La Asunción

La Asunción is a city in Venezuela. It is the capital of Nueva Esparta, a state with three islands. The city is on Margarita Island in the Caribbean Sea, near the South American mainland. It lies in a green valley with hills, about 6 miles from the port city of Porlamar, where it is cooler.

La Asunción was founded in 1565. One of its important landmarks is Santa Rosa Castle, built to help protect the city. The main buildings are around Plaza Bolívar. One of these is the Catedral Nuestra Señora de La Asunción, a church from the 16th century and one of the oldest in the country. In 2011, the city had a population of 28,513 people.

History

In 1562, Spanish villagers moved to this area to be safe from pirates and a harsh ruler named Lope de Aguirre. The village was destroyed by French and English pirates but was rebuilt and named a city in 1565 by Captain Pedro González Cervantes de Albornoz.

A castle called Santa Rosa de la Eminencia was built on a hill near the city after an attack in 1676. Building began in 1677 and finished around 1683. Later, the city was part of the Venezuelan War of Independence. The castle was left unused in 1935 but became a War Museum twenty years later. It was named a National Monument in 1965.

Geography

La Asunción is in a fertile valley named Santa Lucia Valley on eastern Margarita Island. Green hills surround it, and it lies about 6 miles north of the town of Porlamar. Long ago, this place offered safety from pirates because it was far from the coast. A bridge over the Río Asunción was built in 1609 and remained there until 1970, helping people travel into the town from the north.

Demographics

La Asunción is a city in the state of Nueva Esparta in Venezuela. In 1981, about 10,000 people lived there. By 2010, the number of people grew to about 28,000. The whole state of Nueva Esparta had 263,748 people in 1981 and 491,610 by 2010.

Government

La Asunción is the main city for the government of the area. It is the center of Arismendi Municipality, Nueva Esparta.

Cityscape

La Asunción has two banks, a post office, and two museums. There is a private hospital with modern facilities. Behind the cathedral is the Palacio Municipal, where the state government offices are. The Assemblea Legislativa is in a former Franciscan monastery. The Plaza of La Asunción is split into two parts. The southern half honors Simón Bolívar, and the northern half honors Luisa Caceres, with her statue there. An old two-story house now is a souvenir shop with a coffee area. The birthplace of the independence hero Juan Bautista Arismendi has been restored.

Transportation

Air

La Asunción is about 30 kilometers from the Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport. This airport has flights to places in Venezuela and also to other countries.

Sea

You can take ferry boats from Punta de Piedras, which is 40 kilometers away. The ferry company Conferry goes to Puerto La Cruz, Guanta, La Guaira, and Coche Island.

Landmarks

La Asunción has several important places to see. One is the Catedral Nuestra Señora de La Asunción, built a long time ago between 1570 and 1612. It is the oldest church still standing in Venezuela and has thick walls. Another place is the Santa Rosa de la Eminencia castle, built in 1682. It sits on a hill and was used to watch for danger. The castle also has a tunnel that connects to important buildings in the city.

The Museo Nueva Cádiz is in a building that was once where the colonial government worked. It now shows old artifacts and local crafts. The Casa de la Cultura has a theater and shows pottery from long ago. Cerro El Copey National Park is important for its many special animals, including some that are found only there.

Notable people

La Asunción is home to many important people.

• Juan Fermín de Huidobro was the governor of Margarita.
• Francisco Esteban Gómez was a military leader who passed away in La Asunción.
• Modesta Bor was a composer.
• Luis Beltrán Prieto Figueroa was a national politician.
• Juan Bautista Arismendi was a revolutionary general during the War of Independence.
• Luisa Cáceres de Arismendi was a hero of the War of Independence.
• José Enrique “Chelique” Sarabia was a singer and songwriter.