Cumaná

For the company, see Cumana (company).

Cumaná
View of Cumaná
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): La Tierra Donde Nace El Sol, Primogénita del Continente Americano (English:"The land where the sun is born, Ancestor of the American Continent")
Cumaná
Coordinates: 10°27′23″N 64°10′3″W
Country	Venezuela
State	Sucre
Municipality	Sucre
Founded	1522
Government
• Mayor	Rafael Acuña
Area
• Total	591 km2 (228 sq mi)
Elevation	43 m (141 ft)
Population
• Total	824,764
• Demonym	Cumanés
Time zone	VST
Postal code	6101
Area code(s)	0293
Website	www.alcaldiabolivarianadesucre.com(Spanish)

Cumaná (Spanish pronunciation: [kumaˈna], 824,764 inhabitants) is the capital of Venezuela's Sucre State. It is located 402 km east of Caracas. Cumaná was one of the first settlements founded by Europeans in mainland America, although attacks by indigenous peoples meant it had to be refounded several times.

The city, located at the mouth of the Manzanares River on the Caribbean coast in the NE of Venezuela, is home to one of five campuses of the Universidad de Oriente and a busy maritime port, home of one of the largest tuna fleets in Venezuela. The city is close to the Mochima National Park which boasts some of Venezuela's finest beaches.

This beautiful city of Cumaná saw the birth of several national heroes of and contributors to the Venezuelan independence movement, among whom it can count Antonio Jose de Sucre, the ‘Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho’, first among generals and President of Bolivia; and next to him the Brigadier General D. Juan Francisco Echeto, brave fighter for Venezuelan independence who did not allow his multiple battle wounds lessen his thirst for liberty. Cumaná was also fortunate to give birth to eminent poets, writers and politicians like Andrés Eloy Blanco, one of our most important contributors to Latin-American poetry and famous politician; and José Antonio Ramos Sucre, distinguished poet and diplomat.

History

The Natives of Cumaná attack the mission after Gonzalez de Ocampo's slaving raid. Colored copperplate by Theodor de Bry, published in the "Relación brevissima"

Cumaná was the first settlement founded by Europeans in mainland America, in 1501 by Franciscan friars, but due to successful attacks by the indigenous people (such as the Cumanagoto people), it had to be refounded several times, until Diego Hernández de Serpa's foundation in 1569. Bartolomé de las Casas, attempting a peaceful colonization scheme, was pre-empted by Gonzalo de Ocampo's 1521 punitive raids against the local indigenous people, in retaliation for the destruction of the Dominican convent at Chiribichi. In 1537 New Andalusia Province was established, with Cumaná its capital (for which the Province was also known as the Province of Cumaná).

After Amerindian attacks became less of a threat, the city was on several occasions destroyed by earthquakes. Thus the oldest part of the city is late 17th and 18th century; almost none of the 16th century architecture survived.

Attractions

A traditional fisherman's boat called "Peñero" at Mochima National Park.

Cumaná Castle

Archdiocese Roman Catholic Church

The city features a wide variety of colonial style architecture that is still in excellent condition. A large old Spanish fort, the Castillo de San Antonio de la Eminencia (Castle of Saint Anthony of the Eminence) can be seen from the beach, which is still open to the public. Also surviving is the Castillo de Santa Maria de la Cabeza, which was built in 1669. The Museo del Mar displays marine and maritime artifacts.

View of Medina beach in Cumaná

Notable people born in Cumaná

Venezuelan Patriots

• Antonio José de Sucre (1795–1830) – South American independence leader and according to Bolivar, “The most courageous amongst the valiant ones and of the loyal ones, the most sincere.”
• Brigadier General, D. Juan Francisco Echeto (b. 1799) – Venezuelan patriot who fought for independence at the battles of Tacarigua, Santa Lucía, Sabana Redonda, Bailadores, and Lago de Maracaibo.

Distinguished Poets

• Andrés Eloy Blanco (1897–1955) – poet, humorist and politician.
• José Antonio Ramos Sucre (1890–1930) – Poet and diplomat.

Politicians

• Iñaki Anasagasti (b. 1947) – Spanish politician, member of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV)

Sportsmen and women

• Francisco Sánchez (b. 1976) – butterfly and freestyle swimmer
• Rafael Betancourt (b. 1975) – relief pitcher for Colorado Rockies
• Armando Galarraga (b. 1982) – starting pitcher for Detroit Tigers, most noble for losing a perfect game on a disputed call (See Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game)
• Luis Maza (b. 1980) – shortstop for Los Angeles Dodgers
• César Jiménez (b. 1984) – left-handed relief pitcher for Seattle Mariners

Celebrities

• Vanessa Peretti (b. 1986) – first deaf and mute to take part in the Miss Venezuela pageant

References

• Krzysztof Dydniski & Charlotte Beech, Lonely Planet Venezuela, (2004)