Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela and lies in the narrow valley of the River Guaire in the north of the country, just inland from the Caribbean Sea, at about 750-900 m (2500-3000feet) above sealevel. It was founded in 1567 by Spanish settlers who were looking for gold. Although many districts were badly damaged by an earthquake in 1812, which the Spanish claimed was divine retribution for the natives rebelling against their rule, there are several areas with old colonial buildings.
The historic centre of the city is called Libertador, after Simon Bolivar, the Liberator, who led much of northern South America to revolt against European rule in the early nineteenth century. The central plaza is also named after him.