MARACAY

city, capital of Aragua estado (state), northern Venezuela. In the central highlands at 1,500 feet (460 m) above sea level and 70 miles (110 km) southwest of Caracas, Maracay rose to fame when the dictator Juan Vicente Gmez determined to make the city the cultural and social centre of the nation. During his long reign (190835), Gmez initiated the construction of a number of projects, including a bullring (an exact replica of the Seville bullring), airports, and an opera house. In addition to being a commercial centre for the agricultural and pastoral hinterland, Maracay has become a major industrial centre and one of Venezuela's largest cities. Textiles, sugar, paper, rayon, rubber, foodstuffs, and cement are the principal manufactures. Maracay lies on the Pan-American Highway and has excellent transport facilities. Pop. (1990 est.) 538,616.