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The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country in northern South America. It borders the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. Off the Venezuelan coast are also found the Caribbean states of Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago.

República Bolivariana de VenezuelaTemplate:Fn
Venezuela flag large Venezuela coa
(National Flag) (Coat of Arms)
National motto: none
File:LocationVenezuela.png
Official language Castilian (Spanish)
Capital Caracas
10° 30' N, 66° 58' W
Largest City Caracas
President Hugo Chávez
Area
 - Total
 - % water
Ranked 32nd
916,445 km²
0.3%
Population
 - Total (2004)
 - Density
Ranked 45th
26.127.351
28,5/km²
Independence
 - Declared
 - Recognised
From Spain
July 5, 1811
1821
GDP (PPP)
 - Total
 - Per capita
As of 2004:
$ 153,331 million (52nd)
$ 5,801 (100th)
Currency Venezuelan bolívar (VEB)
Time zone UTC –4
National anthem Gloria al Bravo Pueblo
Internet TLD .ve
Calling Code +58
Template:Fnb The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has been the full official title of the state since the adoption of the 1999 constitution, when the state was renamed in honour of Simón Bolívar.

The name "Venezuela" is believed to have originated with the cartographer Amerigo Vespucci, when in 1499 he led a naval exploration of the noroccidental coast (known today as the Gulf of Venezuela), along with Alonso de Ojeda. On reaching the Guajira Peninsula, the crew saw the stilt villages (palafitos) the natives built over the water. For Vespucci, this was reminiscent of the city of Venice, and as a result, the region was called Venezuela, which means Little Venice.

History[]

Main article: History of Venezuela

File:Hw-bolivar.jpg

Simón Bolívar, El Libertador

Venezuela was the site of one of the first permanent Spanish settlements in South America in 1522, and most of the territory eventually became part of the viceroyalty of New Granada. Parts of what is now eastern Venezuela became New Andalusia. After several unsuccessful uprisings, the country declared independence from Spain in 1811 under the leadership of its most famous son, Simón Bolívar.The revolutionary war was decided, however, in the famous battle of Carabobo in 1821 when the revolutionaries beat the Spaniards. Simon Bolivar led the armies of Venezuela and other countries to free and found what are now Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.Another important revolutionary leader during the war was Antonio Jose de Zucre, who won many battles for Bolivar and was to become his natural succesor until he was murdered.Venezuela became, after the revolutionary war, along with Colombia and Ecuador part of the Republic of Gran Colombia (República de Gran Colombia) until 1830, when Venezuela separated and became a sovereign republic.

Much of Venezuela's 19th and early 20th century history was characterized by political instability, political struggle, and dictatorial rule. Following the death of Juan Vicente Gómez and the demise of caudillismo (authoritarian oligarchical rule), democratic struggles eventually forced the military to withdraw from direct involvement in national politics in 1958. Since that year, Venezuela has enjoyed an unbroken tradition of democratic civilian rule, though not without conflict.

In 1992, there was an attempt by rebellious entities within the Venezuelan military, led by Lieutenant Hugo Chávez, to remove two-time democratically elected president Carlos Andrés Pérez from power. The coup ultimately failed, and Chávez and his co-conspirators were jailed for treason. Pérez, on the other hand, was eventually impeached and convicted for corruption. The coup brought about the death of 80 civilians and 17 members of the armed forces. Chávez's role in resisting a president generally perceived as corrupt by the lower classes made him a prominent figure among them. Chávez was eventually released from jail in 1994 by Perez's elected successor, Rafael Caldera.

Chávez was elected president in 1998 with 56% of the vote as part of a new political party, the Movement for the Fifth Republic. His platform ("Bolivarian revolution") called for the signing of a new constitution, which was written by a Constituent Assembly and approved by referendum in 1999. Chávez was re-elected in 2000 under the new constitution with 59% of the vote. In November 2000, the National Assembly granted Chávez the right to rule by decree for one year, and in November 2001, Chávez made a set of 49 decrees, including large reforms in oil and agrarian policy. The Chávez presidency has continuously isolated the upper and middle classes because of his resentful speeches, his unorthodox economic, political and social policies, his alignment with communist Cuba and his distancing and constant bashing of the United States, Venezuela's biggest trading partner.

Chavez controls all branches of the government since his party has a majority in the National Assembly, and he has hand picked the judges of the Supreme Tribunal. He has been accused of jailing opposition leaders and establishing a near dictatorship.

In December 2001, the nation's largest business organizations and the petroleum workers' union organized a general strike. In 2002, the US-backed opposition staged an unsuccessful coup and briefly installed Pedro Carmona Estanga as president of Venezuela. Due to a subsequent, popular uprising, with support from the rank and file members of the military, Pedro Carmona was forced to resign. Diosdado Cabello, Vice President of Venezuela, became president as dictated by the constitution. Chávez was restored to the Presidency in 48 hours. A recall referendum was held on August 15, 2004, which Chávez won with approximately 58% of the vote. Leaders and supporters of the opposition accused Chavez of rigging the election, but failed to prove the accusation. The opposition claims were later silenced when the Organization of American States and the Carter Center certified the referendum. In 2004 plans for another coup were allegedly foiled.

Since then, Chávez's popularity in Venezuela and throughout Latin America, where two-thirds of the South American continent have elected leftist presidencies, has grown. As oil prices have soared in the wake of the second Iraqi war and booming Chinese demand, oil-rich Venezuela has had the opportunity to refuse loans and aid from the US, in its effort to distance Venezuela from the United States. The Bush Administration's influence in Caracas has plummeted, as president Hugo Chávez accuses the Bush administration of supporting the failed 2002 Venezuelan coup. A 35-year military agreement between the U.S. and Venezuela was unilaterally annulled by Venezuela on April 24, 2005. Under the Chávez administration, US narcotics programs in Venezuela have decreased, as they have little support from the Venezuelan government. Chávez's program has sought to decrease exclusive reliance on the United States and to diversify diplomatic and economic ties with governments throughout the world, such as Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, among many other Latin American countries, as well as China, Iran and India. His government has also consistently pursued closer ties to other countries opposed to the US, notably Fidel Castro's Cuba, as well as Libya, Iran and Saddam Hussein's Iraq.

Venezuela is member of the South American Community of Nations (SACN). (more)

See also: Discoverer of the Americas, List of Presidents of Venezuela

Politics[]

Main article: Politics of Venezuela

The Venezuelan president is elected by a plural vote, with direct and universal suffrage, and functions as both head of state and head of government. The term of office is six years, and a president may be re-elected to a single consecutive term. The president appoints the vice-president and decides the size and composition of the cabinet and makes appointments to it with the involvement of the legislature. The president can ask the legislature to reconsider portions of laws he finds objectionable, but a simple parliamentary majority can override these objections.

The unicameral Venezuelan parliament is the National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional. Its 165 deputies, of which three are reserved for indigenous peoples, serve five-year terms and may be re-elected for a maximum of two additional terms. They are elected by popular vote through a combination of party lists and single member constituencies. The highest judicial body is the Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia, whose magistrates are elected by parliament for a single 12-year term. The Consejo Nacional Electoral is in charge of electoral processes; it is formed by five main directors elected by the National Assembly. (more)

Political Division[]

Main article: Political Division of Venezuela

Venezuela is subdivided into 23 states (estados), one capital district (distrito capital) and the federal dependencys (dependencias federales):

File:EstadosVenezuela02.JPG

States of Venezuela

State Capital City
Anzoátegui Barcelona
Amazonas State, Venezuela* Puerto Ayacucho
Apure San Fernando de Apure
Aragua Maracay
Barinas Barinas
Bolívar Ciudad Bolívar
Carabobo Valencia
Cojedes San Carlos
Delta Amacuro Tucupita
Falcón Coro
Guárico San Juan De Los Morros
Lara Barquisimeto
Mérida Mérida
Miranda Los Teques
Monagas Maturín
Nueva Esparta La Asunción
Portuguesa Guanare
Sucre Cumaná
Táchira San Cristóbal
Trujillo Trujillo
Yaracuy San Felipe
Vargas La Güaira
Zulia Maracaibo
Federal Dependencies N/A

Geography[]

File:Ve-map.png

Map of Venezuela

Main article: Geography of Venezuela

Venezuela is home to a wide variety of landscapes, such as the northeasternmost extensions of the Andes mountains in the northwest and along the northern Caribbean coast, of which the highest point is the Pico Bolívar at 5,007 m.

File:Angel falls.jpg

The Angel Falls (Salto Ángel), world's highest waterfall

Also found in the northwest are the lowlands around Lake Maracaibo and the Gulf of Venezuela. The centre of the country is characterised by extensive plains known as the llanos that stretch from the Colombian border to the river delta of the Orinoco east. To the south are found the dissected Guiana Highlands, home to Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall.

The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, though more moderate in the highlands. The capital, Caracas is also the country's largest city. Other major cities include Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Valencia, Maracay, and Ciudad Guayana. (more)

Demographics[]

Main article: Demographics of Venezuela

File:CalleMaracaibo.jpg

View of an old suburban area of Maracaibo.

The Venezuelan people comprise a rich combination of heritages. The historically present Amerindians, Spanish colonists and Africans were joined by Italians, Portuguese, Arabs, Germans, and others from neighbouring countries in South America during waves of immigration in the 20th century. About 85% of the population live 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.

The national and official language is Spanish, but numerous indigenous languages also exist (Guajiro, Pemon, Warao, etc), as do dialects introduced by immigrants. Nominally 96% of the population is Roman Catholic; other denominations, primarily Protestants, make up the remainder, as well as a Jewish community of about 30,000. (more)

Economy[]

File:RefineríaCardón.jpg

Punta Cardón oil refinery complex in Paraguaná Peninsula.

Main article: Economy of Venezuela.

The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. The sector operates through the government-owned Petroleos de Venezuela, which among other things owns the US Citgo distributor, which has 14,000 service stations in the US.

See also: Companies of Venezuela

Template:Sectstub

Military[]

Main article: Military of Venezuela

(Article to be added)

Culture[]

File:Joropo.JPG

Above, image of a crowd dancing joropo, the emblematic Venezuelan dance.

File:DiablosDanzantesYare.jpg

Image of a traditional public performance by the Diablos Danzantes de Yare (Dancing Devils of Yare).

Main article: Culture of Venezuela; see also: Music of Venezuela

(Article to be added) (Main article to be developed)

List of Venezuelan Holidays[]

Date Name
January 1 New Year's Day
January 6 Epiphany
Monday and Tuesday
before Ash Wednesday
Carnival
From Palm Sunday to Easter Holy Week
March 19 Saint Joseph's Day
April 19 First Step to Independence
May 1 Labour Day
June 24 Battle of Carabobo and Army's Day
July 5 Independence Day
July 24 Birth of Simón Bolívar and Navy's Day
October 12 Día de la Raza (Columbus Day)
November 1 All Saints Day
December 8 Immaculate Conception
December 25 Christmas
December 31 New Year's Eve

Famous Venezuelans[]

  • List of Venezuelans
  • List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball

Gastronomy[]

File:Arepa.jpg

Sample of an arepa.

File:CachapaConQueso.JPG

Preparation of a cachapa with cheese.

Below is a list of popular and typical Venezuelan dishes and snacks:

Main Dishes[]

  • Arepa
  • Hallaca
  • Pabellón criollo (Creole pabillion)
  • Cachapa (Maize tortilla).
  • Chivo en coco (Goat meat with coconut).
  • Empanada
  • Mandoca
  • Pisillo de chigüire
  • Asado negro
  • Mondongo (Tripe).
  • Bollo pelón
  • Chicharrón
  • Pisca Andina
  • Perico

Typical Snacks[]

  • Arroz con coco (Rice with coconut).
  • Arepa
  • Tequeño
  • Tostón

Typical Candies[]

  • Majarete
  • Bienmesabe
  • Dulce de lechoza
  • Dulce de leche (A solid version made in the city of Coro)

Beverages[]

  • Papelón con limón
  • Chicha
  • Morir Soñando
  • Ponche Crema
  • Leche de Burra

National Symbols[]

Venezuela's national symbols include the Flag, the Coat of Arms, and the National Anthem. Other elements relative to the typical flora and fauna of the territory are remarkable. The governments through history have officially declared these as national symbols:

File:Orquidea.JPG

The orchid (Cattleya mossiae)

National Flower[]

  • The orchid (Cattleya mossiae)

This kind of orchid is also known as Flor de Mayo (May Flower). Was first discovered in the northern land in 1839. Was given the status of National Flower on May 23, 1951.

File:Aragüaney.JPG

An aragüaney

National Tree[]

  • The aragüaney (Tabebuia chrysantha)

Called aravanei by the caribes, it can be found mostly in regions with template weather. It can reach a height between 6 and 12 m. The aragüaney flourishes within the period following a rainy season, mostly on the first months of the year. Rómulo Gallegos referred to these months as "La primavera de oro de los aragüaneyes" (the golden spring of the aragüaneyes). Declared National Tree on May 29, 1945.

File:Turpial.JPG

A turpial.

National Bird[]

  • The turpial (Icterus icterus)

Fully coloured with yellow-orange tones except in the head an the wings, which are black with a few tones in white; also has a blue spot surrounding the eyes. It can be found in woods, the llanos, at the shores of jungles, and in northern and southern Orinoco. The turpial is fairly appreciated due to its singing and was declared the National Bird on May 23, 1958.

See also[]

  • Media of Venezuela
  • National parks of Venezuela
  • Transportation in Venezuela
  • OPEC
  • South American Community of Nations
  • Miss Venezuela

External Links[]

Template:Commons Venezuela wikisouce from Wikisource

Government Sites[]

Media and Communications[]

Culture, Images and Tourism[]

Miscellaneous[]

Template:South America

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