Caracas is the largest city and the capital of Venezuela. It is situated 3,000 feet above sea level, giving the city spring like temperatures. Caracas is close to the Caribbean Sea but is separated from the coast by the steep mountain range called Cerro Avila. Caracas is Venezuela's commercial, industrial and cultural hub with a population of over 2 million inhabitants as of 2001.
Caracas was founded in 1567 by Diego de Losada. When the city began cultivating cocoa, the city began to develop and in 1777 became the capital of Venezuela. Caracas' independence was inspired by the French Revolution and the American Wars of Independence and by July 5, 1811, Caracas signed a Declaration of Independence. Venezeula further developed its oil-rich country and steadily grew to become one of Latin America's economic centers.
Many tourists are attracted to Caracas each year. The city is a cultural center and is host to an International Theater Festival every year. The city also has an intricate transport system such as the El Metro de Caracas, an underground transportation system known to be the world's tidiest and most modern as well as the Metrobus. Most of the tourist attractions can be found in the immediate surroundings of Plaza Bolivar, the city center.