Venezuela

Venezuela Background

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: an embattled president, a divided military, drug-related conflicts 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.

Venezuela Information

• Population: 25,017,387 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan
• Location:: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
• Religions:: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
• Ethnic Groups:: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people
• Land Boundaries:: total: 4,993 km border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
• Area: total: 912,050 sq km water: 30,000 sq km land: 882,050 sq km
• Coast Line: 2,800 km
• Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
• Terrain: Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
• Maritime Claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 15 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
• Land Use: arable land: 2.95% other: 96.13% (2001) permanent crops: 0.92%
• Environmental Issues: sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operati
• Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds
• Highways: total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (1999 est.)
• Railways: total: 682 km standard gauge: 682 km 1.435-m gauge (2003)
• Ports & Harbours: Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon
• Airports: 368 (2003 est.)