COJEDES

inland state, northwestern Venezuela, surrounded by the states of Yaracuy and Carabobo on the north, Gurico on the east, Barinas on the south, and Portuguesa on the west. Since colonial days cattle raising has dominated the local economy. The state, which has an area of 5,714 sq mi (14,800 sq km), lies mainly in the Llanos (plains), with no elevation above 700 ft (210 m). Drained by secondary tributaries of the Orinoco River, Cojedes has a tropical climate with extremes of wetness and dryness, which brings hardship to the cattlemen, who must contend with hazards of flooding as well as drought. About 50 in. (1,270 mm) of rain fall during the rainy season (May to September or October). There is some agriculture: coffee is grown in the low northern hills, and corn (maize), cotton, sugarcane, and cassava are cultivated in irrigated lands in the south. San Carlos (q.v.), the state capital, and Tinaquillo are the principal market centres. Pop. (1983) 129,634.