Municipality of La Cañada de Urdaneta

La Cañada de Urdaneta is a Venezuelan municipality located in the state of Zulia, on the west coast of Lake Maracaibo, it is part of the Maracaibo metropolitan area. It has an approximate area of 2,040 km². It has a population for 2016 of 107,463 inhabitants. The capital of the municipality is Concepción.

History

The name of La Cañada de Urdaneta originates in the year 1742, when Francisco Miguel Collado, lieutenant colonel of the royals and governor of the province of Maracaibo, ordered the construction of a road that, starting from the current jurisdiction of The city of Maracaibo will go south, towards savannahs and mountains, for the raising of cattle and goats. According to the Dictionary of the Spanish Language, "cañada" is a road to move livestock that is no less than ninety yards wide.

In addition, in previous times and since 1535 the shores of the lake were already known. For this, a historical summary of the Municipality is shown.

• 1535 The date on which Father Vicente de Requejada was recreated with the landscape of the reeding coasts on his journey to the south of the Lake.
• 1717 Foundation of a village in the mouth of the river Palmar with the name of Our Lady of the Conception of the Orange.
• 1720 Destruction of the village by the Aborigines.
• 1736 Julian de Esquivel and Juan de Maríaca founded the river above, between the Villa del Rosario and the coast, a town known by the name of Our Lady of Conception.
• 1752 Destruction of the people by the Native Carib, Bari, Arawakos and Moths.
• 1752 The Capuchin parents of the Maracaibo mission, relevant to the congregations of Navarre and Cantabria, authors of the foundation of the first town in 1717, founded on 8 December a town on the shores of the Lake that would bear by name Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, also known as a party here inside or party of La Cañada (This is accepted as the official date of the foundation of the municipality).
• 1784 On 27 September the ecclesiastical parish of the Immaculate Conception, second in the province of Maracaibo, is erected with the acquiescence of Bishop Juan Ramos Lora.
• 1833 Arrival of the French-German mission and established on the coasts of the Ensenada.
• 1854 Civil parishes are founded: Carmelo, Concepción and Chiquinquirá.
• 1872 On December 28, the foundation of the district with the name of Bolivar.
• 1882 On March 30 he changed the name of Bolivar district to Urdaneta district.
• 1985 On December 23, he was endorsed by the governor of Zulia with five parishes: Potreritos, El Carmelo, Andrés Bello, Chiquinquirá and Concepción.
• 1989 On 27 June, the reeds saw with pride the decision of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Zulia to elevate it to the category of "municipality" with the name of La Cañada de Urdaneta.
• On September 7, 2015 Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro partially declared a state of emergency in the state of the border of Zulia, due to the diplomatic crisis with Colombia, originated by the events that occurred in the state of Táchira on August 21, 2015. By that date, three municipalities were affected by the presidential action. On the 15th of the same month the closure of the border and the application of the state of emergency extends to seven other municipalities of the zuliana entity, being this municipal entity one of the municipalities affected by the executive measure.

Geography

The municipality of La Cañada de Urdaneta belongs to the western region of the Zulia state. Its capital is the city of Concepción (The Blue City), also capital of the Parish of the same name, one of the five that constitute this municipality. The other four are: Chiquinquirá Parish, El Carmelo Parish, Andrés Bello Parish and Potreritos Parish.

Its geographical limits are the following: To the North: The municipalities Jesús Enrique Lossada and San Francisco. To the South: Rosario de Perijá Municipality. To the East: Lake Maracaibo. To the West: Rosario de Perijá Municipality.

It has a territorial area of two thousand forty square kilometers (2,040 km²). The relief is predominantly flat, formed by the deposition of the Lake, in what is called the Maracaibo plain. The Municipality is at an altitude of 10 meters above sea level (10 meters above sea level).

For 2011, the municipality has a population projection of close to 100 thousand inhabitants, with an equitable proportion in their generic distribution. The Municipality is the destination of a large number of Colombian residents, who have left their country due to violence. It is estimated that around 20 thousand Colombians displaced from their country live in La Cañada de Urdaneta. Of the total population, it is estimated that 52% reside in the capital city, which is the area with the greatest commercial and industrial activity.

Parishes

1. Concepción
2. Andrés Bello
3. Chiquinquirá
4. The Carmelo
5. Potreritos search

Fauna

The animal species of the municipality are mainly identified by the iguana: the characteristic and emblematic animal of the Cañadero.

Since its foundation, different species have been raised: goats, goats, sheep, pigs, cows, horses, donkeys, mules, chickens, chickens, ducks, among others,

A variety of wild animals can be found, such as the rabbit, the partridge, the turcutúa, the yaguaza, the redfish, the báquiro, the cachicamo, the rabipelao, the ocelot, the icotea, the crow, the pouter, the heron, the hawk, the parrot, malerros, toads, banana frogs.

Fish and crustaceans: shrimp, armadillo, bocachico, palometa, crab, manamana, mullet, pompano, among other species.

Flora

The Cañada de Urdaneta is made up of thorny species such as: Cujíes, Dividives, Cardonales, among others.

Vegetation typical of an area with little rainfall. There are several tree species used to obtain wood and that are typical of these lands, such as: Curarire (Araguaney, national tree), Vera, among others.

In the southern area, mangroves are located, typical of bordering areas, between Lake Maracaibo and flooded areas or areas with poor natural drainage.

In addition to these very dry tropical forest species, there are other cultivated ones: Coconut trees, Fruit trees and introduced Grasses such as: Buffel, Guinea, Alemán, among others.

Among the flowers are: orchids, and wild bell-shaped flowers of little commercial value,

Soils and hydrography

Soils: It has soils with good characteristics; Deep, medium texture, with good drainage. In summary, soils suitable for agricultural activities in the municipality.

Its geology presents conditions of the Cenozoic and Quaternary eras, being a completely flat land, located in the flat foothills of the Sierra de Perijá.

Hydrography: The Municipality is located within the tributary system of the basin of Lake Maracaibo, with the passage of the Palmar River in the southern part and other small streams that only flow in winter, arid conditions predominating in much of the area. municipality.

Culture

Architecture

In the municipality there are architectural trends that were brought to Venezuela in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, these manifestations are reflected in some buildings, such is the case of the Immaculate Conception Church, whose floor plan is basilica-style, with three naves separated by 16 columns, eight on each side, on which a concrete beam rests, which supports the high walls and the roof of the central nave. At the head of the central nave is the Presbytery, on a higher level than the nave, with its altarpiece of 14 paintings, made by the master Audio Urdaneta, and the image of the Immaculate Conception, dating from the 19th century, with the main headquarters and the artistic ambo, both made of marble. The Ambon is made of Carrara marble and was previously the baptismal font of the temple. (Text in continuation process, under the responsibility of the Immaculate Conception Parish)

The roof is of colonial descent, characterized by having a pair and knuckle frame including Mudejar lacework.

Within our municipality there are also great architectural examples, among which the present colonial house stands out, these have windows with bars overhanging a shelf and finished with dust removers. The bars are commonly made of simple or turned wooden bars. The window sashes have shutters and are protected by blinds and lattices.

The roof is made of pairs and knuckles and braces made of carved or rustic wood. At the top of the façade the eaves stand out as an extension of the tile roofs.

The houses are of great heights. They have a use of strong colors, maintained to this day, the height of the ceilings is due to the fact that this way allows the circulation of hot air and thus achieves conductivity within the home.

There is also an architectural model within the Municipality with a simple appearance, which was copied by its inhabitants, once known it was applied and revealed as an expansion and remodeling in social housing and that with the passage of time time has become very popular in the area

Gastronomy

The Gastronomy of the Municipality of La Cañada de Urdaneta is particularly influenced by the indigenous and Spanish origins (Canary, Basque and Andalusian), little influence was received from the black race in the culinary ways and customs, due to the fact that by the time of the conquest Spanish, the license to introduce African slaves to Don Juan de Chourio, founder of Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Perija, was revoked in 1722; It is, due to this geographical particularity, one of the most outstanding features of this Zulia municipality.

As other dishes consumed in the region we can mention, first of all, the dish originating from La Cañada, corn rice, tripe, rabbit in coconut, fish fifi, rice with pork leg, tongue in sauce, chicken scramble with bread, beef sancocho, macaronada, roast beef, roast pork, goat in coconut, chorizas, noodles in coconut, pork or fish buns, empanadas, arepas, among others.

Similarly, we find recipes made based on the meat of hunted animals such as machicolation in coconut, babilla mojito, yaguaza in coconut, rice with popcorn, rabbit in coconut, roast tiger, deer in coconut, limpet in coconut. Indeed, one of the typical dishes of this area is iguana in coconut, which combines the meat of the reptile with the usual Zulian custom of stewing in coconut.

As for the desserts, we have the Canadian cuisine, which is distinguished by its originality and exquisiteness, where we can find pumpkin candy, lemon juice with milk, chimbo egg, chocho'e vaca, paledonias or paledoñas, majarete, mote, egg cookies, preserves or pastries made from milk or coconut, rice pudding, coconut kisses, lechesa candy with pineapple, hicaco candy, among others.

Festivities

The Blue Fair in tribute to the Patroness of the municipality La Inmaculada Concepción held every December in the Concepción parish, La Plaza sector; beginning with the lowering of the image followed by a majestic parade of floats and troupes, bagpiper dawn on December 8, among other artistic, cultural, social and sporting activities.

In the La Ensenada parish, the Festival in honor of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá is celebrated during the month of November. Likewise, the Festivities in honor of Our Lady of Carmen are celebrated every July in the El Carmelo parish and in the month of August in the Potreritos parish.

It is important to highlight the celebrations that take place in different sectors of the municipality in honor of San Benito de Palermo by the so-called "vassallos of San Benito", with drumming performed by different groups of Chimbangueles, at the end of December and beginning of January, although this type of celebration is not restrictive of this period of time.

Likewise, the birth of General in Chief Rafael Urdaneta is celebrated on October 24 in El Carmelo, generally with a Eucharist and solemn ceremonies in "Hato Viejo".

Economy

Agriculture: It has a great performance in agricultural work, since in the rural area there is a large production of crops, such as: Guava, cassava, tomato, onion, potato, paprika, banana, chili peppers, cilantro, melon, among other.

Livestock: It produces a large quantity of cattle, sheep and pigs, and currently poultry farming has been greatly strengthened; Concerning dairy production, a large part of it is processed to make cheeses, for national consumption. The seba cattle are taken to the Eastern Coast of the Lake for slaughter.

Fishing: It is a very important activity for the Municipality, with fishing for unusual species such as shrimp. And there is also fishing for mullet, palometas, bocachicos, among others.

Secondary Sector: It has a large number of industries such as: ChevronTexaco, Petrolago [1][2], Apromar, Coninca, Bajo Grande, which is a fractionation plant located on the border with the San Francisco municipality.

Tertiary Sector: Commerce and Services.

Commerce: The commercial activity of the municipality is currently developing with the aim of investors who have seen the municipality as a source of economic progress, promoting small shopping centers that strengthen the municipal economy.

Services: It has numerous health centers, although rural, sparse, natural gas, sewage, mobile and residential telephony, roads, tourism, among others.

Science and Technology: The headquarters of the Zuliano Institute for Technological Research (https://web.archive.org/web/20180123094445/http://www.inzit.gob.ve/), is located in this municipality, in the vicinity of the Bajo Grande Plant. INZIT, an organization dependent on the Ministry of Popular Power of Science, Technology and Intermediate Industries, carries out basic and advanced research in Nanomaterials, Alternative Energies, Environmental Quality, Food and Petroleum Technology.

However, due to the expropriations carried out by President Hugo Chávez Frías, numerous companies have participated in that decision, under the cause of use for public or social utility.

Symbols

Coat of the municipality

Creation Date: January 1990.

Date of Approval: June 10, 1990.

Author: Lcdo. Nectario Boscán.

Description:

Formed by a barracks where important characteristics of our riches can be seen:

A radiant sun, reflected in the Lake, symbolizing the warm and tropical climate of this land.

The coconut groves, an expression of the landscape that delights the sugar cane grower and the visitor.

Herbaceous vegetation, which symbolizes the nature that has allowed the cultivation of the field and agricultural exploitation.

The Lake, the main hydrographic source of the municipality, which is also an element of integration with other towns.

The fish, cattle and oil tower represent the riches that form part of the fundamental basis of the economy and development of the municipality.

Prickly pears and cardones are the characteristic vegetation of arid land, and represent the perennial symbol of the native strength to adapt to the habitat.

Three historical dates are also displayed at the bottom: December 8, 1752, third and definitive foundation of the municipality; December 28, 1872, foundation of the district, called the Bolívar District; and March 30, 1882, it was renamed the Bolívar District to the Urdaneta District.

And at the top: June 27, 1989, they give us the name of La Cañada de Urdaneta Municipality.

Flag of the municipality

The Municipal Flag was designed by Engineer Douglas Villasmil and T. S. U. Alejandro Perea, with a creation date of October 30, 1997 and made official as such on April 19, 1998, after a public contest, however, It is not very popular among the population since it is not used beyond official local, regional and national institutions.

The design of the flag is made up of three vertical stripes and above these (in the center-left part) a radiant sun, symbolizing the warm and tropical climate of this land, it manifests important characteristics of our geography, economy, Flora and fauna. The gray stripe (thirty centimeters wide by fifteen centimeters long) represents the strength and tenacity of the hard-working, fighting, vigorous and brave people who drive the development of the municipality; The White stripe (thirty centimeters wide by three long) represents the spiritual greatness of the Cañadero expressed in its Christian faith and devotion to its patron saint, the Virgin Mary, as well as the generosity, solidarity and brotherhood of the Cañadero; and finally, the sapphire blue stripe (30cm wide by thirty long) represents intellectuals, professionals, artists, students, politicians, soldiers, athletes, among others who have been part of local, regional, national history. (and in some cases internationally) exalting at all times the name of the La Cañada de Urdaneta Municipality with honesty and pride in its land.

Politics and government

Mayors

Municipal Council

Period 1989 - 1992

Period 1992 - 1995

Period 1995 - 2000

Period 2013 - 2018:

Period 2018 - 2021

Period 2021 - 2025

Insecurity situation

Currently the municipality is experiencing numerous deaths, mostly caused by weapons, because the flow of "mafias" who lead in the sectors of La Cañada. Many attempts have been made to put an end to this reality: uniting the police, specialized attention from the National Armed Forces, however, they have not been enough.

Day by day it can be seen how a large number of people, mostly young people, are victims of the underworld. These realities have caused an exodus, a fear in the inhabitants of the municipality.