Free Template by Hoover Web Design
Our Team  •  DePaul University  •  Wiggio    COL  •  Bibliography

» Country Overview
»
Network Access
»
Network Overview
»
Networked Learning
»
Networked Society

» Networked Economy
» Network Policy
» Offshore Opportunities
» Analysis & Recommendations

********************************

OTHER LINKS

» Chicago Consulate

Google

Country Overview

Introduction Geographical Statistics People Economy

Introduction

When asked about what Venezuela is known for, some may respond, "Political turmoil." Others may say, "Simón Bolívar", "Oil production", or "Hugo Chávez."

Some people may base their answers from a travel perspective by replying, "Beautiful Caribbean beaches", "Angel Falls," which is the world's highest waterfall, or "The Andes."

Venezuela is certainly a country of extremes - snow-covered Andes mountains, sweltering hot Caribbean beaches, dense and rainy Amazon rainforests, political dictatorships, sky-high inflation, and record-setting oil production.

Venezuela was first settled around 13,000 B.C. by the Yanomami Indians, whose descendants still live in remote isolated pockets without direct contact with the outside world.

Venezuela is Spanish for "Little Venice." When the conquistadors sailed into Lake Maracaibo in 1499, they saw local Indians living in rustic thatched houses on stilts above the water. The Spaniards were, of course, making a sarcastic comparison with Venetian opulence.

Venezuela boasts South America's superhero - Simón Bolívar. His bravery and foresight brought independence to Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia. However, Venezuela suffered the most from the wars for independence, during which 25% of the population died.

Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). 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. Hugo Chávez, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking capitalist globalization and existing democratic institutions. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence 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.

back to top

Geographical Statistics

Area: 912,050 sq km (566,722 sq mi)
Coastline: 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
Lowest point: 0 m at the Caribbean coastline
Highest Point: 5007 m at Pico Bolivar (La Columna)
Natural Resources: Petroleum, Natural Gas, Iron Ore, Gold, Bauxite, Other minerals, Hydropower, Diamonds
Natural Hazards: Subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts
Environmental Current 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 operation.

back to top

People

Population: 27,223,228 (July 2010 est.)
Age Structure: 0 - 14 Years: 30%
15 - 64 Years: 64.7%
65 Years and Over: 5.3%

Median Age: 25.8 years (2010 est.)
Population Growth Rate: 1.515%
Birth Rate: 20.29 births per 1000 population
Death Rate: 5.14 deaths per 1000 population
Urbanization: Urban Population: 93%
Rate of Urbanization: 2% annually
Sex Ratio: 0.98 Males per Female
Life Expectancy: Male: 70.69 Years
Female: 77 Years
Total Population: 73.77 Years
Major Infectious Diseases: Bacterial diarrhea; Dengue Fever; Malaria
Degree of Risk: High
Ethnic Groups Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, Indigenous people
Religions: Roman Catholic: 96%
Protestant: 2%
Other: 2%
Languages: Spanish (Official)
Numerous indigenous dialects
Literacy 93%
School Life Expectancy: 12 Years

back to top

Economy

GDP Purchasing Power Parity: $350.1 billion USD (2009 est.)
GDP Official Exchange Rate: $357.6 billion USD (2009 est.)
GDP Per Capita (PPP): $13,100 USD (2009 est.)
GDP Composition by Sector: Agriculture: 4%
Industry: 36.8%
Services: 59.2%
Agriculture Products: corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee, beef, pork, milk, eggs, fish
Industries: petroleum, construction materials, food processing, textiles; iron ore mining, steel, aluminum; motor vehicle assembly
Labor Force: 12.93 million
Unemployment Rate: 7.9% (2009 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line: 37.9% (2005 est.)
Revenues: $66.37 billion USD
Expenditures: $86.47 billion USD (2009 est.)
Public Debt: 18% of GDP (2009 est.)
Inflation Rate of Consumer Prices: 27.1% (2009 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate: 33.5% (2008)
Oil Production: 2.472 million bbl/day (2009 est.)
Oil Exports: 2.182 million bbl/day (2007 est.)
Oil Proven Reserves: 99.38 billion bbl (2009 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 23.06 billion cu m (2009 est.)
Natural Gas Proven Reserves: 4.84 trillion cu m (2009 est.)
Exports - Commodities: Petroleum, Bauxite, Aluminum, Steel, Chemicals, Agricultural Products, Basic Manufactures
Imports - Commodities: Raw Materials, Machinery Equipment, Transport Equipment, Construction Materials
External Debt: $43.41 billion (2009 est.)
Exchange Rates: Bolivars (VEB) per US Dollar: 2.145 (2009)
In January 2010, Venezuela introduced a dual exchange rate system for the fixed rate bolivar with 2.6 VEB per USD on essentials, and 4.3 VEB per USD on all other products.


back to top

References - click here

back to top

 

 
Free Web Template by Hoover Web Design