1 The capital and largest city of Venezuela , Caracas sits in a high valley in the northern part of the country , 7 miles ( 11 kilometers ) from the Caribbean Sea .
1 city , capital of Venezuela , and one of the principal cities of South America .

1 The capital and largest city of Venezuela , Caracas sits in a high valley in the northern part of the country , 7 miles ( 11 kilometers ) from the Caribbean Sea .
8 About 7 miles ( 11 kilometres ) southward , beyond this mountainous wall , the city spreads out in a valley .

4 Many historic buildings are arranged around the Plaza Bolivar , such as the Cathedral of Caracas , Miraflores Palace ( where the president lives ) , and the city council building .
32 There , centred around the Plaza Bolivar , are many historic buildings reflecting the colonial past , including the Catedral de Caracas , the Capitolio Nacional , the Concejo Municipal ( Municipal Council ) building , the birthplace of Simon Bolivar , and Palacio de Miraflores , which serves as the official residence of the president of the republic .

5 Nearby is the so-called National Pantheon , which holds the tombs of Simon Bolivar and other national heroes .
33 Only a short distance away is the Panteon Nacional , with the tomb of Simon Bolivar and those of other national heroes .

6 Farther east are Central Park and Plaza Venezuela .
36 Increasingly , the civic centre of Caracas is moving eastward toward the Parque Central and Plaza Venezuela .

7 The Botanical Garden , the Central University of Venezuela , and several museums are also in this part of the city .
40 Nearby are a number of other important city landmarks , including the Jardin Botanico , several museums , Parque Los Caobos , and the Universidad Central de Venezuela .

8 The most popular park is El Avila National Park , on the green slopes north of the city .
131 The most popular parks are the huge Parque Nacional el Avila ( a forest preserve on the Cerro El Avila ) , Parque Los Caobos , the Jardin Botanico , and the Parque del Este , in La Floresta .

9 Caracas is the nation's leader in manufacturing and commerce .
2 It is by far Venezuela's largest urban agglomeration and the nation's primary centre of industry , commerce , education , and culture .

9 Caracas is the nation's leader in manufacturing and commerce .
61 It remains the leading manufacturing centre , with emphasis on textiles and clothing; processed foods and beverages; tobacco products; wood , paper , and printing; clay and stone products; rubber and leather goods; glass , chemicals , and pharmaceuticals; and metalware and plastics .

10 Venezuela's largest companies all have offices in Caracas , including companies involved in oil drilling and exporting , an industry that is central to the national economy .
66 The city serves as headquarters for most of Venezuela's commercial and industrial firms , its banks and insurance companies , and government agencies both foreign and domestic .

12 Important products made in Caracas are chemicals , clothing , foods , drinks , paper , and medicines .
61 It remains the leading manufacturing centre , with emphasis on textiles and clothing; processed foods and beverages; tobacco products; wood , paper , and printing; clay and stone products; rubber and leather goods; glass , chemicals , and pharmaceuticals; and metalware and plastics .

13 Spanish explorers established a town in the valley in 1561 , but it was soon destroyed by the Caracas people , a group of Native American Indians .
133 A ranch was established in the valley in 1557 by Francisco Fajardo , the son of a Spanish captain and an Indian chief's daughter , and in 1561 Juan Rodriguez Suarez founded a town on the site of the ranch; but the town was soon destroyed by Indian attacks .

14 In 1567 Diego de Losada began the present city , calling it Santiago de Leon de Caracas .
134 The conquest and resettlement of the region began in 1566 , and Diego de Losada is credited with the actual founding of the city in 1567 .

14 In 1567 Diego de Losada began the present city , calling it Santiago de Leon de Caracas .
135 He named it Santiago de Leon de Caracas in honour of the apostle James , who is the patron saint of Spain; of Don Pedro Ponce de Leon , who was the provincial governor; and of the Caracas Indians , who inhabited the region .

15 In 1577 Caracas became a provincial capital .
143 In 1577 Caracas acquired its status as a provincial capital .

16 It was attacked by English buccaneers ( pirates ) in 1595 , and it was almost totally destroyed by earthquakes in 1755 and 1812 .
144 The city was sacked by English buccaneers in 1595 , and its buildings were almost totally destroyed by two earthquakes in 1755 and 1812 .

17 It became the capital of the country when Venezuela gained its independence from Spain in 1829 .
153 A year later the patriotic forces were in full retreat , but when Venezuela was finally established as an independent nation , in 1830 , Caracas was its capital .

19 Families there also had many children , so the city's population ballooned until it was larger than many other Venezuelan cities .
103 A high birth rate contributes an additional dimension to population growth and to a severe housing problem .

21 Housing is a problem in Caracas .
103 A high birth rate contributes an additional dimension to population growth and to a severe housing problem .

22 Although the city has many attractive high-rise apartment buildings , the steep hillsides around Caracas are covered with the homes of poor families .
104 Increasingly , Caracas has become a city of high-rise apartments that provide clean , modern , and attractive housing .