University of the Andes, Venezuela

Established as Seminario de San Buenaventura in 1785, Venezuela’s University of the Andes is one of the oldest and largest higher education institutions in the country. Second only to the Central University of Venezuela in longevity, it was granted degree-awarding powers in 1806 and given full university status four years later.

A public university situated in the city of Mérida, it now boasts more than 10 faculties spread across three Venezuelan states. Most libraries and faculties are located across Mérida province, but some are based in the neighbouring states of Táchira and Trujillo.

ULA is usually considered one of the most prestigious research institutions in Venezuela and one of the best 50 universities in Latin America.

It briefly moved to the coastal city of Maracaibo in the 1810s following an earthquake that hit Mérida. In the past, it has also been known as the University of Mérida and Western University.

Mérida is the capital of the municipality of Libertador, and the state of Mérida, and is one of the main cities in the Venezuelan Andes. It was founded in 1558 by Captain Juan Rodríguez Suárez,

ULA’s classes are taught in Spanish. It has a wide range of sports clubs and student groups involved in music, theatre and ballet. It should not be confused with the newer University of the Andes in Santiago, Chile.