 Population
The Venezuelan people comprise a combination of European, indigenous,
and African heritages. About 85% of the population lives in urban areas
in the northern portion of the country. While almost half of Venezuela's
land area lies south of the Orinoco River, this region contains only
5% of the population.
Year Population (in millions)
0-14 years: 29.9% (male 3,909,876/female 3,667,958)
15-64 years: 65% (male 8,287,255/female 8,209,599)
65 years and over: 5.1% (male 590,236/female 710,357)
*Projections Source: Central
Statistics Office (OCEI)
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Capital
Caracas is the capital of Venezuela. It hosts the central government
and the headquarters for most of the multinational corporations. Its
population exceeds 4.5 million and grows at an annual rate of 5%. Caracas
is a cosmopolitan city with numerous museums, artistic centers, theaters,
clubs, extensive malls and world class restaurants.
Other principal cities are Maracaibo, Valencia, Barquisimeto, Puerto
Ordaz, Barcelona, Puerto La Cruz and Maracay.
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Location
Venezuela is the northernmost country of South America. It occupies
an area of 353,841 sq. miles (916,445 sq. km), approximately two and
a half times the size of California. It is bounded to the north by the
Caribbean Sea with a 1,749 mile (2,813 km) stretch of coastline. Other
borders are Brazil to the south, Guyana and the Atlantic Ocean to the
East and Colombia to the West. The legal time in Venezuela is GMT –
5.
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Climate
Venezuela's climate is mostly tropical but varies from cold in the mountains
to warm temperatures along the coastline. Caracas has an average temperature
of 72F (22C). Venezuela has only two seasons: the dry season (from
December to April) and the rainy season (from May to November).
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Geographical
Highlights
Venezuela has 43 national parks, offering visitors and locals a great
variety of natural beauties. Among them, the largest lake in South America:
Lake of Maracaibo; the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls (3,212
feet); the world’s largest and tallest cable car; and the third-largest
river in Latin America, Orinoco river.
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History
Discovered in 1498 by Christopher Columbus on his third travel to the
Americas, Venezuela became the fist nation to be settled by Spaniards.
Under the leadership of its most famous son, Simon Bolivar, the country
achieved independence from Spain in 1821. Following independence, 140
years of instability were necessary to get the last of a series of dictators
to step down in 1958. Since then, Venezuela has enjoyed a period of
democratic rule which continues to this day.
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Language
Spanish is the official language. English is the second language, taught
in schools and universities. Many professionals and high-level executives
speak it fluently.
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Religion
Catholic is the official religion, although there is complete freedom
of worship and separation of church and state.
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Exports
In 2001, exports attained US$ 29.5 Billion f.o.b. Venezuela’s
main exports are petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals and
agricultural products. Its principal markets for exports are the United
States, Colombia and Mexico.
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Currency
Venezuela’s currency is Bolivar. There’s currently an exchange
control, forcing individuals and companies to buy and sell dollars to
the Venezuelan government. According to the official exchange rate,
1 US$ = 2.300 Bolivars.
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Government
The country is divided into 23 states, a capital district, and various
federal dependencies. Each state is independent in their functions but
Venezuela has a National Government.
Public functions are distributed among the National, States and Municipal
government. The national government consists of five branches: Executive,
Legislative, Judicial, Citizens’ and Electoral.
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Executive
Branch
The Executive Branch is headed by the President of the Republic, the
Executive Vice President, the Ministers and other officials as determined
by the Constitution and the laws. The President is both the Chief of
State and Head of Government. The President is elected by universal,
direct and secret vote. The President serves for a period of six years,
with the possibility of an immediate re-election once only. Election
last held on July 30th, 2000.
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Legislative
Branch
The Legislative Branch is formed by the unicameral National Assembly
of 165 seats. Its members are Deputies elected by each state (three
Deputies per state) by universal, direct, personal and secret vote to
serve five-year terms. Three seats in the National Assembly are reserved
for indigenous people.
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Judicial
Branch
The System of Justice is comprised of the Supreme Court of Justice (Tribunal
Supremo de Justicia), the other courts created by the law, the Public
Prosecutor’s Office, the Public Defender, the criminal investigation
agencies, the auxiliaries of justice and prison system.
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Citizens’
Branch
The Citizens’ Branch is governed by the Republican Moral Council
formed by the Ombudsman (Defensor del Pueblo), the Public Prosecutor
and the Comptroller General of the Republic.
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The
Electoral Branch
The Electoral Branch is in the hands of the Venezuelan Electoral Council
(Consejo Nacional Electoral) and its subordinate bodies.
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Venezuelan Facts
