Miranda

Estado Miranda
State flag State Coat of Arms
Miranda State Anthem
Motto: none
Location within Venezuela
Created (given current status)	1909
State capital	Los Teques
Area    •%	7,950 km² 0,87   (Ranked 17th)
Population    •%	2,857,900 hab. (2007 est.) 10,3   (Ranked 2nd)
Emblematic tree	The Roso blanco (Brownea leucantha)
ISO 3166-2	VE-M
Governor	Henrique Capriles Radonski 2008 - 2012
Website: Gobernación del Estado Miranda

Aerial view of Chacao Altarmira in Miranda

Estado Miranda is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. It is ranked second in population among Venezuelan states, after Zulia state. In 2007, it had approximately 2,857,943 residents. It also has the greatest Human Development Index in Venezuela according to the Venezuelan National Institute of Statistics. Miranda is also important center for political, economic, cultural and commercial activities. The state relies on a government of 21 municipal mayorships and one governor.

Miranda State covers a total surface area of 7,950 km².

Municipalities and municipal seats

1. Acevedo (Caucagua)
2. Andrés Bello (San José de Barlovento)
3. Baruta (Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Baruta)
4. Brión (Higuerote)
5. Buroz (Mamporal)
6. Carrizal (Carrizal)
7. Chacao (Chacao)
8. Cristóbal Rojas (Charallave)
9. El Hatillo (El Hatillo)
10. Guaicaipuro (Los Teques)
11. Independencia (Santa Teresa del Tuy)
12. Lander (Ocumare del Tuy)
13. Los Salias (San Antonio de los Altos)
14. Páez (Río Chico)
15. Paz Castillo (Santa Lucía)
16. Pedro Gual (Cúpira)
17. Plaza (Guarenas)
18. Simón Bolívar (San Francisco de Yare)
19. Sucre (Petare)
20. Urdaneta (Cúa)
21. Zamora (Guatire)

Other important towns

Virgin Mary's Betania sanctuary

The Miranda State features a grotto in the area of Cúa (the "Betania sanctuary", after Bethany, Israel), established by Maria Esperanza de Bianchini after what is believed to have been a vision of Virgin Mary, followed by several other apparitions of which she was the one and only witness. These apparitions led her to find a certain parcel of property in Venezuela that had a grotto of Our Lady and running water and establish the place as a site of catholic pilgrimage.

Many locals believe that a Eucharistic miracle occurred at this site on December 8, 1991 during a celebration of Mass. The Miraculous Host, which was declared authentic by Bishop Pio Bello Richardo, currently retired, today is housed at the Chapel at the residence of the local Bishop, or Prelate, in Los Teques. Despite the huge number of believers and pilgrims however, many people believe it all was and is an ingenious hoax.

See also

• Francisco de Miranda
• States of Venezuela

External links

• Governor's page

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