Ciudad Guayana ( Spanish pronunciation: [sjuˈðað ɣwaˈʝana] ) (English: Guayana City) is a city in Bolívar State , Venezuela . It stretches 40 kilometers along the south bank of the Orinoco river , at the point where it is joined by its main tributary, the Caroní river . The Caroní flows through the city from south to north, dividing it into its predominant halves — the old town of San Félix , to the east, and the newer area of Puerto Ordaz ( Spanish pronunciation: [ˈpweɾto oɾˈðas] ), to the west.
34-622: Ciudad Guayana was officially founded in 1961 by the unification of two former settlements, but the modern history of San Félix can be traced back to the eighteenth century. Located within the city limits are Cachamay Falls (part of Parque Cachamay) and Llovizna Falls . There are three bridges across the Caroní, and another crossing over the Orinoco, the Orinoquia Bridge , which was inaugurated in 2006. With approximately one million people in
68-423: A mischievous interest in park visitors, humans are not authorized to touch or feed the monkeys (or any wild animals), as they carry disease and have large, sharp canine teeth, which they are liable to use. Monkeys are notoriously ill-tempered and can become possessive of the most benign of objects (such as food, hats, sunglasses, etc), and will retaliate quickly if they feel offended or manipulated. Feeding them makes
102-490: A clearance of 41 m above water level and are supported by four 120 m tall H-shaped pylons via two planes of cable stays. Unusually, these spans do not lead directly into each other as at other multi-span cable stayed bridges such as the Millau Viaduct , but are anchored at a fixed point on the mid-stream island. The bridge was built to complement the existing Angostura Bridge and to provide a more direct connection with
136-599: A high plain situated approximately 200-300 feet above sea level. Ciudad Guayana is hot and humid most of the year, having a tropical savanna climate ( Köppen : Aw ) with a dry season from January to March. Many of Venezuela's prime industries are based in Puerto Ordaz. These include Alcasa, Venalum, Bauxilum, Carbonorca (primary aluminium manufacturers and anode suppliers for the aluminium industry), Ferrominera (iron ore processing), and Sidor (Orinoco Steelmaking). The country's main electricity producer, Corpoelec, and
170-449: A seasonal variation in level of 12.5 m. The crossing is composed of approximately 4.5 km of structures and carries four lanes of road traffic separated into two carriageways by a single railway track in the centre. It consists of two cable stayed navigation spans each of 300 m with a south approach 1320 m long composed of 22 60 m spans and a north approach of 636 m composed of ten 60 m spans and one of 36 m. The two navigation spans have
204-545: A wood chain bridge. A group of about 300 teachers from different states of the country met to celebrate the Teachers Convention and they were all excited to see the bridge that has a view to the waterfalls and the Caroní River . When the teachers started to cross the bridge, the bridge could not resist it and it broke. The teachers fell down the rocky river and many of them died because of the many rocks that
238-548: Is a warning signal, in nature, that translates as “poisonous”. The largest and most recognized reptile is likely the green anaconda . The natural biodiversity of the park is largely due to two the rivers flowing through the area, one of them being the second-longest on the continent (the Orinoco). The park is located in the Guayana natural region . In August 1964, a tragedy happened in the park. The iron chain bridge used to be
272-626: Is criss-crossed from north to south and east to west by numerous avenues. Some of them are: On December 3, 2006, the Orinoquia Bridge, which crosses the Orinoco river, was inaugurated. The area is served by Manuel Carlos Piar Guayana Airport . In Puerto Ordaz the principal recreation centers are: Ciudad Guayana is home to two football clubs that play in the Venezuelan Primera División , namely LALA FC and Mineros de Guayana . Both clubs play their home games in
306-625: Is located in a very strategic spot for the country of Venezuela. Many international visitors have traveled there throughout its young history, from Pope John Paul II to many former American presidents, such as G.W. Bush ; various musicians, artists, and even filmmakers, like Steven Spielberg , have visited, utilizing the scenic landscaping and city parks for movies. Ciudad Guayana is served by Manuel Carlos Piar International Airport in Puerto Ordaz. The first explorations of Diego de Ordaz were organized in 1531. An expedition led by Juan González Sosa discovered previously unknown jungles and plains on
340-469: Is partly due to the presence, in the 1960s and early 1970s, of US Steel , an American company with ironworks operations in the region. US Steel built housing for hundreds of its American immigrant workers and their families, who lived in Puerto Ordaz (and other communities) until the nationalization of the Venezuelan steel industry forced the company and its workers to cease operations. Ciudad Guayana
374-636: The CTE Cachamay stadium, which also hosts games of the national team and numerous concerts. Puerto Ordaz is also well known for having one of the best engineering schools in Latin America. The main universities are: Regional hubs: Puerto Ordaz is headquarters of colleges like: Technical Institutes Inside the city both the Llovizna and Cachamay Parks are located displaying their picturesque waterfalls . Other local attractions are
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#1732783191300408-724: The Caroní Ecomuseum located at the Macagua Dam. Near the city from the Angosturita bridge to the San Félix port the union of the Caroní and Orinoco rivers can be seen; the different colors of the water of both rivers make a very distinct demarcation line. Taking Puerto Ordaz as a starting point, the Orinoco Delta can be visited as well as Canaima's National Park and Guri's reservoirs. Other points of interest are
442-632: The Foundation and Paseo Malecon San Felix. For those interested in the basic industries of Venezuela some of these have a visitation schedule that could be found through their respective managements of Public Relations. Nearby, less than 100 kilometers away it is Ciudad Bolívar, the historic site of Bolivar state. On the other side of the river is the Mission of Caroni (Caroni ruins), the Castillos de Guayana and forest plantations. The Puerto Ordaz area
476-583: The banks of the Orinoco River . In 1535, another expedition into the region was led by Lieutenant Alfonso Herrera . It was after the movements of conquest and colonization, when in 1591 Antonio de Berrio founded Santo Tome de Guayana at the confluence of the Caroni and Orinoco, in the country of Carapana near the Indian village of Cachamay. The city was founded multiple times in different places, due to
510-547: The city center makes it a tourist and educational destination, and a public park and museum were added to the complex. Edelca also builds and administers two more dams upstream from the city: Tocoma and Guri . The latter is currently (as of 2018) the fourth-biggest hydroelectric power station in the world in terms of generation capacity, and gave origin to the Guri reservoir, the second biggest lake in Venezuela. Puerto Ordaz
544-529: The city has a drastically different feel from many other South American cities. The towers of the Alta Vista district recall Barranquilla , and many of the residential neighborhoods have architecture and landscaping that are similar to suburbs in the United States from the 1950s through 1980s, such as subdivisions and 'cookie-cutter' homes, neatly-paved sidewalks, and manicured, patterned lawns. This
578-644: The colonial castles at the Orinoco riverside and the "Cerro del Elefante" (Elephant's hill) which can be reached in a 4x4 vehicle. The Castles of Guayana are located at the right side of the Orinoco River, about 35 kilometers from San Félix. Llovizna Falls Llovizna Falls is a waterfall on the Caroní River , close to its confluence with the Orinoco , located in the Llovizna Park, Puerto Ordaz , Venezuela . The nearby Macagua Dam has reduced
612-464: The continuous attacks of pirates and conquerors which destroyed it as they went down the Orinoco River in search of El Dorado. In 1618, when he was near the old Guiana, an English expedition sent by Walter Raleigh sacked and destroyed the city entirely. In 1764, the residents were relocated to Angostura, now Ciudad Bolivar , due to the continuous attacks of English and Dutch pirates. The last foundation took place at its original site on July 2, 1961 and
646-565: The entrance of the park, visitors can enjoy the different shows and plays that locals do to entertain the community and raise the visits of the park. Family and friends can also do a picnic. The park has one restaurant that sells the typical plates from the state such as, Arepas , Empanada , Tequeño , and many other things. Exercise and training are other activities you can do in the park. The park offers very wide and safe walkaways used by people to ride bicycles, run, jog, or just walk. There are also training machines that are free for visitors. For
680-411: The flow over the waterfall in recent years, but the cascade continues to be spectacular and returns to its former glory several times a year when the floodgates of the dam are opened. (Llovizna - "yoviz-nah", is Spanish for mist, drizzle, spray). The Llovizna Park is very big, and it has many green areas and benches where family and friends can spend a good time. In the stone theater, located close to
714-549: The greater metro area , Ciudad Guayana is Venezuela's fastest-growing city with its important iron , steel , aluminum and hydroelectric industries. Additionally, Ciudad Guayana is one of Venezuela's top-five most vital shipping locations (especially for most of the goods produced in Bolívar state), as ships and barges can easily access the port from the Atlantic Ocean via the Orinoco River. Due to its planned nature,
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#1732783191300748-454: The important industrial city of Ciudad Guayana. In particular, it was intended to provide for a future rail connection to allow the city's heavy industrial products to be transported to the ports of Venezuela's Caribbean coast. River transport on the Orinoco includes oceangoing ships, but because of its high sediment load the Orinoco has to be constantly dredged. In addition the crossing strengthens transport links between Venezuela and Brazil to
782-405: The monkeys lose their fear of humans, leading to future potential conflicts and even monkey deaths. The park is also home to a wide variety of invertebrates , including large spiders , such as the tarantulas Psalmopoeus irminia and Epicadus . The park also has a wide variety of reptiles and amphibians , including several species of the diminutive poison arrow frogs , considered to be
816-437: The mouth of the Caroní river) and Ternium Sidor (recently nationalised into a CVG company, and the only steel works) at mile 197. The city hosts the headquarters of CVG Electrificación del Caroní (CVG Edelca), Venezuela's main electricity producer, which manage several hydroelectric power plants along the Caroní river basin. Two of them, Macagua and Caruachi , are located within city limits. The easy of access to Macagua from
850-498: The only crossing of the Orinoco was the Angostura Bridge around 100 km upstream at Ciudad Bolívar that was opened in 1967. At the site chosen for the bridge, the Orinoco is three kilometres wide with two navigation channels separated by a small island that is revealed during the low-water season. The average discharge of the river here varies between 66 000 m³/s and 85 000 m³/s, flowing at up to 2.6 m/s and with
884-462: The park, and animal control works to keep these snakes out of the park. 8°18′57″N 62°40′27″W / 8.31583°N 62.67417°W / 8.31583; -62.67417 Orinoquia Bridge The Second Orinoco crossing or Orinoquia Bridge is a combined road and railway bridge over the Orinoco River near Ciudad Guayana , Venezuela . It was inaugurated on November 13, 2006 and named Orinoquia Bridge. Prior to its construction,
918-439: The places where you stop by. Venezuela is a country with no seasons other than wet and dry, so visitors can go to the park any time of the year. With Venezuela being one of the top most biodiverse nations on earth, the park is naturally full of flora and fauna, with many endemic species being found there. One of the most common animals in the park is the tufted capuchin ; although these monkeys may appear curious and display
952-485: The regional development office, CVG ( Corporación Venezolana de Guayana ), are also located in Puerto Ordaz. The port of Puerto Ordaz is a combination of piers ( muelles ), all under the control of CVG, of which only one is allocated for public use. The others are directly related to the CVG production companies; primarily all for aluminum-related endeavors, nine in-total. Two of the most frequently-used piers are Ferrominera (at
986-414: The river has. Around 50 people died and some of the bodies have not been found yet. This is the folklore of the park. The people from the city of Ciudad Guayana tell a story of a little girl who was sitting under a tree and an Anaconda that was hanging in the tree ate her. Even though this story is fake, it has made people be more careful with their children. However, there have been Anaconda attacks in
1020-495: The same intensity since its inception, ready to house 2.5 million people in 2020. Since 1961, the city has been known as one of the fastest growing in the world. Ciudad Guayana and the surrounding site have special interest to visitors. Within the city, the Caroni park consists of Drizzle, Cachamay and Loefling, which are a representative sample of the majesty and beauty of the Rio Caroni. Other amusement park attractions include
1054-510: The tourists, the park offers a bus tour that takes the visitors to the most special spots of the park such as the Stone Theater, the waterfall, the iron bridge, and many other places. It is recommended to wear sports shoes and clothes that would make you feel comfortable in the hot temperature and humidity of the park. There are many rocks and bridges so go prepared for this. Beware of the snakes, do not leave children alone, and check out
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1088-431: The ‘jewels’ of the forest. These tiny amphibians are so small they must eat tiny insects, notably ants and certain beetles , which produce elements such as formic acid ; the frogs are able to retain these compounds in their bodies, effectively rendering them deadly if consumed by a potential predator (captive poison arrow frogs lose this capability due to an altered diet of crickets and fruit flies). Their vivid coloration
1122-705: Was built and planned by the Companies Orinoco Mining Company and the Venezuelan Corporation of Guayana in the mid-twentieth century. On November 13, 2006 the Orinoquia Bridge , the second largest in the country, opened. This facilitates communication between Ciudad Guayana and the opposite bank of the Orinoco in Anzoátegui and Monagas states. The city is located at the confluence of the Caroní and Orinoco River on
1156-526: Was called Ciudad Guayana. West of the city is the Matanzas Industrial Zone, the urban area of Puerto Ordaz in the middle east and San Felix. For the design and city planning Corporacion Venezolana de Guayana requested the participation of the then Harvard–MIT Joint Center for Urban Studies (USA). The large and extensive program of building highways and avenues, residential areas, schools, hospitals and recreational facilities, continues with
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