# Mérida

> city in Venezuela

**Wikidata**: [Q23551](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23551)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mérida,_Mérida)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/merida

## Summary
Mérida is a major city in Venezuela, founded in 1558 and serving as the capital of Mérida State. Located in the Libertador municipality, it is known for its high elevation (1,630 meters above sea level) and cultural significance, including its own anthem and twinning relationships with cities like Mérida (Spain) and Oaxaca de Juárez (Mexico).

## Key Facts
- **Founding**: Established in 1558.
- **Location**: Situated in the Libertador municipality of Mérida State, Venezuela.
- **Elevation**: 1,630 meters (5,348 feet) above sea level.
- **Population**:
  - 217,537 (2011)
  - 248,192 (2013, preferred figure)
  - Historical counts: 25,000 (1950), 74,000 (1971), 156,956 (1981), 178,580 (1990), 204,879 (2001).
- **Area**: 25 square kilometers.
- **Timezone**: UTC−04:00.
- **Official Language**: Venezuelan Spanish.
- **Postal Code**: 5101.
- **Local Dialing Code**: 0274.
- **Coordinates**: 8.5833°N, 71.1333°W.
- **Anthem**: Mérida State Anthem.
- **Twin Cities**: Mérida (Spain, since 1990), Oaxaca de Juárez (Mexico), Klaipėda (Lithuania), La Paz (Bolivia), Coro (Venezuela).
- **Identifiers**:
  - WOEID: 468385
  - GND ID: 4297055-6
  - VIAF ID: 134854676
  - WorldCat ID: E39PBJvCJGMtyq9xRTDXXrhWDq
  - Geonames ID: 3632308
- **Website**: [meridaturismovzla.com](https://meridaturismovzla.com/) (Spanish).
- **Historical References**: Documented in *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*, *Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)*, and *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (1885–1890)*.

## FAQs
**When was Mérida founded?**
Mérida was founded in 1558, making it one of Venezuela’s oldest cities.

**What is Mérida’s elevation?**
The city sits at 1,630 meters (5,348 feet) above sea level, contributing to its cool climate.

**What languages are spoken in Mérida?**
The official language is Venezuelan Spanish, reflecting its cultural and historical context.

**What are Mérida’s twin cities?**
Mérida has sister city relationships with Mérida (Spain, since 1990), Oaxaca de Juárez (Mexico), Klaipėda (Lithuania), La Paz (Bolivia), and Coro (Venezuela).

**How has Mérida’s population changed over time?**
Population growth has been steady, from 25,000 in 1950 to over 248,000 by 2013, with notable increases in the late 20th century.

## Why It Matters
Mérida is a cultural and historical hub in Venezuela, known for its colonial heritage, high-altitude Andean setting, and academic significance (home to the University of the Andes). Its twinning with other cities, including Mérida in Spain, underscores its global connections. The city’s unique geography and climate also make it a key tourist destination in Venezuela.

## Notable For
- Being one of Venezuela’s oldest cities (founded 1558).
- High elevation (1,630 meters), making it one of the highest major cities in Venezuela.
- Twinning with Mérida, Spain (since 1990), highlighting transatlantic cultural ties.
- Serving as the capital of Mérida State and a center for education (University of the Andes).
- Population growth from 25,000 (1950) to over 248,000 (2013).

## Body
### History and Founding
Mérida was founded in 1558 under the name *Santiago de los Caballeros de Mérida*, reflecting its Spanish colonial origins. It is named after Mérida, Spain, a common practice during the colonial era. The city has been documented in major encyclopedias, including the *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary* and *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (1885–1890)*, underscoring its historical prominence.

### Geography and Climate
Located in the Venezuelan Andes, Mérida sits at an elevation of 1,630 meters (5,348 feet), giving it a cooler climate than much of Venezuela. Its coordinates are 8.5833°N, 71.1333°W, placing it in the Libertador municipality of Mérida State. The city covers 25 square kilometers.

### Demographics
Mérida’s population has grown significantly:
- **1950**: 25,000
- **1971**: 74,000
- **1981**: 156,956
- **1990**: 178,580
- **2001**: 204,879
- **2011**: 217,537
- **2013**: 248,192 (preferred figure)

### Governance and Symbols
Mérida is the capital of Mérida State and has its own anthem (*Mérida State Anthem*). The city’s flag and coat of arms are distinct symbols, with the latter depicted in the seal image. The official language is Venezuelan Spanish.

### Infrastructure and Identifiers
- **Postal Code**: 5101
- **Local Dialing Code**: 0274
- **Timezone**: UTC−04:00
- **Website**: [meridaturismovzla.com](https://meridaturismovzla.com/) (Spanish)
- **Identifiers**:
  - WOEID: 468385
  - GND ID: 4297055-6
  - VIAF ID: 134854676
  - Geonames ID: 3632308

### Twin Cities and International Relations
Mérida maintains sister city relationships with:
- **Mérida, Spain** (since 1990)
- **Oaxaca de Juárez, Mexico**
- **Klaipėda, Lithuania**
- **La Paz, Bolivia**
- **Coro, Venezuela**

These connections highlight cultural and historical ties, particularly with Mérida, Spain, which shares its name.

### Cultural and Academic Significance
Mérida is home to the University of the Andes, a major educational institution in Venezuela. The city’s high-altitude setting and colonial architecture make it a tourist attraction, with references in travel guides and encyclopedias.

### Historical Documentation
Mérida appears in multiple historical references:
- *Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary*
- *Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1926–1947)*
- *Meyers Konversations-Lexikon (1885–1890)*
- *The New Student’s Reference Work*

These sources emphasize its long-standing recognition in global knowledge systems.

## References

1. archINFORM
2. [Source](https://www.meridadeyucatan.com/las-meridas-del-mundo/)
3. [Source](http://www.merida.es/descargas/festejos/2018-feria-septiembre-revista.pdf)
4. [Source](https://www.municipiodeoaxaca.gob.mx/prensa/1281/aprueban-en-oaxaca-de-juarez-suspension-temporal-de-bares-cantinas-y-salones-de-fiestas/)
5. [Source](https://www.diariomarca.com.mx/2017/04/desde-1964-oaxaca-de-juarez-mantiene-25-hermanamientos-con-ciudades-de-mexico-y-el-mundo/)
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. [Source](https://news.microsoft.com/es-xl/actualizacion-de-zona-horaria-para-venezuela/)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
9. Czech National Authority Database
10. [Source](http://www.ine.gob.ve/documentos/Demografia/CensodePoblacionyVivienda/pdf/presentacion_merida.pdf)
11. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20160305015958/http://www.cne.gob.ve/web/normativa_electoral/elecciones/2013/municipales/circunscripciones/Merida.pdf)
12. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
13. GeoNames
14. BBC Things
15. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)