Caracas

ka-ra'kas, the capital city of Venezuela. Latitude, 10 deg. 32' N.; longitude, 67 deg. 4' W. The city was founded by Spaniards in 1567. The name is derived from that of a tribe of Indians inhabiting the valley in which the city is situated. Caracas lies at an elevation of 3,000 feet. It is the official and residence city. La Guayra, a few miles distant, is the port where business is done. A railway connects Caracas with La Guayra and three radiate from Caracas into the interior for ores and agricultural productions and forest products. The city is well built. National resources have been used freely in erecting a capitol, presidential residence, a national library, museum, etc. The most noteworthy church building is the cathedral, built about 1614. One public square is named for Bolivar; another for Washington. Electric lights, gas, telephone service, street railways, paving, clubs, business blocks, and hotels give the city a modern air. Population in 1905, about 80,000; La Guayra, 20,000.