View source for Coro, Venezuela

{{More citations needed|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions --> | name                     = Coro
 | official_name            = Santa Ana de Coro
 | native_name              = <!-- if different from the English name -->
 | native_name_lang         = <!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
 | other_name               = Neu-Augsburg
 | coordinates              = {{coord|11.417|N|69.67|W|region:VE_type:city|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
 | settlement_type          = [[List of cities in Venezuela|Capital City]]
 | subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
 | subdivision_type1        = [[States of Venezuela|State]]
 | subdivision_type2        = [[Municipalities of Venezuela|Municipality]]
 | subdivision_name         = {{flag|Venezuela}}
 | subdivision_name1        = {{flag|Falcón}}
 | subdivision_name2        = [[Miranda Municipality, Falcón|Miranda]]
 | blank1_name              = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
 | blank1_info              = [[Desert climate#Hot desert climates|BWh]]
 | footnotes                = {{Infobox UNESCO World Heritage Site
  |child = yes
  |Official_name = Coro and [[La Vela de Coro|its Port]]
  |ID = 658
  |Year = 1993
  |Danger = 2005 - 
  |Criteria = Cultural: iv, v
  |Area = 18.4 ha
  |Buffer_zone = 186.3 ha
  }}
 | image_skyline            = {{Photomontage
| photo1a = Casco central Santa Ana de Coro, estado Falcon, Venezuela.jpg
| photo2a = Estación de Servicio Lara, Coro, Estado Falcón, Venezuela.jpg
| photo2b = Coro 0035.jpg
| photo3a = Los Médanos de Coro, Estado Falcón, Venezuela.jpg
| photo3b = Calle de Coro.JPG
| size = 260
| spacing = 
| color = white
| border = 2
| color_border = white
}}
 | image_caption            = Historic centre of Santa Ana de Coro, service station, museum, [[Médanos Isthmus|Los Médanos de Coro]], and street of Coro.
 | population_total         = 195227
 | population_as_of         = 2022
 |area_total_km2=45
 |population_density_km2=auto
 | pushpin_map              = Venezuela
 |established_date=26 July 1527
 |established_title=Established
}}

'''Coro''' is the capital of [[Falcón|Falcón State]] and the second oldest city in [[Venezuela]] (after [[Cumaná]]). It was founded on July 26, 1527, by [[Juan de Ampíes]] as '''Santa Ana de Coro'''. It was historically known as '''Neu-[[Augsburg]]''' (from 1528 to 1546) by the German [[Welsers]], and Coro by the Spanish colonizers and Venezuelans, the city and buildings were built during the Spanish Empire. It is established at the south of the [[Paraguaná Peninsula]] in a coastal plain, flanked by the [[Médanos de Coro National Park]] to the north and the [[Sierra de Falcón|Sierra de Coro]] to the south, at a few kilometers from its port ([[La Vela de Coro]]) in the [[Caribbean Sea]] at a point equidistant between the Ensenada de La Vela and Golfete de Coro.

It has a wide cultural tradition that comes from being the urban settlement founded by the Spanish conquerors who colonized the interior of the continent. As '''Neu-Augsburg''', it was the first [[German colonial projects before 1871|German colony]] in the Americas under the [[Welser family]] of [[Augsburg]] (from 1528 to 1546). It was then the first capital of the Spanish [[Captaincy General of Venezuela]] (1546–1578) and head of the first bishop founded in [[South America]] in 1531. The precursor movement of the independence and of vindication of the dominated classes in Venezuela originated in this region; it is also considered to be the cradle of the Venezuelan federalist movement in the republican era.

Thanks to the city's history, culture and its well-preserved Colonial architecture, "Coro and its port La Vela" was designated in 1993 as a [[World Heritage Site]] by [[UNESCO]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Coro {{!}} Venezuela {{!}} History, Climate & Economy {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Coro |access-date=2023-10-18 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref> Since 2005 it is on the UNESCO's [[List of World Heritage in Danger]].<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/658/ UNESCO official website.]</ref>

== Toponymy ==
At its founding the town was called Santa Ana de Coro (there is now an unsuccessful campaign to reinstate the colonial name of the city) in the Spanish style that named new cities in America according to the Catholic calendar, accompanied by a name of Indian origin. According to the tradition the word ''coro'' derives from the [[Caquetio language|Caquetio]] word ''curiana'', meaning "place of winds".<ref>karen Larkins, ''Smithsonian Magazine'', March 2009, [http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Endangered-Cultural-Treasures-Port-City-of-Coro-Venezuela.html Endangered Site: Port City of Coro, Venezuela] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617205217/http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Endangered-Cultural-Treasures-Port-City-of-Coro-Venezuela.html |date=2012-06-17 }}</ref> However, according to the authoritative [[Diccionario de la lengua española de la Real Academia Española|DRAE]] Spanish dictionary, the word ''coro'' in its second meaning means "wind of the northwest", and comes from the Latin ''caurus''.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

== History ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=February 2023}}

=== Early history ===
{{Main|Spanish colonization of the Americas|Klein-Venedig}}
[[File:Fachada de la Catedral de Coro.jpg|thumb|[[Cathedral of Coro]]]]
[[File:Iglesia de San Nicolás de Bari, Coro.jpg|thumb|Church of San Nicolás de Bari]]
[[File:Coro (2003) 06.jpg|thumb|Colonial palace in Coro]]
[[File:Hermita en Coro.JPG|thumb|Colonial hermitage in Coro]]
The city was founded on July 26, 1527, by [[Juan de Ampués|Juan Martín de Ampués]], with the name of [[Saint Anne|Santa Ana]] de Coro. Ampíes covenanted to respect the authority of the Native chief Manaure highest authority of the natives of the region, the [[Caquetio people]], This covenant is broken abruptly in 1529 with the landing at the city's first Governor and Captain General [[Ambrosius Ehinger]] representing the [[Welser]], an [[Augsburg]] banking and trading family. The family received the [[Province of Venezuela]] (as ''[[Klein-Venedig]]'') from the emperor [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Charles V]] for exploration, founding cities and exploitation of the resources of this vast territory that stretched from [[Cabo de la Vela]] ([[Guajira Peninsula]]) to Maracapana (near the city of [[Barcelona, Anzoátegui]]). From Coro emerged multiple expeditions to the Venezuelan and Colombian [[Llanos]], the [[Andes]] and the [[Orinoco]] River in search of [[El Dorado]], which allowed the conquerors to explore these vast territories. The government of the Welsers ends in 1545 for breach of contract and conflict of interests between them and the Spanish conquistadors who explored the territory from other focal points of the Spanish Empire in [[Latin America|America]]. The city is in its early days a "beachhead" or outpost of the Spanish during the conquest and colonization in the western and central Venezuela. From them left the expeditions of exploration and founding of new towns.

Santa Ana de Coro lost the political capital of the [[Venezuela Province]] (also known as the '''Coro Province''' in official documents of the time) in 1578 to [[Caracas]], motivated by repeated invasions of [[pirate]]s (the [[Preston–Somers expedition]] was one) and especially to the harshness of its climate. Finally it was no longer the seat of the bishopric in 1636.

=== Fall and rise ===
During the seventeenth century Coro was hit by a hurricane and invasions of pirates, to the point where it appeared in the charts of English and French of the time with the title of "destroyed." However, these calamities left intact the countryside, with its productive power, which allowed it to recover slowly. Thus, in the late 18th and early 19th century reaches its colonial peak. Precisely from this period are the best preserved civilian buildings in the city.

In 1795 a slave uprising occurs, and generally dominated social classes in the Sierra de Coro, led by the free [[zambo]] [[José Leonardo Chirino]], which was aimed at the elimination of slavery and the establishment of the republican regime known for the time as "the French law". The movement, which would be the forerunner in the independence process would end in defeat, the capture and killing of rebel leader.

=== Independence ===
In 1806 an expedition landed in the port of La Vela de Coro led by [[Francisco de Miranda]]. It was intended to be liberating, but was not greeted with enthusiasm by the locals. The expedition is still important as the precursor of the [[Spanish American wars of independence]] and in particular for bringing the [[Tricolour (flag)|tricolor]], eventually adopted as the [[flag of Gran Colombia]]. It is now the basis for the official flag of three American republics, [[Colombia]], [[Venezuela]] and [[Ecuador]]. The port of La Vela de Coro was where it was raised for the first time in Venezuela.

During the beginning of the [[Venezuelan War of Independence]], Coro, [[Maracaibo]] and [[Guiana Shield|Guiana]] did not comply with the provisions of the [[Junta Suprema de Caracas]] on April 19, 1810, remaining loyal to Spanish rule. Subsequently, formed a bulwark of the Spanish Empire to land on its coasts the troops that end up destroying the [[First Republic of Venezuela]]. In 1821, finally the [[Coro Province]] incorporates to the process of independence, with the capture of the city by the troops led by the heroine [[Josefa Camejo]] and a group of [[patriotism|patriots]] who came a long time plotting. By the time the General [[Rafael Urdaneta]] invades from Maracaibo commanding the Grancolombian army, and the city had been released a few days earlier for the Coro army commanded by Camejo.

The [[War of Independence of Venezuela|War of Independence]] and later the civil wars of the 19th century (including the [[Federal War]] that began in Coro) leaving the city deserted and destroyed its field, which plunged her into a period of decline that would recover the half- well into the 20th century with the construction of [[oil]] refineries in the [[Paraguaná Peninsula]] and the changes in Venezuela following the passage of a rural to an urban and oil country.

Since the early 50s Coro was declared a National Heritage.

== Geography ==
[[File:Medanos de C..jpg|thumb|Sand dunes of [[Médanos de Coro National Park]]]]
Coro is located at north of the [[Coro region]], transition between the [[Venezuelan Coastal Range]] and the [[Cordillera de Mérida]]. Located on a coastal plain of [[xerophytic|xerophyte]] vegetation (19 msn) covering the entire western [[Falcón]] state and reaches its narrowest point just in the city, closing a few miles east of Coro by foothills of the [[Sierra de Falcón]]. To the north lies the [[Médanos Isthmus]], named for it found in a formation of dunes or sand fields that have been formed by persistent [[trade wind]]s and ocean currents. The isthmus connects the [[Paraguaná Peninsula]] with the mainland. at south of the city are the foothills of the Sierra de Falcón.

=== Climate ===
Due to its extremely high [[Evapotranspiration|potential evapotranspiration]], Coro has a [[semi-arid climate#Hot semi-arid climates|hot semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''BSh'') despite receiving an average of approximately {{convert|452|mm|in|0|disp=or}} of rainfall per year over 50.1 precipitation days. Humidity remains at a similar level year-round. The highest rainfall occurs between October and December, while March is the driest month. The average [[temperature]] is {{convert|28.9|°C|°F|1}}, with minimum temperatures of {{convert|23|°C|°F}} and maximum {{convert|36|°C|°F|1}}. The city is sunny, averaging over 3100 hours of sunshine a year, with January being the sunniest month.<ref name="NOAA" /> It is characterized by strong winds that can register speeds of {{convert|35|km/h|mph knot}}.

On 29 April 2015, Coro recorded a temperature of {{convert|43.6|C|F|abbr=on}}, which is the highest temperature to have ever been recorded in Venezuela.<ref name=wu20151021>{{cite web |last1=Masters |first1=Jeff |url=https://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/sixteen-nationalterritorial-alltime-extreme-heat-records-set-in-2015.html |title=Sixteen National/Territorial All-Time Extreme Heat Records Set in 2015 |publisher=Wunderground |date=27 January 2016 |access-date=19 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180204182639/https://www.wunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/sixteen-nationalterritorial-alltime-extreme-heat-records-set-in-2015.html |archive-date=4 February 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Coro has never recorded a temperature below {{convert|18.9|C|F|abbr=on}}.

{{Weather box
| location = Coro (1991–2020, extremes 1961–2020)
| single line = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| Jan record high C = 37.8
| Feb record high C = 37.8
| Mar record high C = 41.6
| Apr record high C = 43.6
| May record high C = 41.4
| Jun record high C = 43.0
| Jul record high C = 43.2
| Aug record high C = 45.0
| Sep record high C = 45.0
| Oct record high C = 41.8
| Nov record high C = 39.3
| Dec record high C = 40.5
| year record high C = 45.0
| Jan high C = 29.9
| Feb high C = 30.1
| Mar high C = 31.4
| Apr high C = 31.9
| May high C = 32.7
| Jun high C = 33.0
| Jul high C = 32.9
| Aug high C = 33.9
| Sep high C = 34.0
| Oct high C = 32.3
| Nov high C = 31.3
| Dec high C = 30.3
| year high C = 32.0
| Jan mean C = 26.8
| Feb mean C = 27.2
| Mar mean C = 27.8
| Apr mean C = 28.6
| May mean C = 29.3
| Jun mean C = 29.4
| Jul mean C = 29.2
| Aug mean C = 29.8
| Sep mean C = 29.8
| Oct mean C = 29.1
| Nov mean C = 28.4
| Dec mean C = 27.4
| year mean C = 28.6
| Jan low C = 23.8
| Feb low C = 24.0
| Mar low C = 24.6
| Apr low C = 25.6
| May low C = 26.3
| Jun low C = 26.5
| Jul low C = 26.2
| Aug low C = 26.6
| Sep low C = 26.7
| Oct low C = 26.2
| Nov low C = 25.6
| Dec low C = 24.6
| year low C = 25.6
| Jan record low C = 19.5
| Feb record low C = 19.0
| Mar record low C = 19.0
| Apr record low C = 21.1
| May record low C = 20.4
| Jun record low C = 21.8
| Jul record low C = 20.0
| Aug record low C = 21.6
| Sep record low C = 20.5
| Oct record low C = 20.0
| Nov record low C = 20.8
| Dec record low C = 18.8
| year record low C = 18.8
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 24.5
| Feb rain mm = 19.9
| Mar rain mm = 21.8
| Apr rain mm = 19.0
| May rain mm = 24.8
| Jun rain mm = 26.8
| Jul rain mm = 33.5
| Aug rain mm = 39.3
| Sep rain mm = 43.7
| Oct rain mm = 83.9
| Nov rain mm = 65.2
| Dec rain mm = 57.0
| year rain mm = 459.4
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan rain days = 3.4
| Feb rain days = 2.3
| Mar rain days = 1.3
| Apr rain days = 1.4
| May rain days = 1.2
| Jun rain days = 4.3
| Jul rain days = 4.1
| Aug rain days = 4.9
| Sep rain days = 6.1
| Oct rain days = 8.3
| Nov rain days = 6.3
| Dec rain days = 7.6
| year rain days = 50.2
| Jan humidity = 69.0
| Feb humidity = 68.5
| Mar humidity = 67.0
| Apr humidity = 69.0
| May humidity = 68.5
| Jun humidity = 68.0
| Jul humidity = 67.5
| Aug humidity = 67.0
| Sep humidity = 67.0
| Oct humidity = 70.5
| Nov humidity = 72.0
| Dec humidity = 71.0
| year humidity = 68.8
| Jan sun = 291.4
| Feb sun = 268.8
| Mar sun = 288.3
| Apr sun = 234.0
| May sun = 248.0
| Jun sun = 255.0
| Jul sun = 285.2
| Aug sun = 288.3
| Sep sun = 261.0
| Oct sun = 251.1
| Nov sun = 252.0
| Dec sun = 266.6
| year sun = 3189.7
| Jand sun = 9.4
| Febd sun = 9.6
| Mard sun = 9.3
| Aprd sun = 7.8
| Mayd sun = 8.0
| Jund sun = 8.5
| Juld sun = 9.2
| Augd sun = 9.3
| Sepd sun = 8.7
| Octd sun = 8.1
| Novd sun = 8.4
| Decd sun = 8.6
| yeard sun = 8.7
|source 1 = [[NOAA]] (sun 1971–1990)<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240210024634/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Venezuela/CSV/Coro_80403.csv
| archive-date = 10 February 2024
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Venezuela/CSV/Coro_80403.csv
| title = Coro Climate Normals 1991–2020
| work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 9 February 2024}}</ref><ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240210024757/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REGIII/VN/80403.TXT
| archive-date = 10 February 2024
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REGIII/VN/80403.TXT
| title = Coro Climate Normals 1961–1990
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 9 February 2024}}</ref>
| source 2 = Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (humidity 1970–1998)<ref name="clima-t">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |format=pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="clima-tm">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |format=pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="lluvia">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_LLUVIA.pdf |format=pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Lluvia |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526131325/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_LLUVIA.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2012 }}</ref>
}}
[[File:Arco de la Federación Coro1.jpg|thumb|Arco de la Federación]]

== Politics and government ==

Because of its status as capital of the state, Coro is the urban center around which the political life of [[Falcón]] revolves. It serves as the political and administrative capital, where the offices of the state government, governor, Regional Council Legislature, courts, and seat of the [[Francisco de Miranda National Experimental University|Universidad Nacional Experimental Francisco de Miranda]] are located.

The municipal government is currently led by the [[PSUV]], which was founded by [[Hugo Chávez]]. This reflects Venezuela's broader politics, most governors and mayors also initially belonged to Chávez's [[Movimiento V República]]. However, in the [[2007 Venezuelan constitutional referendum|2007 referendum]], Chávez's party suffered its first defeat in eight years of successive electoral victories. In Coro, 57.08% of voters rejected the reform. However, in the subsequent state elections of 2008, the ruling party ([[PSUV]]) won the position for governor of Falcón state, but this candidate received less votes than the opposition party within Coro.

In the September 2010 elections, Coro, along with nearby municipalities, formed Circuit 3 of the state. The ruling socialist party, [[United Socialist Party of Venezuela|PSUV]], nominated retired general Melvin Lopez Hidalgo, while the democratic [[Democratic Unity Roundtable|MUD]] ran Gregorio Graterol, former candidate for governor of the state. With more than 52% of the vote, the opposition candidate Gregorio Graterol won the seat of the circuit assembly, representing the fourth consecutive defeat of [[Chavismo]] in the city (after the 2007 referendum, the 2008 regional elections, and the [[2009 Venezuelan constitutional referendum|referendum]]).

The community television channel, [[Coro TV]], covers local politics.<ref>{{cite book|chapter=Community Media as Everyday State Formation|title=Channeling the State: Community Media and Popular Politics in Venezuela|first=Naomi|last=Schiller|year=2018|isbn=9781478002529|publisher=[[Duke University Press]]}}</ref>

== Conservation and World Heritage Site ==
[[File:Iglesia de San Clemente 2.JPG|thumb|200px|Iglesia de San Clemente.]]
[[File:Cruz de San Clemente 2.JPG|thumb|200px|Cruz de San Clemente, cují carved under which Mass for the first time in South America.]]
[[File:Casa de las 100 ventanas.JPG|thumb|200px|Casa de las 100 ventanas (House of the 100 windows), current headquarters of the Cultural Institute of the State Falcón.]]
The city has inherited a monumental architecture of the colonial and republican times features typical of the [[Andalusia]]n architecture (southern Spain), with materials and techniques used by Native Americans based in the mud, like [[adobe]] and [[Wattle and daub|wattle]], which gives it a unique personality. Equally characteristic has a certain pattern that combines traditional Spanish checkerboard layout with an irregular shape typical of medieval [[Germany|German]] cities, product of the period in which the city was the seat of the domain of [[Welser]]. In the central town, some streets end abruptly, breaking the regularity of the Spanish checkerboard. Ambrosius Alfinger (German of the house of the Welsers and first Governor of the Province of Venezuela) restructures the layout of the streets based on the original layout of the founding of the city.

With its earthen constructions unique in the Caribbean, Coro is the surviving example of the rich fusion of indigenous traditions with the Spanish [[Mudéjar]] architectural techniques and irregular shape of German Welser architecture. It is one of the first colonial cities, was founded in 1527, and its colonial architecture prevails until today. Over 600 buildings have been appointed in Coro as heritage.

The historic centre remains characteristics typical of a city of the 18th and 19th centuries, with cobbled stone streets and colonial buildings. This is an important colonial city resort and the largest complex of colonial temples in Venezuela. It contains a variety of [[museum]]s with a broad representation of Catholic iconography or national historical value, so it is called "la ciudad museo". For these reasons it is declared, along with its nearby port of [[La Vela de Coro]], a [[World Heritage Site]] on December 9, 1993, by [[Unesco]] in meeting held in the [[Colombia]]n city of [[Cartagena de Indias]].

Since 2005 Coro has been officially listed as an "endangered" World Heritage Site (see [[List of World Heritage in Danger]]). Climate change in Venezuela, in particular heavy rains, have caused significant damage to its rich architecture. Coro's traditional buildings were built with techniques based on the use of earth (adobe, and earth reinforced with a plant structure in a technique called "bahareque"). Many of these buildings are vulnerable to heavy rains, as in its natural state earth is a material of low resistance to moisture.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/activities/21/ World Heritage Earthen Architecture Programme]</ref>

As well as the damage from rains between November 2004 and February 2005, the built environment had, according to UNESCO, been adversely affected by the construction of inappropriate walls and fences. There has also been concern about the construction of a new monument, beach walkways and a gateway to the city in the port of La Vela de Coro: these could have a considerable impact on the value of the site.<ref>[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/658/threats/ Coro and its Port], UNESCO</ref>

In 2018 it was noted that while information provided by the "State Party" (i.e. Venezuela) demonstrated satisfactory advances in the implementation of many corrective measures, further information and actions were needed to ensure that the key issues previously identified as affecting the property have been adequately addressed.<ref name="UNESCO2018">{{Cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/soc/3777 |title=Coro and its Port (Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of))}}</ref>

=== Monuments and tourist attractions ===

From its historic colonial architecture to its diverse landscapes, Coro provides various forms of tourist attraction. In the extreme northeast of the city are the Médanos de Coro National Park, large dunes that are the only desert in Venezuela. They are located along the road that runs between the colonial area of the city to the port of La Vela de Coro. The colonial town, a World Heritage Site, preserves a typical urban landscape of the 18th and 19th centuries, with its cobbled streets and hundreds of historic and traditional buildings. Some architectures reflects a [[Mudéjar]] style, while others reflect the cultural influence of the [[Netherlands]] through the colony of Curaçao. In the city there are interesting Catholic and secular buildings, that were the scene of numerous events of historic significance, since the early republican period. Probably the architectural influences of Coro are unique.

Among the buildings and places of interest highlights include:

;[[Cathedral of Coro]]

Since the creation of the [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Coro|Diocese of Coro]] by the papal bull of July 21, 1531, it directed the building of the Cathedral of St. Anne, one of the temples of Coro, and in 1567 the cathedral was sacked by the Corsair [[Francis Drake]]. The current structure dates from 1583 and was completed by the end of the 17th century, making it the oldest Catholic church in [[Tierra Firma]].

;Casa de las Ventanas de Hierro

Magnificent mansion built in the 17th century by '''Don José Francisco Garcés de la Colina'''. This is a house that has a portal that rises to more than {{convert|8|ft|m|spell=in}} high, and so named because of the large windows protected by a wrought iron structure that was imported from [[Andalusia]].
[[File:Iglesia de San Francisco, Coro.jpg|thumb|200px|Colonial Church of San Francisco and diocesan museum.]]

;Iglesia y Convento de San Francisco

This religious complex consists in a church with three naves and an annex building that was a Franciscan monastery, which now houses the '''Diocesan Museum "Lucas Guillermo Castillo "'''. It begins to build in the 16th century and was destroyed by [[pirate]]s in 1620. Its neo-Gothic tower is of more recent construction stands over 50 meters, which makes it the highest of all assets. In 1985 the Lucas Guillermo Castillo Museum managed to acquire a place called La Casa Manzano Campuzano or Casa de los Capriles next to the convent.

;Iglesia de San Clemente
It has its origins in a church commanded to be built by the founder of the city [[Juan de Ampíes]] in the 16th century. It is a cruciform building where each end pointing towards a central point. It is one of the few examples of colonial architecture in the form of a cross in Venezuela.
;Casa del Tesoro

Mansion built in 1770 by the Talavera family, and on this was born Bishop Mariano de Talavera, which famous corian that supported the cause of independence. The origin of its name is from the legend that in its land would be buried a treasure that has not yet been located.

'''Alberto Henríquez Museum of Art'''
[[File:Casa de Francisco Campuzano Polanco en Coro.jpg|thumb|198x198px|Alberto Henríquez Museum of Art]]
The house built was built in the first half of the XVIII century by the [[lieutenant governor]] of Coro Don [[Campuzano Polanco family#Francisco Campuzano Polanco (1689-1741)|Francisco Campuzano Polanco]] as his residence and bought on 1847 by Mr. David Abraham Senior, a [[sephardic]] trader from [[Curaçao]] who built there the [[Coro Synagogue]], one of the oldest [[synagogue]]s in [[Latin America]]. Currently, the synagogue is part of the [[Alberto Henríquez Museum of Art]], which belongs to [[Universidad Francisco de Miranda]].

; Balcón de los Arcaya

Great two-story building and topped with a wooden balcony on the second floor. It was built in the 18th century as residence to the Colina Peredo family and takes its name from the family that occupied it since the mid-19th century and which was donated to the nation. It houses the '''People Earthenware Museum'''.

; Balcón de Bolívar

[[File:Monumento a la Federación Venezolana I.jpg|thumb|200px|Monument to the Venezuelan Federation.]]Also known as '''Balcón de los Senior'''. It served as military headquarters of the patriot forces during the [[War of Independence of Venezuela|War of Independence]]. It is said that the Liberator [[Simón Bolívar]] stayed there on December 23, 1826, and from the balcony greeted the patriots who gathered outside to greet him. It houses the '''Coro Art Museum'''.
; Cruz de San Clemente
It is said that St. Clement's Cross marks the spot where the first mass officiate at [[South America]]. It is sheltered by a pavilion erected ordered the Marshal [[Juan Crisóstomo Falcón]] during his presidential tenure.
; Jewish cemetery of Coro
{{Main|Jewish cemetery of Coro}}
It is the oldest Jewish cemetery in South America.<ref>[http://www.nmidigital.com/secciones.php?id=3&top_id=6858&s=99 remodeled the Jewish cemetery in Coro] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808042917/http://www.nmidigital.com/secciones.php?id=3&top_id=6858&s=99 |date=2014-08-08 }}. Weekly "New World Jewish." Caracas, September 2009</ref> Its origin goes back to the 19th century when the [[Sephardi]]c Jewish colony of the Dutch island of Curaçao began migrating to the city in 1824. This cemetery is beginning to build in 1832 by '''Joseph Curiel''', who buy land in the vicinity of the town to bury his baby daughter Hana. On this are wonderful mausoleums that reflect the spirit of ancient times.
; Iglesia del Carrizal
In this sanctuary is the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe of Carrizal, which according to legend, was rescued in 1723, by Native Americans of the region, of the corian beaches when a vessel sank near the coast of the people. The Natives were shocked to see the perfection of its forms. [[File:La Casa del Sol, en la Calle Federación.jpg|200px|right|thumb|La Casa del Sol, en la Calle Federación]]
; Casa del Sol
It is one of Venezuela's oldest houses, its construction dates from the 17th century. Its name comes from the sun located above its door, symbolizing God.
; Iglesia San Nicolás de Bari
Which would be located outside the city for a long period. It is located west of the historic centre and was built in 1741, for a lady of the Spanish elite, which, according to a promise, she vowed to build a temple on behalf of Saint Nicholas of Bari.
; Arco de la Federación

It is the monument to Marshal [[Juan Crisóstomo Falcón]], a Corian leader during the [[Federal War]] and was also President of the Republic from 1863 to 1868.

; Church of San Gabriel
; House Gumersindo Torres
; Plaza Manaure
; Xerophytic Garden Dr. Leon Croizat

== Surrounding area ==
[[File:Adícora, Estado Falcón.JPG|thumb|[[Adícora]] town in the [[Paraguaná Peninsula]]]]
Traveling one hour north, the tourist will find world-famous beaches for windsurfing in the [[Paraguaná Peninsula]]. One hour south, "La Sierra de Coro" presents small towns with a more temperate climate and views of the city. On clear days, visitors will be able to see the ''médanos'' (dunes) and behind them the Paraguaná Peninsula with its Cerro Santa Ana. Driving west, tourists can also visit [[Urumaco]], an important fossil site. The [[Juan Crisóstomo Falcón en la Sierra de San Luis National Park|Sierra de San Luis National Park]] is {{convert|30|km|mi}} to the south, with a number of attractions including birdwatching and nature observation; Cerro Galicia, the highest hill in the district; the Hueque resurgence cave and associated waterfalls; the Acarite river cave; and the {{convert|305|m|ft}} deep [[Haitón del Guarataro]], the deepest limestone cave in Venezuela.<ref>{{cite book|last=Kohn|first=Beth|title=Lonely Planet Venezuela|year=2007|publisher=Lonely Planet|page=[https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741045451/page/154 154]|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781741045451|url-access=registration|quote=haiton del guarataro lonely planet.|access-date=28 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Curimagua|url=http://www.pueblosdevenezuela.com/Falcon/FA-Curimagua.htm|access-date=29 December 2013}}</ref>

== Economy ==

The economy in Coro is highly dependent on state government expenditure.   Retail commercial activity, civil construction, tourism and professional services are the principal activities of the city economy.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

== See also ==
* [[La Vela de Coro]]
* [[German colonisation of the Americas]]
* [[World Heritage Sites in Danger]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Coro}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040804045623/http://www.coroweb.com/index.html Coroweb]
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/658 UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Coro and its Port]

{{State capitals of Venezuela}}
{{World Heritage Sites in Venezuela}}
{{Spanish Colonial architecture}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Coro, Venezuela| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Falcón]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1527]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Danger]]
[[Category:1527 establishments in the Spanish Empire]]
[[Category:Former German colonies]]
[[Category:Tourist accommodations in Venezuela]]