San Fernando de Apure is a city in Apure State in Venezuela. The population of the municipality area is 165,135. The 18th century exports included heron feathers and animal hides. The “Maria Nieves” bridge across the Apure River at San Fernando commenced construction in 1959 under the direction of President Rómulo Betancourt, and was opened February 1, 1961. It cost 8.5 million bolivars. Notable is the Casa de Bolivar, a National Historical Monument, at the intersection of Comercio St. and Independencia St. It is the 18th Century Armory, and was the dwelling of General Miguel Gerrero. Now it contains a public library as well as the cultural offices of the municipality. It was restored in 1983.
History
It was founded February 28, 1788 on the banks of the Rio Apure, Apure River, by Fernando de Miyares González, the Governor and Captain General of Barinas Province, New Granada, with the assistance of Don Juan Antonio Rodríguez and the Capuchine monk Fray Buenaventura de Benaocaz. On December 1, 1793 it was elevated to the status of a town. The Eighteenth Century exports included heron feathers and animal hides. In 1831 a private school for young men was opened by Master Juan Castellano; in 1844 classes for younger children were added; in 1875 the Federal High School was opened; and at the end of the 19th century the Federal School Leon XIII was opened. The bridge across the Rio Apure at San Fernando commenced construction in 1959 under the direction of President Rómulo Betancourt, and was opened February 1, 1961. It cost 8.5 million bolivars.
Geography and climate
San Fernando de Apure is recognized in Venezuela, to be a very warm locality by its location in the center of the Venezuelan plains. The daily annual average is 27.8 °C. Nevertheless, it is easily bearable. The humidity can reach more than 79%, or due to its location next to the Apure River that in its closer point of the city covers up to 300 meters wide in its channel. The relief of San Fernando is totally a plain. Natural land elevations do not exist, and the visibility of the horizon can reach up to 10 km. Some high barriers can be artificially by engineer installations for the prevention of floods. The city is established on humid grounds, reason why civil constructions superior to 5 levels are not admitted. In this sense, San Fernando projects a flat skyline. This town also has an interesting phenomenon and fact regarding antipodes; San Fernando de Apure is a near-exact antipode to the city ofBatu, Indonesia.
Satellite towns of San Fernando
Parishes
El Recreo
Peñalver
San Fernando
San Rafael de Atamaica
Gallery Images
Demographics
The city is conformed by three urban nucleus: San Fernando de Apure, who covers all the metropolitan area in both shores of the Apure River, the satellite town of Biruaca to the west, which conforms another political jurisdiction, and to the east El Recreo parish. In agreement with the 2001 Venezuelan census, the urban area of San Fernando was conformed by 175.056 inhabitants, having Biruaca an intercensal rate of the 69,4% relative growth, and San Fernando the 36,1%. San Fernando lifestyle varies according to zone, wealth and age. Many young people of the metropolitan area characterize themselves to assume an urban style with fort influence of nonown cultures of the locality, reflecting in first term North America lifestyle, and soon expressions of the north region of Venezuela. The adult population of the city is charged of a mixed style, that goes from traditional llanero customs, to the nonown. In certain groups of the greater adult population a traditional lifestyle is present, with typical characteristics of the region. Towards in the peripheral zones of the city, can be appreciated very rustic customs and traditions, with little impact of nonown cultures.
