Higuerote (Spanish pronunciation: [iɣeˈɾote]) is the capital city of Brión Municipality, located in the coastal region of Barlovento, in the state of Miranda, Venezuela, approximately an hour and a half from Caracas.
Higuerote | |
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![]() Dawn in Puerto Encantado, in Higuerote | |
![]() ![]() Higuerote | |
Coordinates: 10°29′N 66°06′W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | Miranda |
Municipality | Brión Municipality |
Elevation | 1 m (3 ft) |
Population (2007) | |
• Total | 25,000 |
Time zone | VST |
Climate | Aw |
Its average annual temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius.
The area was sighted by Alonso de Ojeda on his voyage of 1499. The site, inhabited by Island Caribs, has been mentioned since 1515.
Its name comes from the indigenous cacique Igoroto who led the indigenous tribes of the area. Also its name is derived from the Latin origin voice "La Higuera", that is the plant whose fruit is the fig; In addition, it is named after an indigenous tree of this area known as Higuerote, similar to the fig, but smaller and used in America, for the construction of boats.
It was a place of refuge for buccaneers and pirates, and from its waters came the smuggling of cocoa from the Barlovento area.
The place has been a permanent settlement since the middle of the 19th century
To the west it find Cabo Codera Cape and beyond this we find El puesto de Víctor, the beaches of Chirere, La Cangrejera and finally the Aricagua river. The Cabo Codera Cape works like a giant barrier that prevents that the brown waters that pour out of the rivers diffuse towards the west, explaining thus the bright blue color that has the sea in the zone of El Banquito.
About 30 km north of the city is the Farallón Centinela, a large white and solitary rock of 3200 m² that emerges 28 meters above the sea.
The Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen church, along with Plaza Bolívar square, the modern Plaza Francisco de Miranda square (inaugurated in 2009) and the different beaches of the town, are among the attractions of this town, which celebrates its patron saint festivities each year from 16 to 22 July, with different religious events and celebrations. Like several coastal towns and cities in Venezuela, Higuerote has a musical tradition, highlighting Afro-Caribbean rhythms, especially the Tambor.[1]
Surrounded by beaches, lagoons, natural channels, housing, commerce, urban spaces, shopping centers, tourist developments, inns, hotels, marinas, clubs, spas, restaurants, beach kiosks, communications centers, banks, ATMs, bakeries, among others, constitute it as a true tourist center.
Higuerote has several beaches at a very short distance, such as Los Cocos beach. Other beaches in the area include: Chirimena, Puerto Francés, Caracolito, San Francisquito, Corrales, Chirere, Buche, and Playa Los Totumos beaches.
It has the sculpture of its patroness virgin Virgen del Carmen at the entrance, a monument about 7.5 meters high; Showing us the religious faith of the inhabitants of the town of Higuerote.
In the area there is a great variety of beaches, which are:
More cloudy beaches
More transparent beaches
The fairs in honor to the virgin Virgen del Carmen, patron saint of Higuerote, are celebrated on July 16, and there are processions by land and sea, songs, offerings and fireworks throughout Higuerote.
Religious activities in honor of the Virgen del Carmen are organized every year by the Sociedad del Carmen.