Carora

Carora, city, west-central Lara estado (state), northwestern Venezuela. It is situated on the Morere, an affluent of the Tocuyo River, west of Barquisimeto. Carora lies at 1,128 feet (344 metres) above sea level.

The city has a fine parish church, a Franciscan convent, and a hermitage. Carora was originally settled in 1569, but its founders were forced by native people to flee, and the city was founded again in 1572. It enjoyed considerable prosperity in colonial times, when its population numbered about 10,000. Horses, mules, and cattle are raised locally. In addition to hides and leather, Carora exports coffee and rubber, and it is home to a large dairy industry. Pop. (2001) 89,417; (2011) 100,687.