Libertador Municipality, Mérida

Venezuelan Municipality
name= Libertador


skyline_photo= Catedral de Mérida, Venezuela.jpg
skyline_caption= Mérida Cathedral
country= Venezuela
state= Mérida
shiretown= Mérida
area= 803 km² (499 sq mi)
population= 232,011
year_estimate= 2007
population_density= 288.93/km² (465/sq mi)
mayor= Carlos León (MVR)
time_zone= VST ()
area_code(s)= 0274
website= http://libertador-merida.gob.ve/
website_name= libertador-merida.gob.ve

The Libertador Municipality is one of the 23 municipalities (municipios) that makes up the Venezuelan state of Mérida and, according to a 2007 population estimate by the National Institute of Statistics of Venezuela, the municipality has a population of 232,011. [http://www.ine.gob.ve/sintesisestadistica/estados/merida/cuadros/Poblacion6.xls] The city of Mérida is the shire town of the Libertador Municipality.http://www.ine.gob.ve/secciones/division/Merida.zip]

History

The city of Mérida was founded by Juan Rodríguez Suárez on October 9 1558 in one of the Pamplonian mining expeditions he lead. He named the city after his birthplace, Mérida. The first settlement of Mérida was not the current one but 30 km to the south, in Xamú, where today stands Lagunillas. Nevertheless, Rodríguez Suárez had to move the settlement in November 1559 to nearby El Punto (presently the Zumba area of Mérida), because of constant confrontations with the native neighboursEs icon [http://es.viajes.yahoo.com/p-guia_viaje-2218511-merida_historia-i History of Mérida] Yahoo Viajes España] .

Rodríguez Suárez's foundation had not been authorized by the New Granadian Authorities, so in 1560 they sent Juan de Maldonado to arrest Juan Rodríguez and regularize the new city. On June 24 Maldonado moved Mérida to its present location on the plateau and rechristened it as Santiago de los Caballeros. The city then came to be governed by the "corregimiento" of Tunja until 1607, when it became itself a "corregimiento" of the "Audiencia" of Santa Fe.

In 1622, Mérida became the capital of the Governorate of Mérida, whose chief official established his residence there. The city and territory were part of New Granada until 1777, when it was integrated into the Captaincy of Venezuela .

The city was elevated to the status of an episcopal see in 1785. This led to the creation of a seminary, which in 1811 became the University of the Andes.

Geography

The city is located in the center of the Venezuelan Andes, in a wide plain in the valley of the Chama river, between the Sierra Nevada de Mérida to the southeast and the Sierra La Culata to the northwest. The old quarter of the city is on the alluvial plain known as "Tatuy".

Mérida has four principal rivers, and various smaller streams in the less urbanized parts of the city—these have a significant water flow only in times of heavy precipitation. The most important river is the Chama, followed by the Albarregas, which cross the plain and divide it into two parts: the "Banda Occidental" (west bank) and the "Banda Oriental" (east bank). These two rivers run from one end of the city to the other. The other two principal rivers, the Mucujún and the Milla, flow into the Chama and Albarregas. In the lower part of the city is found the La Rosa lagoon, one of some 200 lagoons in the state of Mérida.

In the center of the city the terrain, located on a plain, is almost flat. Nonetheless, there is an average incline of 3 to 7 degrees, which causes a difference in altitude between the high and low parts of the city of more than 400 m, the average being 1,630 m above sea level at the Plaza Bolívar. However, the areas surrounding the city are rough and uneven, situated in the valleys formed by the Chama and Albarregas rivers and the Sierra Nevada and Sierra de La Culata ranges.

The valley in which the city is located was formed approximately 40 to 60 million years ago with the creation of the Venezuelan Andes and its continuous erosion by the area's water systems. Its soils consist of alluvial sediment and clay. Below the city runs the major tectonic fault in the western part of the country, the Boconó fault, which forms part of the South American Plate.

The vegetation in the interior of the city consists of medium to tall trees, and ferns ("Pteridophyte"), located mainly near the basin of the Albarregas river. On the outskirts of Mérida, one finds non-urbanized areas, where sub-mountainous and seasonal jungle vegetation predominates. On the other hand, vast coniferous forests extend toward the south, where they were planted some years ago. Toward the north and east, one finds cloud forests.

Significant among the local fauna are important populations of certain small and medium-sized birds such as hummingbirds and parrots ("Psittacidae"), spread particularly to the south of the city.

Climate

Despite the fact that the country in general has hot weather and a tropical climate, Mérida is more temperate with a mountain climate. This is because of its geographical location, in the Andes mountains, and its high altitude.

Though pollution has caused a rise in temperatures, this has been less, in relative terms, than in other important cities in Venezuela, with readings that vary between 18°C and 24°C, with an overall average of 22°C. Precipitation is of medium intensity during the rainy season, from April to November.

Venezuela is situated in an inter-tropical zone, so that there is very little temperature variance over the course of a year. The same is true in Mérida—the temperatures recorded in August are normally comparable to those measured under comparable conditions in broad daylight in January.

On the other hand, given Mérida's location in the interior of the country, far from the maritime coasts and the influence of the ocean, and its high altitude, the temperature variance over the course of a day is relatively high. Between day and night a difference of more than 10°C can be observed; this difference sometimes reaches more than 20°C. The maxima are reached during the day, and are usually around 25°C, but on rare occasions exceed 30°C. The lower limit of daytime temperatures tends to be around 20°C. [Es icon [http://www.tutiempo.net/clima/datos.php?stn=804380 Tutiempo:] Registros diarios de temperatura de la ciudad de Mérida desde 1994.]

In addition to national holidays and events, several festivals take pace and have origins in Mérida. Most are religious celebrations, and a few - such as the city's famous "Feria del Sol" or "Sun Fair" that takes place in the beginning of February - are of an international scale.

For Mérida, the most important and famous religious traditions are those celebrated by the city's Christian devotees during Christmas and Holy Week. These festivities include "La Quema del Año Viejo" (Burning of the Past Year), "La Pasión Viviente de Cristo" (Christ's Living Passion) and "La Paradura del Niño" (Christ Child's Standing) celebrated with prayers, song, fireworks, wine and cake.

Another of the more popular local customs (those without official government sanction) are the "Caravanas Estudiantiles", student processionals organized by and for high school or university graduates upon earning their degree. In recent years, this tradition has been extended to include younger students who have completed their primary or elementary education. Such celebrations usually occur during the first days of June for high school graduates, and throughout nearly the entire year for college graduates. Similar festivities can be found in other parts of the country, but the "Caravanas" of Mérida have a special relevance and importance given the city's large student population.

Other customs firmly rooted in the Méridan tradition, usually associated with fixed dates, include "Patinatas Navideñas" or "Christmas skating," which occurs in the city streets throughout the month of December; the "Fiesta de las Velas" in December 7 when in the evening all the electricity is turned off and some 18,000 candles are lit; the "Fiesta de San Benito" between January 12 and 31 celebrated with a drummers processions and street dancing; or the "Vasallos de la Candelaria", another typical festivity with children and street dancing.

Cuisine

The cuisine of the Mérida region differs notably from that of the rest of the nation. Among the most notbale differences is the "arepa andina" (Andean Arepa), a variant of the traditional Venezuelan arepa made from a base of wheat flour instead of the more common corn. This difference in ingredients is due primarily to the fact that the Andean region was one of the few places in the country where wheat historically has been harvested. Another notable dish is the "pizca andina", common to Mérida, Táchira and the Colombian Andes, a soup with a base of potato, milk, long onion, and parsely. Other important dishes are prepared with a base of trout, the only fish found in the region.

The city's typical brightened sweets, made from a base of milk and other ingredients, are also notable. There is a historical tradition of such sweets, which are said to originate in the convents where they were prepared in the 19th century. Also, one can find "alfajores", "aliados", and "almojabanas". Popular drinks include corn liquor, mistella, and "donkey's milk", which is known as "Andean punch."

Music

The traditional music of the city is marked by waltz rhythms. It also includes regional or national rhythms, such as "pasillos," a type of merengue and "bambucos." The music of Mérida, like its people, is recognizable by the laid back rhythms. The use of the violin is almost mandatory in the music style. Additionally, the city is commonly the birthplace of many rock and punk bands, among other genres.

Entertainment and tourism

Mérida is the quintessential touristic city in Venezuela, being one of the most sought-after destinations by national and international travelers.

Hotels

Lodging accommodations can be found to fit all budgets, including pensions and apartments for tourists with basic amenities. At least half of the hotels are located within the city, which is about 35% of the total number state-wide. All in all, there are about 2,650 beds available. Moreover, there will be three large five-star hotels added before 2007, when Mérida becomes the host of the soccer event Copa América.

hops

The main commercial area of Mérida lies within the historic downtown. However, all kinds of services can be found in the suburbs. Two notable destinations by locals and tourists alike are Mérida's "Mercado Principal" (Main Market) and the "Heladería Coromoto" (Coromoto Ice cream Parlor). The Mercado Principal is famous for its variety of folk art, gastronomy, produce, groceries, and other local and regional goods. Heladería Coromoto is well-known because it offers the greatest variety of ice cream flavors world-wide, with more than 800 choices 709 flavors. Cfr. "World Guinness Records", 1991.] .

hopping malls

For those who like to go shopping and spend the day enjoying stores or food courts, Mérida offers Las Tapias or Alto Prado shopping malls, located in Ave. Andrés Bello y la Ave. Los Próceres, respectively. There, you may also enjoy watching the latest films. Currently, there are under construction three larger malls on Ave. Las Américas: Rosario Mall, Plaza Mayor, and Rodeo Plaza. There are rumors that Sambil will also open a branch in Mérida.

Nightlife

As a city popular with students and tourists, Mérida enjoys a broad network of places open at night for entertainment of a public with varied tastes, composed principally of clubs and bars. There are also various cafés, restaurants, and movie theaters. Furthermore, a number of cultural and popular events constantly take place in these locations. Notable among these events are the concerts of the "Symphonic Orchestra of Mérida", as well as concerts of local bands, performing rock and other musical styles.

ee also

*Mérida
*Mérida
*Municipalities of Venezuela

References

External links

* [http://libertador-merida.gob.ve/ libertador-merida.gob.ve] es icon