Venezuela » Caracas

Caracas, a city of great diversity, offers visitors a wide range of scenery. The different areas of the city make it an exciting and interesting metropolis where tradition and modernism become one.

The capital was founded in 1567. It is about 3000 feet above sea level in a long valley that stretches from east to west. On one side of the valley are the uninhabited emerald slopes of Avila National Park ; on the other, the rugged and heavily settled hills of the southern suburbs.

Those wishing to explore the areas immediately around the city will be well-rewarded. The omnipresent Avila National Park offers incredible views of both Caracas and the nearby coast, which is also worth an excursion.

Some important places of the city include:

Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas

The Ciudad Universitaria de Caracas ("University City of Caracas") is the main Campus of the Central University of Venezuela. It was designed by the Venezuelan architect Carlos Raul Villanueva and was declared aWorld Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2000.

 Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex

The Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex ( Complejo Cultural Teresa Carreño), or more commonly the Teresa Carreño Theater ( Teatro Teresa Carreño), is one of the most important Theaters ofCaracas and Venezuela, where symphonic and popular concerts imagine frequently, operas, ballet and theater. It is located near the Seat of the museums, theCaobos Park and the Athenian of Caracas, in the cultural zone of the city. It is divided in two rooms: Jose Felix Ribas and Ríos Reyna.

Altamira

Altamira is a neighborhood located in the Chacao municipality of Caracas, it has its ownMetro Station, many hotels and restaurants, and is an important business centre of the city, the Francisco de Miranda avenue (a major avenue in Caracas) and the Distibuidor Altamira (a congested highway exit) are both located in Altamira.

The Children's Museum of Caracas

The Children's Museum of Caracas ( Fundación Museo de los Niños) is a privately managed museum foundation inCaracas, Venezuela's capital city, established in 1982 and aimed at teaching children aboutscience, technology, culture and art.