RELIGION AND INSTRUCTION
1369
Pop.
lop.
State
CapiUl
Dec 21, 1918
State
CapiUl
Apure .
San Fernando
Portuguesa .
Guanare
114.483
de Apure
Sucre .
Cum ana
iii on
Aragua
Mara cay
Tachira
San Cristobal
137,677
Anzoategui .
Barcelona
101,329
Trnjillo
Trnjillo
187,550
Bolivar.
Cindad BoliTar
70,962
YaracuT
San Felipe
102.329
Carabobo
Valencia
191,795
Zamora
Barinas
75,580
CojeUes
San Carlos
104, SM
Znlia
Maracaibo
IM,«M
Falcon .
Coro
170,324
Ter. Amazonas
San Fernando
Guarico
Calabozo
de Atabapo
45,097
Lara
Barqmsimeto
235,115
„ Delta-
Tucupita
9,317
Monagas
Matnrin
90,747
Amacnro
Merida .
Merida
117,142
Federa
Caracas
134,642
Miranda
Ocamare
175,967
Xueva Esparta
La Asuncion
53,704
Total .
Some of the more important cities with their population according to the census of 1891, are: Caracas 90,000 ; Merida (State of Merida), 13,366; San Cristobal (Tachira), 16,797 ; Bocono (Trujillo), 13,233 ; Valencia (Carabobo), 54,387 ; Barquisimeto (Lara), 27,069 ; Ciudad Bolivar (Bolivar), 17,535 ; Puerto Cabello (Carabobo), 13,176 ; Barcelona (Anzoategui), 14,089 ; Maturin (Monagas), 20,130 ; La Victoria (Aragua), 14,709 : Villa de Cura (Aragua), 15,792 ; and Maracaibo (Zulia), 34,740 (estimated at 48,500 in 1915).
The movement of population, according to official statistics, is sliowu as follows : —
Year
Marriages |
Births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
H'17 1918 1919
8.655 12,691 17,170
77,486
T.8S7
6,153 12,433
7,1S2 5,841
Religion and Instruction.
The Roman Catholic is the State religion, but there is toleration of all others. The Archbishop of Caracas has 5 suffragan bishops.
Instruction is given both in public and private schools, and teaching is entirely free. But under a new scheme introduced in 1915, all pupils whether of elementary, professional or high schools, must pass the requisite State examination. The State also prescribes the courses of study for all grades of schools. Great stress is laid on practical instruction, and accordingly in 1915 the Government established practical courses in medicine, and began to build laboratories for all grades of schools. Elementary instruction is free, but back- ward, and from the age of 7 to the completion of the primary grade, com- pulsory. At Caracas i» the central University (it has been closed since October, 1912), and in Merida is the University of Los Andes. Superior instruction is divided into schools, viz.: Philosophy and Letters; Physical, Mathe- matical, and Natural Sciences ; Medical Science ; Politieal Science ; and Ecclesiastical Science. These schools can be established separately or can unite to form Universities. There are at present in activity, the University of Los Andes, eight schools of Political Science and of Ecclesiastical Science, and in Caracas Schools of Medical Science and of Ecclesiastical Science, besides private schools of Politieal Science. Steps are being taken for the establishment of other schools and institutes for superior instruction. The University Faculties have teaching members (professors), ordinary members (doctors), and honorary members The Government
