in the Santa Lucia valley, in the center of eastern Isla Margarita. Porlamar is to the south. It was then a secluded location considering its inaccessibility to pirates in the olden days. It is a fertile valley which is nurtured by the Cerro El Copey which rises in the mountains here. A bridge across the Río Asunción was built in 1609, which existed until 1970 and provided entry to the town from the north. Demographics La Asunción, under the Nueva Esparta State (NES), had a population of 10,375 in 1981 and the recent figure as of 30 October 2010 was 28,309. The corresponding figure for the NES was 263,748 and 491,610. Government It is the seat of the regional government and the municipality of Arismendi Municipality, Nueva Esparta. Cityscape The city has two banks, a post office, two museums, and a private hospital with modern facilities. The Palacio Municipal is located behind the cathedral and houses the offices of the state government. The Assemblea Legislativa is accommodated in the building which was earlier a franciscan monastery and which also subsequently served as a hospital and prison. A sundial fixed in 1612 at the initiative of a governor, is known as "Relox Equinoccia Inferior". which is still seen at this venue. The Plaza of La Asuncion is in two parts, the southern part is named as Plaza Bolivar and the northern part is named Plaza Luisa Caceres, whose statue is installed there. An old double storied house has been converted into a souvenir shop with a coffee kiosk. The birthplace of the independence hero Juan Bautista Arismendi, husband of Luisa Caceres de Arismendi has been refurbished. Transportation Air La Asunción is located 30 kilometers from Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport which offers scheduled flights to mainland Venezuela as well as charter flights to international destinations. Sea Ferry services are available from a terminal 40 kilometers to the southwest in Punta de Piedras. Conferry offers service to Puerto La Cruz, Guanta, and La Guaira, on mainland Venezuela as well as service to Coche Island. Landmarks Some of the prominent landmarks of La Asuncion are the cathedral of Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion, the Santa Rosa castle, the Museo Nueva Cádiz, the Casa de la Cultura and Cerro El Copey National Park. Catedral Nuestra Señora de La Asunción Built between 1570 and 1612, the Catedral Nuestra Señora de La Asunción is the oldest