a large city of South America, capital of the Republic of Venezuela, and of the department of Caracas, is situated on the declivity of a mountain nearly 2900 feet above the level of the sea, 16 miles S.S.E. of La Guayra, its port on the Caribbean sea. N. Lat. 10° 30', W. Long. 67° 4'. Population estimated at about 50,000. The city is finely situated, and has a temperate and healthy though variable climate. The mean temperature of the year is about 72° Fahr., being in the hot season 75°, and in the cold season 66°. The thermometer, however, sometimes rises to 84° or 85°, and at other times descends as low as 51° or 52°. Rain is abundant during the months of April, May, and June, but not so incessant as in other tropical countries; the rest of the year is rather dry. It is much subject to earthquakes, from which it has frequently suffered; in that of 1812, 12,000 persons are said to have perished. Caracas stands on a declivity near four streams, namely, the Guayra, the Anaco, the Caroata, and the Catucho, which, after passing the town, unite, and mingling their waters with those of the Tuy, fall into the ocean thirty-six miles east of Cape Codera. The town is well and regularly built; the streets wide and well paved, crossing each other at right angles. There are several squares in this city, of which the Plaza Mayor, or great square, is the most worthy of notice. The east side is principally occupied by the cathedral, the south by the college, and the west by the public prison. This square is a great market for provisions, fruit, and other articles, and contains a sort of inner square in which are ranges of shops. The Catucho furnishes the city with water, which is supplied to the inhabitants by public fountains, as well as in pipes and reservoirs. The chief public building is the cathedral, which is two hundred and fifty feet in length by seventy-five in breadth, and is supported by twenty-four pillars, without beauty or proportion. There are several parish churches, three monasteries for friars, two numeraries, three hospitals (one of which is for lepers alone), and a theatre. Caracas was founded by Diego Loseda in 1567.