Venezuela

Venezuela

area:	912,050sq km (352,143sq mi)
population:	23,611,400
capital (population):	Caracas (1,763,100)
government:	Federal republic
ethnic groups:	Mestizo 67%, White 21%, Black 10%, Native American 2%
languages:	Spanish (official)
religions:	Christianity (Roman Catholic 94%)
currency:	Bolívar = 100 céntimos

Republic in n South America. The w part of the Republic of Venezuela contains the Maracaibo lowlands, which surround the the oil-rich Lake Maracaibo, and the city of Maracaibo. Arms of the Andes mountains extend across most of n Venezuela. Situated in this region are Caracas and Valencia. A low-lying region, drained by the River Orinoco, lies between the n mountains and the Guiana Highlands in the se. The Guiana Highlands contain Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall, with a total drop of 980m (3212ft).

Climate and Vegetation

Venezuela has a tropical climate. Lowland temperatures are always high, but the mountains are cooler and wetter. Much of the country has a marked dry season from December to April. About 34% of Venezuela is forested, with dense rainforest in the Orinoco basin and in the Guiana Highlands. Tropical savanna covers the lowlands; mountain grassland occurs in the highlands. Only c.4% of the land is cultivated.

History and politics

The original inhabitants of Venezuela were the Arawak and Carib Native Americans. In 1498 Christopher Columbus became the first European to sight Venezuela. In 1499, Amerigo Vespucci explored the coastline and nicknamed the country Venezuela (Sp. ‘little Venice’). Spanish settlements were soon established and German explorers, notably Nikolaus Federmann, completed the conquest. Venezuela became part of the Spanish colonial administrative area of New Granada. In the late 18th century, Francisco de Miranda led uprisings against Spanish rule.

In 1821, Simón Bolívar liberated Venezuela and it became part of Greater Colombia, a republic that also included Colombia, Ecuador, and Panama. In 1830, Venezuela became a separate state. Political instability and civil war marred the mid- to late-19th century. Venezuela was ruled by a series of dictators: Guzmán Blanco was followed by Joaquín Crespo and then Cipriano Castro, under whom financial corruption scoured new depths. Juan Vicente Gómez's long and autocratic rule (1908–35) provided the stability for Venezuela to pay off its debts, helped by international interest in its rich oilfields.

In 1945, a pro-democracy military junta, led by Rómulo Betancourt, gained control. In 1948, Rómulo Gallegos was elected president, but in the same year a military coup re-established a dictatorship. In 1958, popular risings brought a return to democracy, with Betancourt as president. Venezuela became increasingly prosperous, but left-wing uprisings, notably two revolts in 1962 (covertly supported by Fidel Castro), led to much violence. In 1976, Venezuela nationalized its oil industry, using the money to raise living standards. In 1989, Carlos Andrés Pérez became president. He introduced free-market economic reforms, but inflation and unemployment continued to rise. In 1992, there were two failed military coups. In 1993, Pérez was ousted after charges of corruption. In 1994, Rafael Caldera became president. His austerity measures provoked civil unrest. Hugo Chávez Frías of the Fifth Republic Movement (MVR), leader of a failed coup in 1992, became president in 1998 elections. He was re-elected in 2000. In 2002, the military briefly ousted Chavez after violent protests and a general strike.

Economy

Venezuela is an upper-middle income developing country (2000 GDP per capita, US$6200). Industry employs 17% of the workforce. The major industry is petroleum refining, centred around Maracaibo. Other industries include aluminium and steel production, based around Ciudad Guayana. Oil accounts for 80% of the exports. Other exports include bauxite, aluminium, and iron ore. Agriculture employs 13% of the workforce. Major crops include bananas and other fruits, coffee, maize, rice, and sugar cane. In 2002, reform of the state oil company caused the bolivar to fall 25% against the US dollar and inflation to rise to 40%.

Political map

Physical map

Websites

http://www.embavenez-us.org