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Por
el centro del Pueblo
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Santa Elena de
Uairén:
A city in
the south of
Bolívar State,
in
Venezuela,
capital of the Gran Sabana Municipal District. It is
situated at 907mts above sea level, in a savannah
surrounded by various Tepuis.
15 Km. away is the frontier bordering Brazil and the
small Brazilian town, the so-called "La Línea", "The
Line" (town of Pacaraima).
(1400 km from Caracas) |
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It was founded in
1923 by Lucas Fernández Peña, who was attracted
to the area due to its boom in diamonds.
The population is approximately 20,000 inhabitants.
The temperature averages between 25 and 28°C.
You can reach the city by the Pan-American road
via Brazil, which is completely paved with
asphalt.
It has an airport and its economy is based on
commerce and the work in the central mines.
However, throughout the last few years tourism
has been growing in an important manner, which
the city has come to rely on, offering many
services to its visitors.
It is the best place to embark on touristic
activities, since it is found near the most
impressive natural wonders in the Gran Sabana.
The name of the city originates from Lucas
Fernández Peña’s first daughter, "Elena", and
Uairen for the river that runs through the
city.
In total he had 23 children.
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::: A FREE PORT, A REALITY BUT A SLOW ONE |
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Santa Elena de Uairén, was declared a free port in 1999
though the process of adapting it to that purpose has
been slow and laborious, there are few products that are
manufactured entirely inside this legal
commercial system. Nevertheless, it is probable that
given its location on the frontier with Brazil and the
constant traffic of goods to and from the neighbouring
country, in whatever moment the general economy of Santa
Elena could improve. A difficult task, but one that is
little by little becoming a reality, and which of course
needs the collaboration of everyone. |
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In Santa Elena you can acquire just about everything;
there are pharmacies, restaurants, telephone lines and
cell phone service (MoviStar and Movilnet ), markets,
pizzerias, hotels of all varieties, eco-friendly camps,
liquor stores, auto-repair shops, gas stations,
churches, etc. There are people, due to their lack of
knowledge about the area, believe they have to bring
everything with them because they think they won’t find
a place to purchase items.
The Cathedral of Santa Elena is one of the most visited
destinations in the city, constructed mid-century with
rocks transported from neighbouring regions. The
mission of Santa Elena is the center of missionary
activity of the Capuchin fathers of the Franciscan
order. |
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Lucas Fernández Peña is recognized as the official founder
of Santa Elena de Uairén in 1923.
Born in the state of Cojedes in 1894, he was an
adventurer who wanted to get to know the world.
During
his time in the Uairen area he rose in
opposition against the churches that wanted to
take over and colonize the region. Lucas,
relying on a good amount of Indians in his army,
forced the churches to retreat various
kilometers outside the land near Uairen,
reconquering for Venezuela many kilometers of
terrain that were in the hands of the churches.
Photo: Lucas Fernández Peña with his
father Cesareo besides one of the first border
milestones between Venezuela and Brasil.
Weather in Santa Elena
de Uiarén
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En la frontera con Brasil, hito y
banderas justo entre los dos países. |
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Aeropuerto de Santa
Elena de Uairén |
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