The city of Maracay was officially established on March 5, 1701, by Bishop Diego de Baños y Sotomayor in the valleys of Tocopio and Tapatapa in northern Venezuela. According to the most accepted explanation, it was named after a local indigenous chief, and refers to the "Maracayo", a small tiger. Alternative etymologies cite a local aromatic tree called Mara. Maracay experienced rapid growth during Juan Vicente Gómez's dictatorship. Gómez saw Maracay as a suitable place to make his residence during his rule, and ordered the construction of an Arc of Triumph, a bull plaza, an opera house, a zoo, and, most notably, the Hotel Jardín, a majestic, tourist attraction with very large gardens. The city is home to the Mausoleo de Gómez, where the dictator's remains are stored.
Geography
The mountains on the north side of Maracay, that separate it from the coast, make up the Henri Pittier National Park, named after the Swissnaturalist that studied them. The park is a very lush rainforest, with a great variety of ferns. Two very winding roads cut through the park over the mountains to the coast. One, beginning at the North-Central part of the city known as Urbanización El Castaño, goes to the beach town of Choroní. The other, beginning at the North-Western part of the city known as Urbanización El Limón, goes to Ocumare de la Costa and the beaches of Cata and Catica.
Maracay & the Military
Maracay is a city heavily influenced by the military. Maracay is the cradle of Venezuelan aviation, and it is home to the two largest Air Force bases in the country. The Venezuelan F-16 fighter planes are stationed here, as well as the new Sukhoi-30MKEs acquired by the Venezuelan Government. Other military facilities include the Fourth Armored Division of the Army and the Venezuelan Paratroopers main base and training center. It is also home to the government-owned ammunition and weapons factory that produces the Venezuelan version of the FN FAL rifle and will produce the newly acquired AK-103s; as well as the ammunition for both models.
Economy
One of the most important cities in Venezuela, Maracay is primarily an industrial and commercial center, the city produces paper, textiles, chemicals, tobacco, cement, cattle derived foods, such as milk or meat conserves, as well as soap and perfumes. Even though it is an industrial center, the surroundings of Maracay live of an intensive agriculture, where sugarcane, tobacco, coffee, and cocoa stand out as the main products. There are also cattle-herding and timber-cutting activities. Activity by the Venezuelan Military also adds a great deal to Maracay's economy.
Demographics
The Girardot Municipality, according to a 2007 population estimate by the National Institute of Statistics of Venezuela, has a population of 439,947. This amounts to 26.4% of the state's population. The municipality's population density is.
Government
The mayor of the Girardot Municipality is Pedro Bastidas, elected on November 23, 2008 with 46% of the vote. He replaced Humberto Prieto shortly after the elections. The municipality is divided into eight parishes; Choroní, Urbana Las Delicias, Urbana Madre María de San José, Urbana Joaquín Crespo, Urbana Pedro José Ovalles, Urbana José Casanova Godoy, Urbana Andrés Eloy Blanco, and Urbana Los Tacariguas.
Maracay has good transportation facilities and infrastructure that effectively connects it to the rest of the country, it is linked to most other important localities by the Autopista Regional del Centro, it also has good access to the only, small railway system in the country. The city boasts the national Hidroplane airport, located on the shore of the Lago de Valencia. The city does not have a Subway system, but one is in the planning stages.
