Santiago de León de Caracas or simply Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela. It rises as part of a valley which mountains reach 2600 meters over sea level. The city was initially inhabited by the Toromaimo Indians until the Spanish colonization when it was funded as the capital of Venezuela in 1567. Currently Caracas has approximately 4 million inhabitants and is the most populated city in Venezuela.

Caracas is known in history to be cradle of the most illustrious men's in the America; as they are: Francisco de Miranda, precursor of the American Independence. Simón Bolívar, the biggest statesman in America, liberator of seven nations of South America, including Venezuela; and Andrés Bello, the first of the writers from America.
Caracas, a city of great diversity, offers visitors a wide range of scenery. The different areas of the city make it an exciting and interesting metropolis where tradition and modernism become one. The city has many contrasts such as beautiful and modern urbanizations, but it also has regions taken by people that come from the interior of the republic or of the exterior looking for to improve their level economic partner, constituting this way a belt of misery that you begins to see since you arrives at the airport of Maiquetía. Some housing are of block, others are small built slumps (ranchos) with sheets of zinc, charts and other materials discarded by the rest of the inhabitants. Caracas has an excellent transport system: there is an intricate network of roads that cross the city from east to west and north to south; an exceptional underground transportation system known as El Metro de Caracas, which is considered one of the World's tidiest and most modern, with many stations all over the city; and bus routes known as Metrobus, which connect the metro stations with some of the more remote neighborhoods.

Attractions:
The city is at the feet of the National Park El Avila, (Wuaraira Repano, in indigenous language) a mountain of 2600 meters which is part of the Central mountain range. The park has numerous trekking paths and at the top there are some attractions, including an ice-ring!!! The top can also be reached by a cable car, a fun ride where a spectacular view of Caracas can be enjoyed.
Parque del Este (Avenida Francisco de Miranda, Caracas) is a beautiful park with various floras and fauna, nine lakes, a cactus garden, aviary, planetarium and more, is a true oasis for anyone who wants to walk, jog, row a boat, picnic or visit its attractions.
Botanical Garden ( Jardin Botanico, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Caracas) which is part of the Central University ofVenezuela and counts with one f the biggest collections of flora in the country. Caracas is also a great cultural centre; it counts with numerous museums, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Sofia Imber, one of the most important in South America. Every year Caracas is the centre of the International Theater Festival, an event where several countries from the entire world participate. Most of the museums are located in the center of Caracas, such as the National Art Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts (“Bellas Artes”). For the lovers of Nature and Sciences we recommend visiting the Museum of Natural History.
Complejo Cultural Teresa Carreño, where the arts reach the utmost expression, through theater, dance, concerts and ballet performances among others. Finally for the little travelers we recommend the Children’s museum, an entertaining museum that combined education and fun.
Some of the must see of Caracas include historical sites, such as the natal home of Simon Bolivar, the father of independence of many South American countries. Other colonial well preserved building is the home of Guzman Blanco.
The Museum of Colonial Art in Caracas can be found in the Quinta Anauco, a great example of colonial arquitectural beauty and one of the most popular attractions of Caracas. The museum was founded in 1942 and even thou it lies in the city centre it retains the beauty and peace of a colonial home, with charming gardens, decorated columns, fountains and old stone trails, an spectacular ambient that takes you back to the finals of the 18th century.

Shopping and Commerce
Caracas is recognized for its excellent restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. It counts with big commercial centers and malls very modern and luxurious that makes shopping an interesting activity. The most popular items bought by tourist are gold jewelry and shoes.Chacao is the place to eat, to meet your friends and have a bee, but the zone of Las Mercedes is one of the safest places of the city to go for a walk and with plenty of restaurants.