Executive power is in the hands of a President, who exercises his authority through a ministry of 6 and a Federal Council of 16 members; legislative, in a Congress of two Houses, the Senate and House of Representatives. Vice-President chosen by the Council. Capital, Carácas; population, 55,638. Chief towns, Valencia (population, 36,145) and Barquisimeto (population, 28,918). Army: peace footing, 2,545 officers and men; war footing, 350,000.
Mineral resources very great. Venezuela gold fields among the richest in the world; iron and copper abundant. Value of mineral products, 1884, §4,452,050; gold, $3,243,380. Latest reports give value of imports as $17,253,130; exports, $19,720,225.
Agriculture the most important industry. Number engaged in it, 1884, 375,820; number of acres cultivated, 852,500. Coffee the most important product; total value of product, 1884, $11,255,000; value, of sugar product, $7,686,000; corn, $6,000,000; cocoa, $2,998,000. Latest reports give number of cattle as 2,926,733; goats and sheep, 3,490,563; horses, 291,603; mules, 906,467; swine, 976,600.
State religion, Roman Catholic; all others tolerated. In 1883 the government spent $500,000 in public instruction. Number universities, 2; colleges, 33; normal schools, 5; other schools, 1,794. Number of miles of railway, 1884, 102; telegraphs, 1,145 miles.
BRITISH GUIANA.Ghe-a´na.
A territory in northeast part of South America. First settled by the Dutch, 1580. Acquired by the British in 1803; formally ceded in 1814. Estimated area, 76,000 square miles. Population, 248,110. Crossed by two great mountain systems. Contains many rivers; largest, Essequibo, 600 miles long, noted for magnificent cataracts. Thermometer rises to 90° in warm weather; falls to 75° in winter season; mean annual average at Georgetown, 81°. Rainfall per year, about 72 inches.