Central University of Venezuela was established in 1721 and is the oldest higher education institution in Venezuela as well as one of the oldest universities in the Western Hemisphere. Its main campus is located in the capital city, Caracas, and was designed by architect Carlos Raúl Villanueva. In 2000, the campus was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As of 2025, the university has a total of 25,604 students and 3,531 faculty and staff members.