SAN CARLOS

city, capital of Cojedes estado (state), northwestern Venezuela. The city lies along the Tirgua River, at the base of the central highlands and near the Llanos (plains) region. Founded in 1678 by Capuchin missionaries, San Carlos served as capital of Falcn state prior to the separation of Cojedes and Portuguesa states. It is the commercial and marketing centre of an agricultural and pastoral region in which corn (maize), sugarcane, and rice are cultivated; cattle raising is also important. San Carlos is on the highway linking Acarigua, in Portuguesa state, 55 miles (90 km) to the west-southwest, and Valencia, capital of Carabobo state, 60 miles (95 km) to the northeast. Pop. (1990 est.) 56,730. city, west-central Luzon, Philippines. Founded in 1587 by Dominicans, it was named in 1718 for Saint Charles Borromeo. San Carlos was organized as a city in 1966. It is a pottery-making centre and also produces articles made from bamboo. Rice and corn (maize) are the major crops grown in the surrounding area. The city is situated along the Manila-North Railroad, 10 miles (16 km) southeast of Lingayen. Pop. (1990 est.) 118,377. city, south-central Nicaragua. It lies at the extreme southeastern corner of Lake Nicaragua near the Costa Rican border, where the San Juan River begins its journey to the Caribbean Sea. With its strategic location, San Carlos served as a fort to guard against pirate attacks during the colonial period. Although the city was severely damaged by fire in 1948, it is still a port and commercial centre of some note; lumbering and livestock raising is carried on in the vicinity. San Carlos is accessible by road from Los Chiles in Costa Rica. Pop. (1985 est.) 5,103. city, northeastern Negros island, Philippines. Set in an area of concentrated sugarcane production, it is the site of a large sugar mill established in 1912. Frequent ferry service across Tanon Strait from Toledo on the island of Cebu brings large numbers of migrant workers to the surrounding sugar plantations. The city has deepwater port facilities and also has an airport. Inc. city, 1960. Pop. (1990 est.) 98,190.