Why Rubio
Rubio is one of the primary towns in Táchira, an Andean state located in western Venezuela. It serves as the administrative seat of the Junín Municipality and is positioned approximately a 40-minute drive from San Cristóbal, the state capital. The town is widely known as "La Ciudad Pontalida" or the "City of Bridges" due to the numerous bridges spanning its landscape, particularly within its older quarter. It is also recognized as the educational city of Venezuela because of its broad array of schools and learning institutions.
Established in 1794 by Gervasio Rubio, the settlement previously served as the capital of Táchira State before the government relocated to San Cristóbal. Historically, the area played a significant role in Venezuela's economic development. The country's initial petroleum exploration took place nearby in 1883 at La Petrolia through the Compañía Nacional Minera Petrolía del Táchira, which tapped its first well named Salvador. Historically dependent on coffee cultivation, Rubio's modern economy centers primarily around service industries, commercial trading tied to nearby Colombia, and local agriculture.
Visitors to Rubio can explore several prominent landmarks, plazas, and historical structures. In the center of town, the Neo-Gothic Church of Santa Bárbara stands out for its construction using locally manufactured clay bricks. Public urban spaces include Plaza Simón Bolívar, Plaza Gervasio Rubio, and Plaza Urdaneta. For historical interest, Parque la Petrolia commemorates the site of early oil development in the area.
The natural environment surrounding Rubio features various outdoor points of interest. On the outskirts of the town, travelers will find several rivers and waterfalls, along with a system of natural underground passages known as La Cueva de los Milagros. The region combines these scenic natural attributes with a rich civic identity shaped by notable figures, including former Venezuelan President Carlos Andrés Pérez, who was born in the town.
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