Santa Elena de Uairén
Santa Elena de Uairén is a small Venezuelan city in the state of Bolívar near the border with Brazil and Guyana. It was founded by Lucas Fernández Peña in 1923. The city's name originates from his first daughter, Elena, and Uairén, the river that crosses the city.
Located in the middle of La Gran Sabana, Santa Elena is home to many travel agencies offering tours in Canaima National Park, flights over Angel Falls, and hiking tours to the famous Monte Roraima.
The town is notable for its influential presence of indigenous peoples; there is even a community called Manakrü populated entirely by indigenous people. The schools in this neighborhood use both Spanish and Pemon, an indigenous language.
Due to its proximity to the Brazilian state of Roraima, Santa Elena sees a busy exchange between the two countries of Brazilian consumer products from Brazil and Venezuelan oil and petrol. Other Brazilian cities that trade with Santa Elena de Uairen are Manaus, Santarém, Macapá, and Belém.
Santa Elena is relatively safe compared to other Venezuelan cities.
Languages
- Spanish
- Pemon - the language of almost all the indigenous people in the area is Pemón, a language of the Caribbean family related to the extinct Tamanaco and Chaimas.
- Portuguese - in Santa Elena de Uairén, it is also common to find that a percentage of the residents speak Portuguese, due to its proximity to Brazil. In 1999, a free zone was declared in the city and it is crowded with Brazilians during the weekends seeking low-priced food, electronics, and hygiene products.