Puerto La Cruz () is a port city located in Anzoátegui State, in Venezuela. It is the seat of the Juan Antonio Sotillo Municipality. The city has road connections to the state capital, Barcelona, to Lecheria and to Guanta.
Geography
The city of Puerto La Cruz is located on the southern shore of the Caribbean. The elevation of the city varies between . The city position is at Latitude 10° 13' N and Longitude 64° 37' W. Typical temperatures vary between . Borders are represented by Mochima National Park, the North Eastern region, and the Coastal Mountains.
History
The history of this settlement began with the arrival of the Spanish to the northern coast of what would eventually become Venezuela.
In 1780, the Christian Mission of Pozuelos () was founded by indigenous natives.
On 9 April 1862, a group of 26 families from Margarita Island decided to settle in Pozuelos Bay. As time progressed, this settlement adopted the Virgen del Amparo () and the Holy Cross () as their religious symbols, celebrating their patron saint on 8 November () and iconography on 3 May ().
By 1868 the first church was built, and slowly the name of the town was changed to Puerto de la Santa Cruz (), later shortened to Puerto La Cruz.
Economy
Puerto La Cruz is home to Puerto La Cruz refinery, one of the largest oil refineries in the country, which, with its per day processing capacity, supplies the domestic market and exports to other Caribbean countries such as Cuba and the Antilles. Also, at , the José Plant Complex is one of the primary processing facilities of the largest Venezuelan oil company, PDVSA and is a major refining hub for the crude extracted in the states of Monagas and Anzoátegui.
Puerto La Cruz is the terminus of the Carapito-Puerto la Cruz oil pipeline, the San Joaquin-Puerto la Cruz oil pipeline and the Anaco-Puerto la Cruz gas pipeline.
The city is the gateway to a large national park. The beaches of Mochima National Park surround the city. Places such as Isla de Plata, Playa Conoma, Isla Arapo and Playa Arapito are known for their beauty.
To the west of the city is the terminal of one of the main ferry lines linking Isla Margarita with the mainland, while to the east is a private marina that caters for tourists and visitors. Day trips are available to visit national park islands such as Playa El Faro, Los Chimanas, Cachicamo and Isla Borracha.
In addition to tourism, the major international banks have established their regional headquarters in the city. A large number of commercial businesses, and large shopping centers are progressively being developed.
Transportation
Large avenues cross the city, from north to south, and from east to west. Among them are:
Av. Municipal, which is the main avenue of the city, with two main traffic lanes and 2 service lanes in each direction, and was the first to be paved. Av. 5 Julio is the most popular avenue for trade; most shops are owned by immigrants of Arab descent. Av. Paseo Colon; almost all of this avenue borders the Bay of Pozuelos, which is one of the largest bays in the world. It has a boulevard where the symbol of the city of Puerto La Cruz (the Holy Cross) is situated. In addition here are established known hotels. Av. Bolivar, with a number of shops devoted to the sale of automotive spare parts, as well as car dealers. Paseo with Connects Miranda Av. Intercommunal Jorge Rodriguez (formerly Avenida Andres Bello), this avenue helps greatly to land transport. Prolongation Paseo Colon, is a branch of Av. Paseo Colon, starts from the sector Espigón, in front of the Razil Hotel, passes through the Sector El Paraiso, and onwards the Ave. Americo Vespusio to Lechería.
Puerto La Cruz has several ports from which many destinations, attractions, and shopping facilities can be reached. Margarita Island can be reached by the transport service operated by Conferry and Gran Cacique Express (which resumed its activities in December 2006). The beaches located on the islands of Mochima National Park may also be reached from Lechería.
In Guaraguao, Puerto La Cruz, there is also a terminal for the export/import of the crude oil processed at the city's refinery.
Puerto La Cruz does not have its own airport and uses Generál José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport, in the nearby city of Barcelona.