VENEZUELA

republic, 9. America bounded N. by Caribbean Sea and Atlantic, EH. by Brit. Guiana, 8. by Brazil, W. by Colombia. Country falls into three divisions: a mountain land in N., the plains (llanos) of the Orinoco, and a region of older degraded elevations 8S. of the river—Venezuelan Guiana. In the N.W. the cordillera of Merida runs N.EK. to Barquisimeto, while the cordillera of Perija forms the boundary W. of Lake Maracaibo. These ranges are distinct from the Andes proper. Their maximum height is about 15,400 {t., and many of the summits are capped with snow, the snow-line lying at about rise to 9,125 ft. in Naiguata, extend to Trinidad. The islands Tortuga, Margarita, and perhaps Tobago, are probably summits ofa submerged range. Drained by Orinoco and its tributaries. Ciimate tropical; temp. varies with elevation, warmest along Orinoco; rainy season May to Oct. or Nov. See Mar §. AMmupRICA. Land is exceedingly rich in natural resources and has gcod means of developing them. Forests have fibre trees, rubber-plants, balsams, cinchona, gums, and dye-woods. Lianos provide pasture for large herds of cattle. Soil extremely fertile, produces wheat, barley, cotton, cacao, indigo, rice, rubber, sugar-cane, coffee, tobacco, fruits. Minerals include gold, silver, copper, iron, coal, salt, petroleum, asphalt; pearl fisheries; few jndustries. Exports coffee, cocoa, hides, rubber, tobacco, etc. Imports proviRailway mileage 535. Inhabitants include Spaniards, Indians, and _half breeds. Government is a federal republic of a federal dist., two territories, and twenty autonomous states; executive authority is vested in president, who is a isted by cabinet of seven ministers. Legislature consists of Congre of two houses: senate of 40 members, two chosen by each state legislature, and chamber of deputies, members of which are elected by popular vote. State religion is R.C. Education is free. Army numbers 9,600 men; there is also a naval battalion. European knowledge of Venezuela dates from 1498, when it was discovered by Columbus. Span. navigators, Vespucci and Ojeda, further explored coast, 1499; the country was subsequently annexed by Spain, under whose control it remained until 1810, when it rose in rebellion against mother country. Independence declared in 1811; war followed, in which Venezuelans were led by Bolivar; Spain was finally defeated, 1819, ‘when Venezuela became part of Colom_bi2n republic. After Bolivar’s death in 1830, Venezuela became an independent republic, being recognized as such by Spain in 1845. Its subsequent history js one of revolutions, civil wars, trade dispute s with various Europe an nations, and boundary disputes with surrounding pop. 1921, 2,411,952. seaport town, Ratnagiri, Bombay, India. Pop. 19,700.