Hey Rickit,
Mrs. O is correct, but 33 1/3 inches is the modern vara. If you do a lot of reading, you will find that there are a few different Vara measurements.
Originally, a Vara was the average length of the stride of a Spanish Soldier. It was a little inaccurate. It was between 31 and 36 inches. Later on, they changed that to the "walking vara".
They also had the "Castilian (or Measured) Vara" which was exactly 33 inches. Later on, in 1823 (after Spain left), the Mexican Vara was established at 32.8 inches. This may seem very insignificant, but if you have a Treasure Map, that says: "Start at the black rock, walk 39 varas to the North, turn left, walk another 39 varas, turn right, and walk another 39 varas, turn back left, and walk another 39 varas and dig." Even 1/2 inch difference between what the mapmaker meant, and what you interpret, could put you WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY Off!
They also measured distance by "rods" (16.5 feet), "chains" (66 feet), "estados" (usually depth on land, but was 5 feet 7 inches, the average height of a man), "brazas" (usually a measure for depth in water, but was 5 feet 7 inches), and "leguas" (2.12-2.18 miles), codos (16.5 inches), palmos (1/2 a codo= 8 1/4 inches).
Best-Mike
