Cumaná, city, northeastern Venezuela, capital of Sucre State, a seaport on the Manzanares River, near the Gulf of Cariaco. Cumaná has an excellent natural harbor, with modern cargo-handling facilities. The chief exports include coffee, tobacco, and sugarcane. Located here are distilleries and plants producing furniture and textiles. The Universidad de Oriente (1958) is in the city. The first permanent settlement of Europeans in South America, Cumaná was founded by Spanish explorers in 1523. Earthquakes have devastated the town on several occasions, notably in 1766, 1797, and 1929. Population (1992 estimate) 232,228.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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