| Geographical Information |
| Map Location |
South America |
| Geographical Location |
8° 00' North Latitude
66° 00' West Longitude |
| Surface Area |
912,050 sq km |
| Climate |
Tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands |
| Natural Resources |
Petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds |
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| Political Information |
 |
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| Country Name |
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela |
| Capital City |
Caracas |
| Government Type |
Federal republic |
| Administrative Divisions |
23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua,
Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta,
Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia |
| Independence Day |
5 July 1811 (from Spain) |
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| Demographical Information |
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| Population |
25,375,281 (July 2005 est.) |
| Nationality |
Venezuelan |
| Ethnic Groups |
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people |
| Religion |
Nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% |
| Languages |
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects |
| Population Growth Rate |
1.4% (2005 est.) |
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| Economical Information |
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| Currency |
Bolivar (VEB) |
| Industries |
Petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly |
| Labor Force |
12.25 million (2004 est.) |
| Labor Force by Sectors |
Agriculture 13%, industry 23%, services 64% (1997 est.) |
| Agriculture Products |
Corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish |
| Export Commodities |
Petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures |
| Export Partners |
US 58.7%, Netherlands Antilles 4.1%, Canada 2.5% (2004) |
| Import Commodities |
Raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials |
| Import Partners |
US 33.2%, Colombia 5.7%, Brazil 5%, Germany 4% (2004) |
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| Transportation |
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| Railways |
682 km |
| Highways |
96,155 km |
| Pipelines |
Extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,262 km; oil 7,360 km; refined products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2004) |
| Airports |
369 (2004 est.) |
| Ports and Harbors |
Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon |
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| Communication |
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| Phone Code |
+58 |
| Internet Abbreviation |
.ve |
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| Other |
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| Short History |
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century,
Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959.
Current concerns include: a polarized political environment, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence
on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples. |
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