| Santa Elena de Uairén | |
| Settlement Type: | City |
| Official Name: | The City of Santa Elena de Uairén |
| Nickname: | Santa Elena |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Guayana |
| Subdivision Name2: | Bolívar |
| Subdivision Name3: | Gran Sabana |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Established Date: | November 13, 1923 |
| Population As Of: | 2006 |
| Population Total: | 29,795 |
| Timezone: | VET |
| Utc Offset: | -4 |
| Pushpin Map: | Venezuela |
| Coordinates: | 4.6021°N -61.1112°W |
| Elevation M: | 900 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal Code |
| Postal Code: | 8052 |
| Blank Name: | Area code |
| Blank Info: | +58 288 |
| Blank1 Name: | Climate |
| Blank1 Info: | Am |
Santa Elena de Uairén (pronounced as /es/) is a small Venezuelan city (29,795 inhabitants in 2006) in the state of Bolívar near the border with Brazil and Guyana. It was founded by Lucas Fernández Peña in 1923. The city's name originates from his first daughter, Elena, and Uairén, the river that crosses the city.
Located in the middle of La Gran Sabana, Santa Elena is home to many travel agencies offering tours in Canaima National Park, flights over Angel Falls, and hiking tours to the famous Monte Roraima.
The town is notable for its influential presence of indigenous peoples; there is even a community called Manakrü (pronounced mah-nah-CREE) populated entirely by indigenous people. The schools in this neighborhood use both Spanish and Pemon, an indigenous language.
Due to its proximity to the Brazilian state of Roraima, Santa Elena sees a busy exchange between the two countries of Brazilian consumer products from Brazil and Venezuelan oil and petrol. Other Brazilian cities that trade with Santa Elena de Uairen are Manaus, Santarém, Macapá, and Belém.
Santa Elena is relatively safe compared to other Venezuelan cities.[1]
In 2019, the Venezuelan National Guard shot several Pemon civilians in the city, shortly after they had killed a large number of protesters in San Francisco de Yuruaní.[2] The massacre began at 7:00 AM and resulted in 11 deaths as well as 31-57 injuries.[3] [4] Widespread criticism erupted in response to the attack.[5]
Brazil Pacaraima, Roraima
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar State Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Upata, Bolivar State Brazil Boa Vista, Roraima