MERIDA, a town of Venezuela, capital of a province of the same name, is situated on a plain 5518 feet above the level of the sea. The town is well and regularly built, with straight streets crossing each other at right angles, and having a clear stream of running water in the centre of each. It was formerly one of the largest towns of Venezuela, but having repeatedly suffered from earthquakes, especially in 1812, it has greatly declined. The town has a cathedral, nunnery, a college, several schools, and an hospital. Woollen and cotton stuffs are manufactured; and the surrounding country produces coffee of great excellence. The province occupies an area of 10,793 square miles. Pop. of the province (1854), 23,967; of the town, 6800.