University of the Andes

The University of the Andes (Universidad de Los Andes, ULA) is Venezuela's second-oldest university, with its main campus in Mérida, the country's second-largest city. The Institution of the Andes (ULA) is Venezuela's largest public university, with one of the country's largest student bodies.

The Bishop of Mérida, Friar Juan Ramos de Lora, created ULA as a Catholic seminary on March 29, 1785. The newly established institution of learning was given the name "Real Colegio Seminario de San Buenaventura de Mérida," or Royal Seminary College of San Buenaventura de Mérida, by De Lora. On September 21, 1810, the institution was given the title of Royal University of San Buenaventura of Mérida de los Caballeros, allowing it to award junior and senior degrees in Philosophy, Medicine, Civil and Canonical (Catholic) Law, and Theology. Universidad de Los Andes remained a Catholic institution until 1832, when Venezuelan President General José Antonio Páez signed a law declaring it a secular college.

Universidad de Los Andes provides long and short undergraduate programs in the arts, sciences, literature, and humanities, as well as courses, degrees, post-graduate professional, magisterial, and doctorate programs, specializations, certificates, and other opportunities.

• Location: Mérida, Táchira and Trujillo, Venezuela
• Website: http://www.ula.ve/