PETARE

city, northwestern Miranda estado ("state"), in the central highlands of northern Venezuela. Formerly a commercial centre in a fertile agricultural area producing coffee, cacao, and sugarcane, the city has become a residential suburb of the national capital and a part of the Caracas metropolitan area. Cardboard is manufactured in the city. Expressways lead from Petare to downtown Caracas, approximately 10 miles (16 km) to the west-northwest. Pop. (1990 est.) 531,926.