| Mérida (state) | |
 | |
Location  | |
Coat of arms and flag   | |
| State | Venezuela |
|---|---|
| Capital | Mérida |
| Surface | 11,300 km² |
| Inhabitants | 991.971 (2015 census) |
| [link not working]Institutional website | |
Mérida is one of the federated states of the Venezuelan Andes in Venezuela.
To know
Geographical notes
It borders to the north with the states of Trujillo is Zulia and with the lake of Maracaibo, to the east with the state of Barinas, to the west with the states of Zulia and Táchira and to the south with the states of Barinas and Táchira.
The state is located in the northern part of the Andes and is mostly mountainous apart from a flat belt near the lake.
Culture and traditions
The customs and traditions of the State of Mérida have a strong religious connotation due to the strong presence of the Catholic Church, and reach their peak during the holiday season. Religious celebrations are very present elements within the Venezuelan tradition and each town or city of the state has its own characteristic tradition.
Many of the localities of the state celebrate their patronal (or religious) festivals in honor of a saint or the Virgin Mary. In addition, general celebrations take place during Holy Week and Christmas.
Territories and tourist destinations
Urban centers
- Mérida - State capital.
- Bailadores - It is located in a valley in the Cordillera de Mérida, in the area of the upper basin of the Mocotíes river.
- El Vigía - The second city of the State of Mérida, where the "Juan Pablo Pérez Alfonso" international airport is also located.
- Jají - City with colonial style houses.
- Mucuchíes - With its almost 3,000 m, it is one of the Venezuelan cities located higher up.
- Santo Domingo - Surrounded by high mountains that form the Sierra Nevada.
- Tabay - One of the entrances to the Sierra Nevada National Park.
- Timotes - It takes its name from the indigenous people who once inhabited this valley.
- Tovar - Known by many as "The Cradle of Merideña Art".
Other destinations
- Sierra de La Culata National Park
- Tapo-Caparo National Park
- Sierra Nevada National Park - Contains the "Five White Eagles", five peaks over 4,700 m.
- Los Nevados National Natural Park (Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados) - The third most visited park in the country, with over a thousand plant species.
- Páramos Batallón y La Negra
How to get
By plane
You can land at El Vigía, or directly to the city of Mérida. The latter sometimes involves impressive landings, as the airport is hidden in the valley between the steep mountains.
By car
By car you can get here by following some spectacular windy roads through the foothills of the Andes.
By bus
Accessible by bus from most major cities in Venezuela.
How to get around
What see
What to do
At the table
Safety
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Mérida (state)
Commons contains images or other files on Mérida (state)
