Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1921.djvu/1421

 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