FALCN

estado (state), northwestern Venezuela. It is bounded on the north by the Caribbean Sea, west by the Gulf of Venezuela, northwest by Zulia state, and south by Lara and Yaracuy states; it includes the Paraguan Peninsula. Consisting primarily of coastal lowlands and northern Andean outliers, the territory of 9,575 square miles (24,800 sq km) is dry and agriculturally poor. Farming (corn , coconuts, and sesame) is restricted to river valleys and mountain terraces; goat raising is widespread, but the higher elevations have been denuded by overgrazing and deforestation. In contrast, the Pennsula de Paraguan and the area around the state capital, Coro (q.v.), have experienced rapid industrialization and growth, and huge oil refineries are situated on the southwestern shore of the peninsula. About two-thirds of Venezuela's total output is produced there and then exported by tanker. Northern Falcn, including the peninsula, is well served by highways. Pop. (1983 est.) 551,873.