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Encyclopedia > Isla Margarita
Puerto Cruz beach.
Puerto Cruz beach.

Isla Margarita or Margarita Island (Spanish – Isla de Margarita) is the largest island of the Nueva Esparta State in Venezuela, situated in the Caribbean Sea, off the northeastern coast of the country. The state also contains two other smaller islands: Coche and Cubagua. The capital is La Asunción, located in a river valley of the same name. Primary industries are tourism, fishing and construction. Its population is about 420,000. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1426 KB) Summary A beach in Margarita Island in Venezuela. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (2048x1536, 1426 KB) Summary A beach in Margarita Island in Venezuela. ... Estado Nueva Esparta is one of the 23 states (estados) of Venezuela. ... Map of Central America and the Caribbean Caribbean Sea from space (top left). ... Isla de Coche (Coche Island) is an island in the Nueva Esparta State in Venezuela, situated in the Caribbean between Isla Margarita and the mainland. ... La Asunción is a city in Venezuela. ...

Contents

Geography

Beach near Pampatar
Beach near Pampatar
Macanao
Macanao

Located in the Caribbean sea between latitudes 10° 52' N and 11° 11' N and longitudes 63° 48' W and 64° 23' W, it belongs to the State of Nueva Esparta which also comprises the islands of Coche and Cubagua. The island is formed by two peninsulas joined by an isthmus. It covers an area of 1,020 km². It splits into two sections linked by an 18-km (11-mi) spit of sand. It is 78 km long and its widest side measures roughly 20 km. The climate is very sunny and dry with temperatures from 24 to 37ºC. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 939 KB) Wilfredor Playa Pampatar, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 939 KB) Wilfredor Playa Pampatar, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 891 KB) // Wilfredor Naturaleza Macanao, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1280x960, 891 KB) // Wilfredor Naturaleza Macanao, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Metadata This file contains additional... Map of Central America and the Caribbean Caribbean Sea from space (top left). ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ... Isla de Coche (Coche Island) is an island in the Nueva Esparta State in Venezuela, situated in the Caribbean between Isla Margarita and the mainland. ... This article or section does not cite any references or sources. ... The Isthmus of Panama connects North and South America. ...


Most of the island's 420,000 residents live in the more developed eastern part, especially in the city of Porlamar and adjoining city of Pampatar. Others are found in the much smaller city of La Asunción, the capital of the region or Juan Griego. Direct flights from Caracas and other Venezuelan cities, as well as scheduled or charter flights from a number of North American and European cities, ferries from Puerto La Cruz, Cumaná, and La Guaira also travel to the island.


The Macanao peninsula to the west has a central mountain range in the east-west direction. The highest altitude is 760 m at Pico de Macanao. Several smaller ranges derive from this axis following a north-south orientation with deep valleys between them. The most notable of this valleys is San Francisco in the north-central part of the peninsula. The Paraguachoa peninsula to the East is formed by a mountain range in the North-South direction from Porlamar to Cabo Negro. The highest peaks are San Juan or Cerro Grande (920m) and El Copey (890m). Both peninsulas are connected by La Restinga, an isthmus of low altitude with a lagoon called La Restinga. Porlamar is the largest city of Isla Margarita, Venezuela. ... This mid bay barrier in Narrabeen, a suburb of Sydney (Australia), has blocked what used to be a bay to form a lagoon. ...


History

1840 map by Agustín Codazzi.
1840 map by Agustín Codazzi.
La Galera, a Spanish colonial fort
La Galera, a Spanish colonial fort

In 1498, Christopher Columbus discovered Margarita Island. The local natives, named Guaiqueries, received the conquering Spaniards with open arms unaware that they later would become slaves of their own wealth. Pearls represented almost a third of all New World tribute to the Spanish Crown. Margarita Island had to be fortified against the increasing threat of pirate attacks, and several of these fortifications remain today. In 1561, the island was seized by Lope de Aguirre, a notoriously violent and rebellious conquistador who held the islanders in a grip of terror until he returned to the mainland in an attempt to take Panama from the Spanish crown. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (854x605, 149 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (854x605, 149 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita ... Juan Bautista Agustín Codazzi (1793-1858), Italian scientist, geographer and cartographer. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1044x767, 943 KB) Fortín de La Galera, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Juan Griego Metadata This file contains additional information... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1044x767, 943 KB) Fortín de La Galera, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Juan Griego Metadata This file contains additional information... 1498 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Christopher Columbus (1451 – May 20, 1506) was a navigator and maritime explorer credited as the discoverer of the Americas. ... Lope de Agguire Lope de Aguirre ( c. ... Conquistador (Spanish: []) (meaning Conqueror in the Spanish language) is the term used to refer to the soldiers, explorers and adventurers who brought much of the Americas and Asia Pacific under Spanish colonial rule between the 15th and 17th centuries, starting with the 1492 settlement established in the modern-day Bahamas...


In 1814, the islanders fought successfully for independence from the Spanish, and Isla Margarita became the first free territory in Venezuela. It was on Margarita Island that Simon Bolivar, later called the Libertador, was confirmed as Commander in Chief of the new republic, la gran Colombia. From there he started to free Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia from the Spanish Crown. Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios (July 24, 1783 – December 17, 1830) was a South American revolutionary leader. ...


Main Cities

Porlamar

The biggest city on Margarita island is Porlamar, known for its commercial center; it flourishes with shops and good restaurants. About 85,000 people live there during the low season in Porlamar; about 125,000, in the high season. It has two city beaches and a soon-to-be-opened harbour for cruise ships. Porlamar is the largest city of Isla Margarita, Venezuela. ...


Pampatar

Fisherman in his traditional boat near Pampatar
Fisherman in his traditional boat near Pampatar

Is one of the largest towns on the island . Pampatar has around 50,000 citizens in its greater area. Most of the larger shopping malls are in its Jurisdiction: Sambil Margarita, Rattan Depot, Centro Comercial AB (Avenida Bolivar), and La Redoma. It has several beaches. It is the seat of the Castillo San Carlos Borromeo constructed approximately from 1664 to 1684. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1242x978, 1078 KB) // Wilfredor Playa Pampatar, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Metadata This file contains additional... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1242x978, 1078 KB) // Wilfredor Playa Pampatar, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Metadata This file contains additional... Pampatar coastline Pampatar is a city on Isla Margarita, Nueva Esparta State, Venezuela. ...


La Asunción

A view of Juan Griego from the jetty with the waves crashing on the front
A view of Juan Griego from the jetty with the waves crashing on the front

La Asunción is the capital of the Federal State of Nueva Esparta with about 25,000 citizens. It is the seat of the regional government. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 794 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1632 × 1232 pixel, file size: 681 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) View of Juan Griego from the jetty I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 794 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (1632 × 1232 pixel, file size: 681 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) View of Juan Griego from the jetty I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... La Asunción is a city in Venezuela. ... Nueva Esparta State Anthem Motto: none Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1909 State capital La Asunción Area    â€¢% 1,150 km² 0,12   (Ranked 23rd) Population    â€¢% 436,900 hab. ...


Juan Griego

A city of around 45 000 people, it has small shopping centres and nice beaches. Some of the best restaurants are in Juan Griego. La Galera is a fortress not far off the city centre, where, in the early 1820s, a fierce battle for independence was fought. La Galera, a Spanish colonial fort, separates the bay in two Juan Griego is a port on the northern side of Isla Margarita, and is the most northern port in Venezuela. ... Nationalistic independence helped reshape the world during this decade: Greece gains independence from the Ottoman Empire in the Greek War of Independence (1821-1827). ...


Tourism

Playa El Yaque, famous for its non-stop wind ideal for windsurfing
Playa El Yaque, famous for its non-stop wind ideal for windsurfing
La Galera beach
La Galera beach

Margarita Island can usually be reached by ferry or by airplane, as the Santiago Mariño International Airport is located 25 kilometers away from the city of Porlamar. Its status as a duty-free port and proximity to the mainland make it one of the top vacation spots for Venezuelans. Vacationers crowd the island especially during Christmas time, Easter week, and from July to mid-September. Venezuelan tourists come on shopping sprees; whiskey, cheese, chocolate, and electrical appliances, are among the goods that can be purchased less expensively than on the mainland. Also, many retired people choose Margarita as an ideal, peaceful dwelling place. The island has numerous beaches, which range from solitary to crowded. Playa El Agua, in the north, is the most popular with 4 Km of fine sand. Playa El Yaque is internationally known as an excellent location for windsurfing. Playa Parguito, Playa Caribe, and Punta de Arena are also popular beaches. Many resorts cater to the international, Caribbean-loving crowd, especially from European countries. The beach of Playa Puerto Cruz is one of the most popular with tourists. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1133x733, 389 KB) Wilfredor Playa el Yaque, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Playa El Yaque ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1133x733, 389 KB) Wilfredor Playa el Yaque, Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Isla Margarita Playa El Yaque ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1120x975, 978 KB) [edit] Description Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1120x975, 978 KB) [edit] Description Margarita, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. ... Del Caribe International General Santiago Marino Airport (IATA: PMV, ICAO: SVMG) is located near Porlamar, and is the only commercial airport on Isla Margarita, Venezuela. ... Porlamar is the largest city of Isla Margarita, Venezuela. ... Christmas is an annual holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. ... Easter, the Sunday of the Resurrection, Pascha, or Resurrection Day, is the most important religious feast of the Christian liturgical year, observed at some point between late March and late April each year (early April to early May in Eastern Christianity), following the cycle of the moon. ... We dont have an article called Playa El Yaque Start this article Search for Playa El Yaque in. ... Windsurfing in Essex, England Windsurfing (also called boardsailing) is a sport involving travel over water on a small 2-4. ... “West Indian” redirects here. ... Playa Puerto Cruz, is located near Pedro Gonzalez in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. ...


External link

  • (Spanish) Isla de Margarita official website
  • (French) Isla de Margarita French speaking website
  • (Spanish) Isla de Margarita Spanish information website

Coordinates: 11°00′N, 64°10′W Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...





  Results from FactBites:
 
Isla Margarita (413 words)
Isla Margarita well know in Europe and Canada as the alternative to the relative expensive islands of the northern Caribbean.
Isla Margarita still has a few well kept secrets as the small town of Juan Griego and Playa Galera, the islands of Coche, Los Frailes, Isla Blanquilla, Los Testigos and the island of Cubagua.
Margarita is rich in history and landscapes, and offers exciting possibilities: golfing, horseback riding, boat excursions to the national park 'La Restinga' or to the small island of Coche, jeep safaris, scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing or historic tours of antique cathedrals and Spanish forts.
The Washington Times - Isla Margarita (1943 words)
Margarita, the main isle of the state with nearly 350,000 inhabitants, is where practically everything occurs.
Navarro, born in Margarita, is a new face in the forefront of the political life of Nueva Esparta State.
Navarro explained that Isla Margarita used to be an island where police vigilance was unnecessary; however with the implementation of the duty-free zone decades ago, the influx of tourists as well as an increasing migratory population, a certain degree of insecurity surfaced, most commonly in marginal communities.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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