city, capital of Miranda estado (state), north-central Venezuela. It occupies a strategic pass in the northern coastal range, just southwest of Caracas. Named after local Indians, the city was the birthplace of their chief, Guaicaipuro (died c. 1560), known for his staunch resistance to the Spanish conquistadors who searched for legendary gold in the surrounding hills. The city subsequently became a residential and resort area for Caracas but by the 1970s had developed industrially, benefiting from inexpensive land and easy access to raw materials imported via nearby Puerto Cabello. Pop. (2001) 175,000.