignacio Figueredo, "Carmelo Aracas, Ramon García, Urbino Ruiz, Marcelino Castillo, Felix Marchena, Omar Moreno, Manuel Luna", Eneas Perdomo, El Carrao de Palmarito, "Francisco Montoya, Isabelita Aparicio, Pedro Gamarra" and Cristóbal Jiménez, among others, representatives of the most important musical manifestation of the region and the country, the Joropo, along with the harp, the cuatro and maracas, is part of the history of San Fernando de Apure. [http://sanfernando-apure.gov.ve/portal-alcaldias/historia2.html?id=135 History of San Fernando de Apure] ]

Law and government

San Fernando de Apure has one municipality: "San Fernando Municipality", Venezuelan law specifies that municipal governments have four main functions: executive, legislative, comptroller, and planning. The executive function is managed by the mayor, who is in charge of representing the municipality's administration. The legislative branch is represented by the Municipal Council, composed of seven councillors, charged with the deliberation of new decrees and local laws. The comptroller tasks are managed by the municipal comptroller's office, which oversees accountancy. Finally, planning is represented by the Local Public Planning Council, which manages development projects for the municipality. [http://www.cne.gov.ve/documentos/sistemaelectoral08.php Law and government] ]

Geography and climate

San Fernando de Apure is recognized in Venezuela, to be a very warm locality by its location in the center of the Venezuelan plains. The annual average is between 22 °C and 30 °C. Nevertheless it is easily bearable. The humidity can reach more to 79%, or due to its location next to the Apure River that in its closer point of the city covers up to 300 meters wide in its channel. The relief of San Fernando is totally a plain. Natural land elevations do not exist, and the visibility of the horizon can reach up to 10 km. Some high barriers can be artificially by engineer installations for the prevention of floods. The city is established on humid grounds, reason why civil constructions superior to 5 levels are not admitted. In this sense, San Fernando projects a flat skyline. [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Fernando_de_Apure Geography and climate] ]

Hydrography

The municipality that conforms "San Fernando de Apure", limits to the east with the Orinoco river, and to the north with the Apure River, also there are other rivers that end in the Apure or the Orinoco, some of them are: Rivers: Arichuna River, Cunaviche River, Payara River, Among others. Sewers: "Atamaiquita sewer", "Mangía sewer", Among others. Lakes: in the city there are few lakes, "Macanilla lake" is one of them, and simultaneously it is the greatest lake of the San Fernando municipality, is located to the south of the municipality, to the north of the population of "El Caimán". [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Municipio_San_Fernando_%28Apure%2C_Venezuela%29 Hidrography] ]

atellite towns of San Fernando

Demographics

The city is conformed by three urban nucleus: San Fernando de Apure, who covers all the metropolitan area in both shores of the Apure River, the satellite town of Biruaca to the west, which conforms another political jurisdiction, and to the east "El Recreo" parish. In agreement with the 2001 Venezuelan census, the urban area of San Fernando was conformed by 175.056 inhabitants, having Biruaca an intercensal rate of the 69,4% relative growth, and San Fernando the 36,1%. San Fernando lifestyle varies according the zone, wealth and age. Many young people of the metropolitan area characterize themselves to assume an urban style with fort influence of nonown cultures of the locality, reflecting in first term North America lifestyle, and soon expressions of the north region of Venezuela (mainly, Caracas lifestyle). The adult population of the city is charged of a mixed style, that goes from traditional llanero customs, to the nonown. In certain groups of the greater adult population a traditional lifestyle is present, with typical characteristics of the region. Towards in the peripheral zones of the city, can be appreciated very rustic customs and traditions, with little impact of nonown cultures. [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Fernando_de_Apure Demographics] ]

Parishes

*"El Recreo"
*"Peñalver"
*"San Fernando"
*"San Rafael de Atamaica"

Economy

The city host the political and administrative seat of the Apure state. Being the government and the public administration its main economic activity, followed by the Education sector. The city is the main financial establishment of the state, whose first activity is the Cattle ranch and Agriculture, in this sense, mainly the bovine and pig cattle ranch, with production of meat, milk and cheese, in the Agriculture, the main products are beans, cotton, banana, maize and yucca. On the other hand, fishing, is a traditional activity, but only reduced to the local market. [http://www.mipunto.com/venezuelavirtual/000/002/015.html Economy] ] Although it has many wealth in that area, San Fernando has one of the higher index of poverty of the state capitals in Venezuela, with a 44.49% of poor population according to the 2001 census. [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Fernando_de_Apure Economy] ]

Culture

*San Fernando de Apure, maintains between its folkloric traditions:

Calendas of San Fernando

Is the popular folkloric dance of San Fernando de Apure, since 1997, each May 30, great dolls (Calendas), dance by the streets in the day of its Patron Saint, Ferdinand III of Castile, like a tribute to him and god. Calenda is synonymous of special celebrations or dates. It is a word coming from Latin kalendae, according to the Real Academia Española, this word means "first day of the month", the same from where the word "Calendario" (English: Calendar) comes. [http://www.venezuelasite.com/portal/Detalles/10900.html Calendas of San Fernando] ]

The Joropo

Is a musical style resembling the waltz, and an accompanying dance, having African and European influences, is played with the "arpa llanera" (harp), "bandola", "cuatro", and "maracas", making use of polyrhythmic patterns, especially of hemiola, and alternation of 3/4 and 6/8 tempos. It was originally played, most often also sung, by the "llaneros", and thus also called música llanera. The singer and the harp or bandola may perform the main melody while a cuatro performs the accompaniment, adding its characteristic rhythmic, sharp percussive effect. The cuatro and the bandola are four-stringed instruments which are descendants of the Spanish guitar. The only real percussion instruments used are the maracas. Besides the genre and dance, the name "joropo" also means the performance, the event or occasion of performance

ites of interest

Barbarito Palace

Considered the most important and classical building of the city, it is located in front of the Plaza Camejo. It was constructed by Italian immigrants, as a residence and factory, at the beginning of the XX century. It was an Export Center to Europe and the United States, and was the scene of several robberies and murders due to the immense value of the merchandise held there. Today, the Barbarito Palace has been restored and houses a museum where original mosaics can be observed. [http://www.mipunto.com/venezuelavirtual/000/002/015/001/008.html Barbarito Palace] ]

an Fernando Cathedral

This Cathedral, was planned by the German architect "Robert Klein", and constructed by the engineer "Manuel Pérez Marcano", in a lapse of ten years. The works began in 1959, under the sponsorship of the Municipal Council of San Fernando and the Apure state government, Once concluded, it was consecrated on February 28, 1969, in the anniversary of the foundation of the city, by Monsignor "Felice Pirozzi". [http://www.portalapure.com/La%20Catedral.htm San Fernando Cathedral] ]

Colleges and universities

*San Fernando, is the main educative center of Apure, the city homes the majority of universities with seat in the state, some of them are:

imón Rodríguez University

("Universidad Simón Rodríguez") or USR, is a public institution with seat in Caracas, having since 1976 a nucleus in San Fernando. This university was born with the Nucleus of Caricuao, Caracas, on October, 1971, by a decreed of the president Rafael Caldera, for the creation of a new university in the Capital Region. The Organizing Commission constituted with seven members, all designated by the executive. On July, 1976, the institution adopt an administrative conformation, that implies hierarchies and a vertical organization, then the university expand to other regions. [http://www.unesr.edu.ve/ Simón Rodríguez University] ]

Ezequiel Zamora Experimental National University of the Western Plains

("Universidad Nacional Experimental de los Llanos Occidentales Ezquiel Zamora") or UNELLEZ, is a public institution, with nucleus in San Fernando, since 1977. Has like mission, to look for, and apply the knowledge for the integral formation of the citizens, taking in consideration their personal interests, the interests of the local and regional community, and the interests of the nation, contributing with the development and transformation of Venezuela. [http://www.unellez.edu.ve/universidad/universidad_mision_vision_obj.php Ezequiel Zamora Experimental National University of the Western Plains] ]

Other universities

* [http://www.uba.edu.ve/index.htm Bicentennial University of Aragua]
* [http://www.ujmv.edu/cepd_net/ujmv_net/ José María Vargas University]
* [http://www.uc.edu.ve/ University of Carabobo]
* [http://www.una.edu.ve/ National Open University]
* [http://www.upel.edu.ve/ Libertador Pedagogical Experimental University]
* [http://www.unefa.edu.ve/ Experimental National University of the Armed Forces]

See also

*Venezuela
*Apure state
*List of cities in Venezuela

References

* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/VE/3/San_Fernando_Apure.html FallingRain Map - elevation = 26m]

External links

* [http://sanfernando-apure.gov.ve/portal-alcaldias/historia2.html?id=135 Historia del Municipio San Fernando de Apure] in Spanish.
* [http://www.venezuelatuya.com/llanos/sanfernando.htm "San Fernando de Apure" Venezuela Tuya] in Spanish.