Colonia Tovar

Colonia Tovar
Colonia Tovar
Coordinates: 10°24′20″N 67°17′22″W / 10.40556°N 67.28944°W / 10.40556; -67.28944
Country Venezuela
StateAragua
MunicipalityTovar Municipality
Founded8 April 1843
Area
 • Total
250 km2 (97 sq mi)
Elevation
1,800 m (5,900 ft)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total
21,000
 • Density84/km2 (220/sq mi)
 • Demonym
Coloniero/a
Time zoneUTC−4 (VET)
Postal code
1030
Area codes0243, 0244
ClimateCwb
Websitewww.coloniatovar.net

Colonia Tovar (Tovar Colony) is a mountain town of Venezuela, capital of the municipality Tovar in Aragua state. It is located about 65.5 km (41 mi) west of Caracas. It was founded on April 8, 1843, by a group of 390 immigrants from the then independent state of the Grand Duchy of Baden (later incorporated into Germany). It is characterized by the cultural imprint of its origin, so it is called "the Germany of the Caribbean". The economy depends primarily on agriculture and tourism. Colonia Tovar is known for its temperate crops (peaches, strawberries, beets, cauliflower, carrots, cabbage, chard, broccoli, lettuce, onions and potatoes) and their derivatives. Since 1990 it has experienced high population growth, rising from 3,373 to 21,000 inhabitants in 2016.