
Venezuela Guide
Venezuela – country information
Country name | Venezuela |
Official name | Republic of Venezuela |
Capital | Caracas |
Continent | South America |
Area | 912,050 km2 |
Population | 28,946,101 (2011) |
Foundation of a state | 5/7/1811 |
The highest mountains | Pico Bolívar 5,007 m |
Longest rivers | Orinoco 2740 km |
State system | a pluralistic federal presidential republic with a bicameral parliament |
The biggest cities | (conurbation) Caracas (capital) 3,550,000, Maracaibo 1,525,000, Valencia 1,225,000 |
Official language | Spanish |
Ethnicity/National Composition | mestizo 70.5%, white 18.5%, black 9.0%, Indian 2.0% |
Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic 92%, other 8% |
Currency | 1 bolivar (B, plural Bs) = 100 centimes |
gross domestic product (GDP) | US$13,480 (2012) |
Average life expectancy of the population | 74.54 years (2006) |
Structure of GDP | agriculture, forestry and fishing 5.0%, mining 18%, industry 23.7%, construction 5.8%, services 47.5% |
Venezuela – neighboring countries
State | Capital | Area | Population |
Brazil | Brasília | 8,514,880 km2 | 201 032 714 |
Guyana | Georgetown | 214,969 km2 | 784,894 |
Colombia | Bogota | 1,138,910 km2 | 47,506,000 |
Country overview
According to Abbreviationfinder, Venezuela is a federal republic on the northern (Caribbean) coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south and Guyana to the east. The once poor country has seen a huge transformation thanks to the exploitation of large oil reserves. Its consequence is both large differences between the individual strata of the population and the highest level of social welfare in South America.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a state in northern South America. Common borders in the east with Guyana, in the south with Brazil, in the west with Colombia.
The capital is Caracas, the official language is Spanish.
The climate is equatorial, the temperature almost does not change during the year.
Resorts and Attractions
of Venezuela and a trip to South America, then the best option for you is a trip to Venezuela. It is located in the north of South America and overlooks the Caribbean Sea, which means that you have nothing to lose. The southern coast of the Caribbean Sea, the hot sun and the wild jungle – this is a tourist’s dream come true.
Avid travelers never cease to admire this most beautiful and delightful country in the world. It is impossible to list the sights of Venezuela, the only way to get to know them is to buy a tour to Venezuela and visit this country.
In Venezuela, the largest lake on the continent of Maracaibo (a huge brackish lake) and the highest waterfall on the planet – Angel (979 m), which flows from the top of the highest table mountain in South America Auyantepui (tepui – table mountain). This name was coined by the locals and is translated as the mountain of the devil.
In addition, Venezuela is proud of its rich flora and fauna. The spoken language of Venezuela is Spanish, but English is also understood in some parts of the country. The capital of Caracas is located in a wonderful valley in the north of the country. Among the sights of Venezuela, one can also note the ancient settlements of the conquistadors, thousands of kilometers of beaches, the amazing beauty of the Andes mountains, one of the largest rivers in the world, the Orinoco, and the longest cable car in the world. In Venezuela, the richest picturesque nature includes several thousand unique exotic species of animals.
There are no direct flights from Russia to Venezuela, so it is best to fly via Madrid, Paris or Frankfurt.
Country data
Location: Northern South America
Time zone: CET – 5.5 (during summer time: CET – 6.5)
Total area: 912,050 km²
Land area: 882,050 km²
Water area: 30,000 km²
Length of the state border: 4,993 km
Bordering countries are accounted for:
Brazil: 2,200 km
Guyana: 743 km
Colombia: 2,050 km
Coastline: 2,800 km
Capital: Caracas
Regions: 25
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
Electric current: 110 V / 60 Hz
Telephone code: 00 58 (Source: Allcitycodes)
Highest point: Pico Bolivar 5,007 m
Population
Population: approx. 28.9 million residents (Countryaah, 2021)
Population growth: 1.4% per year
Population density (residents per km²): 32
Life expectancy: 71 (male), 78 (female)
Official language: Spanish
Religions:
- 96% Roman Catholic
- 2% Protestants
- 2% other
Climate
There is a tropical climate in the plains and a moderate climate in the mountains. It can get quite cold at altitudes above 2,000 m. The rainy season lasts from May to December.
With increasing altitude from sea level, the humidity decreases (from 90% in the lowlands to about 60% in the mountains).
Currency / finance
Currency unit: Bolivar (VEF)
Classification: 1 bolivar = 100 céntimos
ATMs: Available in the major cities.
International credit cards: These are accepted by some of the larger hotels and shops.
Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported in unlimited amounts.
The export is allowed in the amount of the declared import minus the exchanged amounts. You should keep all bills of exchange in a safe place until your departure.
As a foreign currency, US dollars are recommended as this is the easiest to change.
Cash payment is common in the interior of the country.
Customs regulations
The following may be carried duty-free:
- 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars
- 2 liters of alcoholic beverages
- small amounts of perfume
(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)
Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.
Travel advice
There have been violent riots recently due to political unrest. There are also frequent demonstrations that have not been announced in advance.
You should therefore avoid large gatherings of people.
In May 2016, the government declared a state of emergency across the country.
The supply situation has deteriorated in all areas of the economy. There are always bottlenecks in the supply of drinking water, food, medical products and electricity.
Behavioral advice
You should only exchange money in approved banks, otherwise you run the risk of being cheated.
There have been isolated attacks and thefts by uniformed perpetrators.
In the border areas with Colombia, the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime is higher than in other parts of the country. Travel to this region is not recommended.
Economy
Most of the economy is geared towards the extraction and processing of crude oil.
Most of the natural resources that are mined in Venezuela are intended for export.
Since agriculture does not produce enough food for self-sufficiency, a lot of food also has to be imported.
Industries: aluminum processing, building materials, natural gas and oil production, food production, mechanical engineering, textiles
Natural resources: bauxite, diamonds, iron ore, natural gas, petroleum, gold, hydropower
Land use:
- Usable land: 4%
- Grain cultivation: 1%
- Pasture area: 20%
- Forests: 34%
- other: 41%