Santa Elena de Uairén

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Santa Elena de Uairén
City
The City of Santa Elena de Uairén
Nickname(s):  Santa Elena
Santa Elena de Uairén
Coordinates: 4°36′7.63″N 61°6′40.3″W / 4.6021194°N 61.111194°W / 4.6021194; -61.111194
Country	Venezuela
Region	Guayana
State	Bolívar
Municipality	Gran Sabana
Founded	November 13, 1923
Elevation	900 m (3,000 ft)
Population  (2006)
• Total	29,795
Time zone	UTC−4 (VET)
Postal Code	8052
Area code	+58 288
Climate	Am

Santa Elena de Uairén (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈsanta eˈlena ðe wajˈɾen]) is a small Venezuelan city (29,795 inhabitants in 2006) in the state of Bolívar near the border with Brazil and Guyana. It was Founded by Lucas Fernandez Peña in 1923. The city's name originates from the first daughter of Lucas Fernandez Pena Elena, and Uairén by the river that crosses the city.

Located in the middle of La Gran Sabana, Santa Elena is home to many travel agencies offering tours in Canaima National Park, flights over Angel Falls, and hiking tours to the famous Monte Roraima.

The town is notable for its influential presence of indigenous peoples; there is even a community called Manakrü (pronounced mah-nah-CREE) populated entirely by indigenous people. The schools in this neighborhood use both Spanish and Pemon, an indigenous language.

Due to its proximity to the Brazilian state of Roraima, Santa Elena sees a busy exchange between the two countries of Brazilian consumer products from Brazil and Venezuelan oil and petrol. Other Brazilian cities that trade with Santa Elena de Uairen are Manaus, Santarém, Macapá, Belém.

History[]

Santa Elena was founded in 1923 by Lucas Fernández Peña, attracted by diamond's mines found there. In 1999, a free zone was declared in the city, due to its proximity to Brazil, the city is crowded of Brazilians during the weekends seeking low prices (food, electronics, hygiene products...)

References[]

• Mina Zapata at Mindat.org

Gold specimen from Mina Zapata, Santa Elena de Uairén

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Santa Elena de Uairén.

• Photo of Statue of the Virgin Mary that stands at the edge of town