estado (state), western Venezuela, bounded on the west by Colombia. The territory of 4,300 square miles (11,100 square km) lies in the southwestern reaches of the Andean Cordillera de Mérida. Agriculture dominates the state's economy; coffee and sugarcane are the leading commercial crops. Rural industry, closely related to agriculture, is usually carried on in the local homes. Relatively large coal deposits are found at Labatera. La Alguitrana claims the distinction of having the first oil well (1878–79) in Venezuela. San Cristóbal, the state capital and leading commercial and transportation centre, is on the Pan-American Highway about 15 miles (25 km) east of the border town of San Antonio. Pop. (2007 est.) 1,177,255.