CENTRAL-WESTERN REGION

It consists of the Falcon, Lara, Portuguesa and Yaracuy states. The central-western
region is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, on the south by the Andes, to
the east with the central region and western with the regions of the Andes and Zulia.
1. Capitals:
Falcon State: Coro
Lara State: Barquisimeto
Portuguesa State: Guanare
Yaracuy State: San Felipe
2. History
Falcon
Lara state was initially occupied by indigenous groups like the caquetos, the Jirajaras
and gayones, settled in the Tocuyo; while Axaguas and Achaguas were located in the
present municipality Torres.
Portuguesa
Yaracuy
3. Physical geography
Terrain: The region has a varied relief, the north is the Paraguana Peninsula and a
coastline made up of a wide Coastal Plain in the Falcon State. At South is the Coriano
System with saws which have an orientation to the east-west. At South of Coriano
system is the Depression Carora-Barquisimeto, with flat relief and interrupted by small
hills and slopes
Climate: the Paraguana Peninsula, the coastal plain of Falcon State and the
Depression Carora-Barquisimeto have semi-arid climate, desert vegetation. At regions
of Portuguesa and Yaracuy State have temperate climate of altitude, tropophilous, with

clouds, vegetation forests, plains, tropical savanna climate and predominant vegetation
is savanna.
Hydrography: the Rivers of the north and the Depression Carora-Barquisimeto, not
many, and therefore, reflecting the arid climatic conditions; the main ones are Hueque
and Tocuyo. In the rest of the region are the rivers: Aroa and Yaracuy, Portuguesa,
Guarico, Turen and Guanare (Portuguesa state).
Demographic: The four entities that make up the region represent 7.3% of the national
area and concentrate 15.2% of the population with a density of 41.2 inhabitants / km.
Well above the national average (19,9hab / km). For 1991 represent 14.9% of the total
population.
4. Economy:
Agricultural activities are the most important in the economy of this region, sisal crops,
onion, sesame, sugarcane, tomato and pineapple. Dairy farming is practiced
successfully in Lara and Falcon, while the meat is important in Portuguesa State. Goat
rearing is significant in Falcon and Lara. Industrialization is especially relevant
Paraguana Peninsula with two major refineries in the country (Amuay and Punta
Cardon). In the area of Barquisimeto; its geographical location is excellent where
important roads converge, it stands out as a commercial center in the region and also
the manufacturing industry is manifested by the presence of factories of food,
beverages, textiles and cement, sugar mills and steel items.
5. Geography (Touristic Places)
Falcon State is famous for its beautiful beaches, dunes and natural scenery of the
valleys and mountains
Lara It has great artisan wealth and a potential tourist development, natural beauty,
and folk and cultural demonstrations.

Is included among the destinations for

ecotourism because it has four national parks (Yacamb, Terepaima, Dinira and Cerro

Saroche) and a natural monument (Loma de Leon), protected by a special

management regime that protects their wealth flora and fauna.
The Portuguese state has several resorts and places for sport fishing. It has four
national parks: Terepaima, Guache-Guaramacal, Dinira
Some of the major tourist attractions that owns Yaracuy are the natural monument
Cerro Maria Lionza, also pose numerous parks such as recreational park Leonor
Bernabo and one of the parks and most important nature reserves in the country it is
the park Exotic Tropical flora and Mission of Our Lady of Carmen, it is considered a
botanical garden.
6. Gastronomy
The typical food from Falcon allows the enjoyment of a variety of flavors represented in
its specialties, such as: goatlings Talkar, goatling with yucca, goat in coconut, mojito.
Lara's cuisine is varied because it brings together almost all national dishes. For
Example: goat tripe. Hallaca, chicken stew, serum, goat cheese, Catalinas, Olleta of
rooster.
Portuguese cuisine is characterized by its simplicity: cross, minced, or fried coporo
bocachico.
In Yaracuy different dishes as elaborate: Cachapas, arifuque, Cossack, Mute goat,
Skirt nirgea
7. Religious Holidays
Coro is a religious city, it has many Catholic churches and temples, among these are:
Cathedral, Church of St. Nicholas of Bari, Chapel of San Clemente, San Francisco
Church, among others.
In Lara state people has great devotion to their patron La Divina Pastora, year after
year the faithful devotees go in procession honoring the sacred virgin.
The Yaracuy state has a religious diversity. As in Venezuela, Yaracuy also celebrates
hard Catholic and the most important festivals, worship Maria Lionza (patron of "witch",
the center of worship is the Mountain "Sorte" located in Chivacoa).

Portuguese religiously represents an important site for the Venezuelan Catholic people,
as specifically in the city of Guanare appears in 1652 the Virgin of Coromoto patron of
Venezuela
8. Clothing and typical dances
The folklore in Falcon, has customs and religious expressions with a seal of originality
being a tourist incentive, with dances like the crazies of La Vela and The Dance of
The Turas".
Among the traditional festivals of the Lara state are the Zaragoza, which is a party in
honor of the Holy Innocents; and Tamunangue or dancing blacks of San Antonio, which
is a party in honor of the saint celebrated in his day. Folk events of this state are varied
and rich in color and tradition.
Portuguese is one of the states where even the traditional llanera mandolin, special
rhythmic harmony is preserved. Also they resonate four, maracas and harp, sound
joropo highs. Some of the musical expressions of the state are the Chipola and
burrowing passage.
Among the dances In Yaracuy

are: "The Sebucn", "Mare Mare", "The Bird

Guarandol" La Parranda of San Juan "," The Wake of the Cross "or" Bear Melero, "the
latter, metaphor inspired by indigenous Jira-Jara
9. Celebrities and famous people
Falcon has historical figures as Josefa Camejo, Cacique Manaure, Juan Crisostomo
Falco, and celebrities today as Jos David Curiel, (poet and literary critic), Catharina
Irausquin Rivero (teacher), Alonso Gamero (scientist, writer, and poet).
The Lara state has historical figures like Jacinto Lara, Juan Guillermo Iribarren, Pedro
Len Torres, Jose Gil Fortoul, Lisandro Alvarado. Also athletes like Luis Leal, Antonio
Castillo and prominent musicians like Pio Alvarado, Pablo Canela and Gustavo
Dudamel.
In the Portuguesa State the celebrities are: Jose Antonio Paez, Luis Antonio Herrera
Campins, Doctor Juan de la Cruz Maca, Colonel Mauricio Zamora, Theresa Heredia

Among the celebrities in Yaracuy are: Carmelo Fernndez, Aristides Bastidas, Pedro
Pablo Caldera, Manuel Cedeo, among others.
10.

Flags and shields