Santa Elena de Uairén explained

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]

Languages

2019 massacre

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]

Sister Cities

References


External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 11 October 2016. Venezuela on the brink: a journey through a country in crisis. 23 November 2021. The Guardian. en.
  2. Web site: 2020-01-20. GameChangers 2019: Illegal Mining, Latin America's Go-To Criminal Economy. 2021-11-23. InSight Crime. en-US.
  3. Web site: AFP. US vows to take action as Venezuela aid operation turns deadly. 2021-11-23. Times of Israel. en-US.
  4. Web site: Venezuelan Massacres Investigated. 2021-11-23. ROBERT F. KENNEDY HUMAN RIGHTS. en.
  5. Web site: 2019-02-23. Venezuela: Authorities must stop attacks against the population. 2021-11-23. Amnesty International. en.