Lara State (Spanish: Estado Lara, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈlaɾa]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Barquisimeto.Lara State covers a total surface area of 19,800 km2 (7,600 sq mi) and, in 2007, had a population of 1,774,867.