Carora

Carora
city
Flag Seal
Carora
Coordinates:
Country	Venezuela
State	Lara
Counties	Torres Municipality
Government
• Mayor	Edgar Manuel Carrasco Paez (2009–2012)
Elevation	419 m (1,375 ft)
Population (2005)
• Total	112,600
Website	Alcaldía de Torres

Carora is a town in Lara State, Venezuela, on the Morere River, a branch of the Tocuyo River. It is about 54 miles southwest of Barquisimeto. Carora was founded twice. The first time, in the year 1569 by Juan de Tejo, but due to constant attacks from the indigenous population, it was abandoned, only to be refounded three years later (1572) by Juan de Salmanca. Carora flourished in colonial times having a population of nearly 10,000. As of 1911, the neighboring country was devoted principally to raising horses, mules and cattle; in addition to hides and leather, it exported rubber and other forest products. As of 2005 the main economic activity of the area is still cattle ranching, but on milk production and milk products. In the 1990s grapes and wine making became important.

Carora has been the birthplace of very important people in knowledge different areas. Guitarist players Alirio Diaz and Rodrigo Riera; historians Gillermo Moron, Ismael Silva Montañes, Ambrosio Perera; lawyers Ambrosio Oropeza, Juan Oropeza, Antonio Oropeza; health science Dr. Pastor Oropeza; and lawyer and one of the writers of the 1961 Venezuelan Constitution Jose "Cheito" Herrera Oropeza; were born in this small Venezuelan city.

Colleges and universities in Carora include Universidad Centroccidental Lisandro Alvarado (UCLA), Universidad Nacional Experimental Politécnica Antonio José de Sucre (UNEXPO), National Open University, and Technological University Institute Mario Briceño Iragorry.

Carora is officially a sister city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA ( Milwaukee, United States).

References

•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: