Venezuelan units of measurement

A number of units of measurement were used in Venezuela to measure quantities like length, mass, etc. Metric system was optional in Venezuela since 1857, and has been compulsory since 1914.^[1][2][3]

System before metric system

Older system was Spain (Castilian) System.^{[1][3] [4]}

Length

Several units were used. Following of Granada:

1 vara = 0.8 m

1 meile = 6280 vara.^[1][3]

Some other units are:

1 legua = 6280 vara

1 pie = 1⁄3 vara

1 cuarta = 1⁄4 vara

1 pulgada = 1⁄36 vara.^[3]

According to an older source, one vara was equal to 0.835 m (32.874 in).^[4]

Mass

Several units were used. Following of Granada:

1 libra = 0.5 kg

1 bag = 62.5 kg.^[1]

Some other units are:

1 tonelada = 2000 libra

1 carga = 250 libra

1 Saco = 125 libra

1 Quintal = 100 libra

1 arroba = 25 libra

1 onza = 1⁄16 libra.^[3]

According to another older source, one quintal was equal to 46.012 kg (101.438 1 lb).^[4]

Capacity

One arroba was equal to 16.137 L.^[4]

References

1. Washburn, E.W. (1926). International Critical Tables of Numerical Data, Physics, Chemistry and Technology. Vol. 1. New York: McGraw-Hil Book Company, Inc. p. 14.
2. Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 7. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
3. Cardarelli, F. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins. London: Springer. pp. 158. ISBN 978-1-4471-1122-1.
4. Clarke, F.W. (1891). Weights Measures and Money of All Nations. New York: D. Appleton & Company. pp. 81.