Diario las Américas., 1958-03-13
Know thy
NeighborI
By ANTONIO RUIZ

OLLA Sut dSdS, SdpIt-
al of Venezuela, is located on a
high plateau, 2,776 feet above sea
level, at the foot of the Avila
Mountain. Although surrounded by
towering mountains, it is only fiji
teen minutes from the Caribbean
coast. The Caracas-La Guaira Eau
topista" or superhighway, inau-
gurated in 1858, has brought the
mountainous city within ten miles
of the sea.
Founded by Diego de Losada
in 1867, it is n of the most an
cient capitals of the Americas.
Yet, its aspect is almost entirely
that of a modern city. The pros
perity brought by oil and the rich
mineral deposits has initiated a
period of astonishing growth, with
the result that the old colonial ci-
ty is rapidly vanishing. Today Ca
racas is a city of wide avenues and
parkwayS, of skyscrapers and func-
tional buildings.
This apparently new and shin
ing city however, has historic mo.
numents of almost inestimable i'm
portance; the house where the Lib
orator, Simon Bolivar was born
and the National Pantheon, where
he is buried; the Metropolitan Ca
thedral, beloved relic of Spanish
architecture, which is the spiritual
center of the city, and others.
Some idea of the extraordinary
transformation and growth of the
city in recent years can be had
in the fact that in 1896 Caracas
had 1853 900 inhabitants, occupied
an area of 1850 acres and was
growing at the rate of 528, new
constructions annually. The vertic.
al city had not yet begun to rise
and the residential suburbs were
just beginning. There were only
10000 motor vehicles. Today the
city has over a million inhabitants
about one fourth of them foreign.
ers. There are more than 100000
motor vehicles in service in the
metropolitan area. Besides, Cara.
cas- is now the continental market
having the greatest number Of
commercial establishments Of all
kinds in the country. Its public SER
! vices are better every day, more
complete and better managed. 1t
has excellent networks of light,
water, telephone and Transports
ton facilities.
Caracas is the seat of the Ma.
tional Government, the Supreme
Court and the Court of Appeals
1t has many fine schools, both pub.
lie and private, numerous hospitals
and clinics, and three universities
Often called the city of eternal
spring, Caracas enjoys a climate
that is one of the wonders of the
world. The tropical sun is temper
ed by the high altitude, and the
average %year-round temperature is
seventy degrees. The charms Of
Caracas have been praised in many
parts of the world, in differen'
languages. LatinS have writer
sonnets about them, while more
prosaic Anglo-Saxons have expires
sed their devotion by going there
for a few months visit and staying
forever. "The place hooked mt
up," they sigh contentedly ant
settle down to live their lives il
the verdant Valley of Caracas.
Due chiefly to the mild climate
life in Caracas is comfortable ant
casual, free and easy. In this cit,
of eternal spring, dress is not /;
matter of great Importance. TIL,
housewife who in the morning goe.
to the market in a cotton dress
may emerge in the evening in
Paris gown, a fur stole flung owe
her shoulders to ward-off the even
ing chill. Although money doe
not float down the capital street
in rivers of oil, it is abundant
Evidences of the city's wealth ar,
apparent on every side. The shop,
display luxury goods from ever.
part Of the world. Shoppers ma,
buy a Paris gown, the finest Ma
deira linen, silver from Peru, Swe
dish glass, a handkerchief from
China, a Cadillac o. an Englisl
Jaguar, or Ford. There is some
thing for everyone, from every
where.
Spanish Version Page 8