Area Code 252 – Lara

Geographic Overview

The +58 252 country and area code combination corresponds to a geographic numbering plan area within the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Specifically, the 252 National Destination Code (NDC) is assigned to the state of Lara, a significant administrative and economic region in the central-western part of the country. The primary urban center served by this code is Barquisimeto, the capital of Lara state, which is also the fourth-largest city in Venezuela. Other important localities within this code include Cabudare, Acarigua (though technically in Portuguesa state, it is often associated with the Lara metropolitan area), and the surrounding municipalities of Palavecino and Iribarren.

Dialing Formats

For callers within Venezuela, the national dialing format for a fixed-line number in the Lara region is 0252 XXX XXXX (or 0252-XXX-XXXX). The leading '0' is the national trunk prefix, used for domestic calls. When dialing from abroad, the international format is +58 252 XXX XXXX, where the trunk prefix '0' is omitted. For example, a local number in Barquisimeto might be 0252 123 4567 domestically, and +58 252 123 4567 internationally.

Numbering and Overlay

Venezuelan fixed-line numbers typically consist of seven digits after the area code. As of the latest ITU-T E.164 national numbering plan, there is no overlay code for the Lara region; the 252 code serves the entire state. However, due to the growth of telecommunications services, some numbers within this range may be assigned to VoIP or fixed wireless providers, but they remain geographically associated with the Lara area for routing and emergency services.

Caller Instructions

Local callers within Lara should dial the area code and the seven-digit subscriber number, even for calls within the same city. Domestic long-distance callers from other Venezuelan states must dial the trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code and number. International callers should dial their country's exit code (e.g., 011 from the US/Canada, 00 from most European countries), then the Venezuela country code +58, followed by the area code 252 and the subscriber number. It is important to note that when dialing from a mobile phone in Venezuela, the same rules apply, but callers may need to include the area code even for local calls depending on their carrier.

Regulatory and Technical Notes

The allocation and management of the 252 code fall under the jurisdiction of the Comisión Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (CONATEL), Venezuela's national telecommunications regulator. The code is designated for fixed-line services, and number portability is available for both fixed and mobile services, allowing users to retain their numbers when switching providers. For international callers, it is essential to verify the current dialing procedures with their service provider, as some countries may have specific requirements for calling Venezuelan numbers.