Merida, (1) capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan, is situated on a barren plain, 25 miles S. of Progreso, on the Gulf of Mexico, and 95 miles
NE. of Campeachy. It occupies the site of a former native city, and was founded by the Spaniards in 1542. Merida has a cathedral and thirteen churches, a university, seminary, girls' high school, and conservatory of music, an antiquarian museum, a public library, hospital, almshouse, and foundling asylum. Its trade is not extensive. Pop. 32,000.—(2) A town of Venezuela, capital of Los Andes state, lies 5290 feet above sea-level, at the foot of the Sierra Nevada de Merida, and 70 miles S. of the lake of Maracaybo. Founded in 1558, it was almost wholly destroyed by earthquake in 1812 and 1894. It is the seat of a bishop, contains a university and several higher schools, and has manufactures of carpets and woollen and cotton stuffs. Pop. 10,750.