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General Information

Founded in 1558, it is located in the northwestern par of the country. It has a population of 744,986 people. It has a surface area of 11,300 Km², which corresponds to 1.23% of the national territory.

History

The capital, Merida, was founded October 9, 1558 by Captain Juan Rodriguez Suarez in homage to his city of birth. The city was called Merida de Extremadura in Spain.

The name is a variation of Latin called Emerita, which means to gain relaxation, to finish work, to retire. Merida has a meaning close to merit.

The province gained the same name in 1909. That region was considered part of the Zulia and Tachira provinces and it was known as Guzman. In 1881 it became part of the Great Province of the Andes along with Tachira and Trujillo, it was emancipated ten years later.