Mérida is one of the 23 states  into which Venezuela is divided.  The city of Mérida (Capital of Mérida State) is a beautiful city in the Andes mountains about 5,000 feet high. The population of the state is about 706,870. The University of The Andes, located in Mérida,  has about 40,000 students.

Tourism and education is the main industry. The climate is ideal with an average temperature of 70 degrees everyday.