CARACCAS, an extensive province of South America, forming, part of the Spanish dominions in that country. It comprehends five other subordi nate provinces or governments ; namely, the province of Venezuela in the centre, the government of Ma. nioaibe on the west, Guiana on the south, the go vernment of Cumana on the east, and the Island of Margaretta on the north-east. It is bounded on the north trona the Cape de la Vela to the point &Pa ria, by the Carribbean sea ; on the east by the Atlan tic from the 12th to the 8th degree of north latitude; on the south by Dutch Guiana and Peru, and. on the, west by the kingdom of Santa F6.
This country, extending from the 12th degree of north latitude towards the equinoctial line, might be expected, from its geographical position, to be sub ject to the utmost violence of the tropical heats, and to be reckoned almost uninhabitable by a scorching sun. But throughout the whole continent of Ame rica, the general law of the climate is modified by the elevation of the ground ; and, owing to this cir cumstance, the inhabitants of many parts of the Caraccas enjoy the temperature of perpetual spring. roe this happy singularity in its alimate, the pro vince of the Caraccas is indebted to a chain of the Andes, which, commencing near the province of Quito, traverses the country in its whole extent, and, gradually diminishing in height in its progress to the east, finally loses itself in the Island of Trinidad. This chain of mountains, which varies in breadth from ten to twenty leagues, is generally of moderate elevation. In some points it rises to the height of 8000 feet, but its average 'height is not more than 4500 feet above the level of the sea. These inequa lities of height give rise to a corresponding diversity of temperature ; owing to which the vegetable pro ductions of distant countries, here meeting with a coageaial climate, are frequently found concentrated within a comparatively narrow compass. At intervals rich wallies open, and the sides of the mountains are covered with the finest trees. In travelling into the interior from the coast, the European experiences enlivening change from the hot air of the low countries to the pure and cool atmosphere which prevallein these mountainous regions. The city of Caraccas, according to Depoes, is 3000 feet above the level of the sea, and theugh.it is situated in
Si' north latitude, so Ear from being oppressed by the insupportable heats of the torrid zone, it enjoys the mild and temperate climate of the southern countries of Europe. The highest range of the thermometer in summer is 85°, and in winter 76°, and the minimum of heat in winter is 52°.
To the south, these mountains are bounded by the valley of the Orinoco. The country is here extend ed into immense plains, known by the general name of Las Llamas. Those plains afford pasturage to in numerable cattle, the proprietors of which reside in the towns, leaving them to the care of slaves or peo ple of colour. This race of men, accustomed to be almost continually on horseback, and being almost in a state of nature, in these immense and uninhabit ed plains, contract the most disorderly and lawless habits. Many of them are professed robbers ; they are already beginning to form themselves into bands, and to infest the roads, so as to render travelling dangerous. In these plains the heat is intense, the thermometer frequently rising so 110 and even 115 here are divided into winter and summer, which are not so much distinguished, by cold or heat, as by rainy and dry weather. The rainy season commences generally in April and con tinues till November. These rains are not, however, without intermission. There are some days in which no rain falls, and there are others, though they are not frequent, in which it rains incessantly. It may be calculated that, during the rainy season, it•rains, on an average, three hours each day, and oftener in the morning than in the evening. The long tinued and drizzling rains of the poke' regions are not known here. But notwithstanding of this, the rains which in tlie torrid zone rush down with the violence of a torrent, produce in one hour about six times the quantity of water which is ever known to fall in Europe within the same space. During the rainy season, the rivers are consequeutly in a con tinual state of inundation ; the channels which, dur ing the rest of the year, remain parched and dry, are now •filled with overflowing streams; and the plain through which flows the Orinoco, is inundated by a sea of fresh water for a space extending 150 i leagues in length and 40 in breadth.