Pre-Columbian era

In the pre-Hispanic era, the territory of the Venezuelan plains was inhabited by groups that arrived from the Amazon region by river (probably Colombia or Ecuador).

The oldest known human presence dates to between 300 and 600 BC in Barinas and the Portuguesa plains, with the migrants perhaps attracted by the region's relatively predictable flooding cycle.

Over the next 1200 years, these communities moved northwards and were also influenced by groups from the Orinoco. Among the traces left by these pre-Columbian inhabitants are numerous petroglyphs of geometric, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic figures, as well as a complex network of roads believed to have served to drain swamps or control water. They also left a system of mounds that possibly had functions of surveillance, funerary or refuge for the periods of greatest flooding.

Spanish colonization

Several expeditions of the Welser Family, originating in Coro under the command of Nikolaus Federmann and Georg von Spira, in the year 1534 and arriving in the Andean foothills crossed the current territory of the Llanos.

In 1542, the armies of Philipp von Hutten from Coro visited the region on their way to Barinas, but were repulsed by the Omaguas Indians and Hutten was wounded.

The Spanish conquerors Diego Ruiz de Vallejo and Juan Ruiz de Villegas explored the lands to the east of the Andes in 1549. Decades later, on November 3, 1591, Juan Fernandez de Leon founded Espiritu Santo of the Guanaguanare Valley, today's Guanare. Its name in the indigenous language means 'Place of seagulls' or 'Land between rivers'.

19th century

The Battle of Araure, in which Simon Bolivar defeated Jose Ceballos, occurred in Portuguesa in 1813. At the time, Venezuela was under the control of the patriots in mid-1813, except for the provinces of Guayana and Maracaibo. In September 1813, the royalists received reinforcements from Cadiz, taking the offensive across the country, although the patriots' successes continued until the end of 1813.

On December 3, 1813, Simón Bolívar learned that the Royalist forces (3,500 men), under the command of Brigadier José Ceballos, had met with those of José Yáñez in the town of Araure, and as a result, he arranged for all able bodied men in El Altar and Cojedes to muster in the town of Agua Blanca.

On the 4th, the Patriots marched towards Araure and camped about 1,000 m from the village, opposite the Royalists, who had deployed at the entrance of the Acarigua River with their wings supported by a forest and a small lagoon and their back protected by a forest. The Royalists possessed ten artillery pieces.

The battle began at dawn and lasted approximately six hours. The Royalist troops were numerically superior to the Patriot troops. The Patriots captured 200 prisoners, four flags, and numerous artillery pieces. In this single clash, the Royalists lost more than 500 cavalry.^[4]

On April 10, 1851, by decree of the Congress of the Republic under the mandate of General José Gregorio Monagas, the territory that currently makes up the state of Portuguesa became a province, with Guanare as its capital.

Federal War

The federal war was even more devastating than the emancipatory war in the states of Portuguesa, Apure and Barinas, and especially in Portuguesa, as in addition to the outrages and loss of life in the fighting, the departures of uncontrolled guerrillas, the passions and quarrels produced more deaths and misfortunes than the combats; furthermore, the arson attacks on houses, farms and cattle yards plunged many families of the time into ruin.

In the days of this uncontrolled movement and in the vicinity of Araure, specifically in Tapa de Piedra, on April 4, 1859, a bloody combat was staged between the revolutionary forces of General Zamora and those of the conservative Manuel Herrera. After almost three hours of confrontation, Herrera lost the fight and had to flee with the survivors on the way to Ospino. Following the Federal Revolution in 1866, it was decided to unite the Zamora and Portuguesa entities into one and call it Zamora State. Later, with Antonio Guzmán Blanco in power, the territorial division was reduced to seven states, so Portuguesa became part of the South West state, along with Cojedes and Zamora.

San Francisco Convent in 1920

20th century

At the end of the 19th century, the Restoration Revolution brought back the country's political division into 20 states and, consequently, Portuguesa and Cojedes became Zamora again. Finally, on August 5, 1909, the National Constitution was promulgated, which established that Venezuela would be composed of a Federal District, two Federal Territories and 20 states, one of which would be Portuguesa with the capital in the city of Guanare.

Like most of the Llanos states, Portuguesa was practically isolated from the center of the country until the middle of the 20th century. The only way to move from this entity to another was by means of carts pulled by horses or oxen, or by using the waterways. After the overthrow of General Isaías Medina Angarita, the Revolutionary Government Board began to materialize the existing projects designed by the previous rulers on sustainable agricultural development based on the colonization of large areas. It was in the 1940s, when work began on the Los Llanos road, which meant the economic take-off of the region. The foundation of the Turén Agricultural Colony through the work of 20,000 immigrant refugees, mostly Italian, drove the rice plan, and the incorporation of hundreds of hectares of irrigated land were key to the development and growth of this state known as the granary of Venezuela.

Guanare River

Within this reality, a developmentalist model was adopted with evident influence from the United States. This model made possible the establishment of social relations of production in the agricultural sector based on capitalism. In this vein, at the end of the 1940s and beginning of the 1950s, a "State Project" was initiated called the Turen Agricultural Unit (U.A.T.), which was successively implemented in the Turen Agricultural Colony. To this end, the government, through itinerant diplomacy, made use of the international agreements signed during the post-war period on aid to refugees and put into practice the open border policy of selective immigration promoted by General Marcos Pérez Jiménez, where Europeans (mostly Italians, Spaniards and Germans) with an agricultural tradition entered and shared work with Venezuelan citizens from various regions of the Republic. In 1949, the Agricultural Unit or Colony of Turen, the most ambitious experience of its kind ever carried out in a Caribbean country, was initiated. Located, as well as the Tovar colony, in an area of mountains, the future Granary of Venezuela sheltered, together with a minority of local farmers, a babel of immigrants from several countries. Initially, they were mainly Eastern Europeans, who arrived through the "International Refugee Organization", many of them ethnic Germans from Romania, but already in the beginning of the 50's the Italians and Germans became the relative majority of the immigrant population.

Hydrography

Some water courses include: Portuguese Red, Caño Guamal, and Caño Amarillo, which corresponds to the old riverbed of the Acarigua River that is fed by the above-mentioned channel during the summer season; in addition to Caño Turen, Caño El Toro, Caño Durigua, Caño Colorado, Caño Canaguapa, Caño Maratán, Quebrada Paso Real, Quebrada Cupra, Quebrada Cambural, and Quebrada de Araure.

The Acarigua River passes through the west of the Acarigua municipality and serves as a border with the Esteller Municipality.

Climate

It has a relatively homogeneous climate, where the average minimum temperature varies between 20º and 35 °C., being this one regulated by the winds coming from the gulf of Venezuela and the trade winds that go up the Llanos, which produce areas of cloudiness and frequent torrential rains. A typical Sabana climate of the plain area of Venezuela where Guanare is located. It has two well-defined periods, a dry period from December to April, and a rainy period from May to November.

Chorro San Juan de la Montaña

During the beginning of the drought (December, January and February) it is characterized by the scarcity of rain, and a great thermal amplitude, where the nights are usually cool, early mornings with up to 19 °C, and during the day very hot (max 29-31 °C). This is also the windiest time of the year. Around March and the beginning of April, the daily temperature range decreases a little, bringing with it the hottest season in the village. The lowest temperature recorded is 17 °C on 5 April 1984 and the highest is 41 °C during several occasions and heat waves occurring with the El Niño phenomenon.

The average annual temperature (Max-Min) is between 22 °C and 26 °C, in the area of flat lands and in the area of mountain and piedmont landscapes the climatic conditions vary according to height variations. Precipitation is persistent throughout the year, causing rivers to maintain an abundant flow, even overflow and therefore flooding.

Flora and fauna

The dominant vegetation is savanna, but are also gallery forests along the river bends, and dense forests in the foothills of the Andes. There are abundant hardwoods which are a major income source, represented by the dwarf oak, mahogany, eucalyptus, teak and pine. The fauna is represented by: spectacled bears, jaguars, (both endangered species), armadillos, parrots, opossums, howler monkeys, deer, ocelots, pumas and southern tamandua. There are birds like the crested curassow, hummingbird, great kiskadee and cardinal. One of the largest species of moth in the world can be found: the Thysania agrippina, with wingspan of 30.5 cm.

Girasoles en el Municipio Turen

In some places of the state, wildlife can be distributed as follows:

• Mammals: rabipelado (common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis); wooly weasel (bare-tailed woolly opossum, Caluromys philander); common marmosa (Robinson's mouse opossum, Marmosa robinsoni); babanero rabbit (eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus); and agoutis or mountain acures (Brazilian guinea pig, Cavia aperea)
• Birds: ponchas or soisolas (red-legged tinamou, Crypturellus erythropus); whistling ducks (Dendrocygna spp.); diving duck (lesser scaup, Aythya affinis); paují culo blanco (black curassow, Crax alector); and common parrot (Amazonia spp.)
• Reptiles: galápago llanero (savanna side-necked turtle, Podocnemis vogli); terecay (yellow-spotted river turtle, Podocnemis unifilis); and iguana (Iguana iguana)
• Crustaceans: elf shrimp (Dendrocephalus geayi); crab (Dilocarcinus dentatus); and shrimp (Macrobrachium amazonicum, Macrobrachium jelskii, Macrobrachium reyesi, Palaemonetes mercedae).
• Molluscs: river clams (Anodontites gunarensis and Mycetopoda pittieri); aquatic snails (Aplexa rivalis and Thiara granifera); pomaceas, corobas and guaruras (snails, Pomacea aurostoma, Pomacea crassa, Pomacea dolioides, Pomacea falconensis, Pomacea interrupta, Pomacea glauca, Pomacea glauca, Pomacea glauca, Pomacea interrupta, Pomacea glauca, Pomacea glauca, Pomacea interrupta, Pomacea glauca, Pomacea interrupta)

Executive Power

It is exercised by the Governor of the Portuguese State, the Secretary General of the Government and the Secretaries of State who fulfil the powers determined by the Constitution of the State and the Republic.

Since 1989, governors have been selected in direct elections by the population. The first governor to be elected under direct elections was Elias D'Onghia, of the AD party, and he won with 38.40% of the votes. The current governor is Rafael Calles, of the PSUV party, who won the elections for the period 2017- 2021

Legislature

It is exercised by the Legislative Council of the Portuguese State, a unicameral regional parliament elected every four years, which, according to the State Constitution, has 11 legislators who sanction the laws that have state rank and whose members are elected in a universal, direct and secret manner.

Race and ethnicity

According to the 2011 Census, the racial composition of the population was:^[3]

Natural heritage

• Chorro de San Miguel

Guanare Landscape, Portuguese State

• Balneário Quebrada de Araure, This is a ravine of clear and clean waters, located on the road Araure-Acarigua, where tourists can enjoy a pleasant time. It also has a recreational park used by many local families.
• Balneario Sagas River, located on the Biscucuy - Chabasquén road
• Balneario Acarigua River Natural, and Fishing Site, (in Winter Time)
• Sabanetica Spa.
• Balneario Estación (Ospino Municipality)
• Balneario Quebrada de Leña
• Balneario El Mamón
• Balneario Los Arroyos
• Balnearies Quebrada de Araure, known as "El Dique".
• Balneario Cupra (Municipality of Paez)
• Balneario Quebrada de Williams Rumbos, known as "La Loba".

Los frailes, Ospino

Parks

• Dinira National Park
• Samanes Park, was built in 1983. Tradition has it that under the leafy samans that currently make up the park, the army of the Liberator Simón Bolívar camped out during the Admirable Campaign of 1813.
• José Antonio Páez Park, southwest of Guanare, is this fair complex that has 13.8 developed hectares. The 5% of the land has facilities such as the Exhibition Pavilion, the Convention Center and the Museum of the Plains. It was inaugurated in 1993 and is considered the vegetable lung of the municipality of Guanare.
• Mittar Nakicenovic Park
• Musiu Carmelo Park, located next to the Acarigua Araure Passenger Terminal
• Curpa Park, popularly known as José Antonio Páez Park, a place where there are many leafy trees and a river that borders the east of the city of Acarigua, is also a huge natural lung and a must for all locals.
• Musiu Carmelo Park (future Acarigua Zoo)
• Park "Mano" Nerio Duin Anzola Zoo.
• Raul Leoni Park.
• Acarigua Recreational Park I.
• Las Majaguas Recreational Park
• Algarrobo Park, headquarters of Indera (Municipality of Paez)
• Los Samanes de Guanare Park

Mountainous landscape in the municipality of Sucre, Portuguesa

Built heritage

• Sanctuary of Our Lady of Coromoto
• Los Llanos Museum in Guanare
• Our Lady of the Pillar Church
• Our Lady of the Bark Cathedral
• Inés Mercedes Gómez Álvarez de Guanare Museum
• Doll Museum
• Former Guanare prison
• Monument The Tumulus
• José Antonio Páez Museum
• Casa de la Cultura "Guillermo Gamarra Marrero"
• Argimiro Gabaldon Convention Center
• Old San Francisco Convent in Guanare

Holidays and traditions

Our lady of Coromoto

The llaneras traditions are closely related to each other, among them we can mention: The Tourist Carnivals of the Páez Municipality with their fabulous floats and presentation of regional, national and international artists, Christmas in Acarigua turns out to be of great attraction with the decoration of the monument La Espiga, in which it is bordered with Christmas lights in the form of the Flag of Venezuela and the "Samán" tree located next to it is wrapped with Christmas lights for the enjoyment of outsiders and visitors, on the other hand there is the celebration of the city's birthday every September 29 and its «Tree Lighting», as well as «El Pesebre» and «La Cruz de Mayo», the toilets in the squares, the «Dance of the Holy Innocents» every December 28 . In the same way it is celebrated on June 13, the day of San Antonio, at the home of the Goyo Ramírez family in Barrio Ajuro, together with the Civic Parade in honor of the Birth of José Antonio Páez Herrera, «Horseback Riding», «Afternoons of Coleados Bulls »,« Llaneros Sunrises », among others. The Joropo Llanero, is the dance that accompanies the typical Portuguese music. To the rhythm of the Harp, the Four and the Maracas, the couples zapatean, while they make synchronized turns that symbolize the subtle flirtation of the woman and the gallantness and chivalry of the man, together with the challenging spirit of the Venezuelan Llanero.

Among the traditional games are the rounds of the "Game of the Blind Little Chicken", "The Cat and the Mouse", "The Rooster and the Chicken", "The Rice with Milk", "The Tombola", "The Wheelbarrow", «El Escondite», «El Fusilado», «La Zaranda», «Palito Mantequillero». And the Hand Games like the "Spins", "Metras" (Marbles), "Whirligig", "Gurrufios", "Parrots", "The Old One", "The Plane", "Creole Balls" among many others.

In Pirit, with national and international projection, the sending of orchids stands out. This was a tradition initiated by Humberto Gallegos - Chronicler who died of Pituation - who along with his family sent a bouquet of orchids that are sent to Zaragoza-Spain on behalf of the Portuguese state. The orchid bouquet is made with orchid flowers of different varieties and colors from different regions of the country, which are artistically prepared and intertwined with ribbons of the three that form the flag of Venezuela. This religious event was held every October 10 since 1971 starting with the branches that are exhibited on the main street of the town from the first hours of the day and then be taken in parade to the San Rafael Arcángel de Pitu church, where they receive the father's status . In this ceremony the parishioners of different colonies participate as; Italian, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish, among others, who carry their own orchids to be sent to the Virgen del Pilar de Zaragoza in Spain.

• Tourist carnivals. They begin in 1977. Pioneers in the Portuguese State. Colorful and cheerful parades parade through the main streets and avenues. Pirit acquires the nickname "Capital of Joy" due to the joy and cordiality of its people in the celebration of events, especially in the Tourist Carnivals and Patron Saint Festivities.
• Easter week. Religious activity that brings together a number of parishioners at masses and processions on Thursday and Good Friday.

The night of remembrance. Adults participate highlighting the music of yesteryear. It takes place on Ash Wednesday, at night in race 10 between streets 9 and 10, although this tradition was born in 1972 at the Caney de Florentino and the devil.

Velorio de la Cruz de Mayo, Portuguesa State

• The retro night. Melodies from the 1960s - 70s and 80s. Presentation of musical ensembles. It begins in 2008 at the age of 25 the night of remembrance on Fridays before the eighth carnival.
• Patron Festivities of Piritu. Celebrated in honor of San Rafael Arcángel every October 24. Procession of the Saint, Burning of Arbolito of fireworks, bulls, sports and recreational activities, exhibitions, cultural events, presentation of orchestras, ensembles and artists among others.

Coromotan orchids Bouquet of orchids that in the name of the Virgen del Coromoto is sent to Zaragoza - Spain. The ceremony is held every October 10 since 1971 in race 8 and the San Rafael Arcángel Church. It is received on October 12 in Zaragoza Hispanic and Discovery Day of America.