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South America > Venezuela
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Facts and figures
* Age distribution
* Agriculture (108)
* Background (2)
* Crime (37)
* Currency (10)
* Democracy (29)
* Disasters (1)
* Economy (1301)
* Education (149)
* Energy (566)
* Environment (72)
* Food (5)
* Geography (50)
* Government (90)
* Health (116)
* Identification (19)
* Immigration (12)
* Industry (41)
* Internet (21)
* Labor (124)
* Language (7)
* Lifestyle (10)
* Media (111)
* Military (60)
* Mortality (2463)
* People (250)
* Religion (38)
* Sports (83)
* Taxation (27)
* Terrorism (24)
* Transportation (110)
* Top Rankings
* Bottom Rankings
Background:
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 CHAVEZ, president since 1999, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. 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.
Borders:
Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km
Population:
26,414,816
GDP per capita:
$6,730.41 per capita
Capital with population:
Caracas - (Metro area: 5,100,000)
Largest city with population:
Caracas - (Metro area: 5,100,000)
Alternative names:
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela, Venezuela, RB,
Top Rankings
* Economy > Population below poverty line
* Lifestyle > Happiness level > Very happy
* Energy > Natural Gasoline > Production
Bottom Rankings
* Media > Personal computers (per capita)
* Health > Physicians > per 1,000 people
* Economy > Business efficiency
More Top Rankings »
More Bottom Rankings »
Maps of Venezuela
Venezuela - Vegetation
Venezuela - Vegetation Venezuela
Venezuela Venezuela
Venezuela Maracaibo, Venezuela
Maracaibo, Venezuela
(View 3 more maps)
Popular articles
* Venezuela
* History of Venezuela
* Venezuelan Beaver cheese
* Venezuelans
* Transnational issues of Venezuela
Lists and articles
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COMMENTARY
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Pablo gomez
17th February 2005 Venezuela shares its oil with Cuba (approx 53000 bpd) in exchange for Cuban profesionals.
debbie
3rd March 2005 I have to strongly criticize this site for the previously mentioned statement about "there's no fair chance for the opposition." Would the same be printed for the alleged democratic structure of the United States? Please correct your obvious conservative bias.
jose
22nd April 2005 I have to agree with Pablo's statement "there's no fair chance for the opposition". It is the truth and all people have the right to know. Chavez is more of a dictator than a president. I understand that left-wingers tend to "like" the ideal behind the Chavez regime, but understand that Chavez does not have his countrymen's interest at heart, he'll do anything to stay in power.
Andrea
30th May 2005 I agree with both Jose and Pablo. Being a Venezuelan myself who is now living in the USA after Chavez's democratic election, I have lived through what Chavez has done to us. Being able to travel back and forth, and watching from the outside while still having the chance to go back and live through it myself, I can say that Chavez is bringing Venezuela down. Being an economics major at a university here in the US, I am currently finishing a term paper concerning Venezuela. I am sad to say that not only do we have more poor people by the month (poor meaning less than $2 a day), but our national economy, our GDP growth is now at 10%.
Debbie, your criticism, I am afraid, is invalid unless you have had the chance to live through what we, the Venezuelans, have lived through.
Venezuelan (Venezuela)
13th April 2007 Chavez is bringing us Latin Catholics of Venezuela down along with the Arab Muslims in the country. Some within my community are members of La Cosa Nostra and in some people of the Arab community are members of al-Qaida. Chavez supports them both under his corrupt regime.
Morty (Norway)
2nd August 2007 Andrea , its with irony I read your line "unless you have had the chance to live through what we, the Venezuelans, have lived through." What is that? You yourself have the chance to go to the states, and go back and forth as you please. I dont think you have a bad life, it does not seem like that. What has happend to you, is that you probably have seen what problems Venezuela have had for a long time. Chavez has brought them into the light, and now you see proverty. What is it that Chavez has done to you that is so bad? Please, tell me. I am all ears. No answer or meaning is invalid, that is a fact you should start learning just now.
Steve
5th October 2007 Well, it's true that there isn't a fair chance for the opposition. Because the opposition is incompetent, while Chavez is moving the country forward.
Allen
19th November 2007 I just wander how much money is he pocketing since he came to power. If he for the people what does he change the laws in favor of himself to stay in power. He is wolf in sheep clothes. I really don't think he has done anything better than previous government and he is as corrupt as they were. I just hope that we can take him out before it gets out hand.
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