Venezuela - MC Grecof

Introduction

Flag:

Card:

Background:

Venezuela was one of the 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: 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.

Geography

Location:

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana

Geographic coordinates:

Map references:

South America, Central America and the Caribbean

Area:

total: 912,050 sq km
land: 882,050 sq km
water: 30,000 sq km

Land boundaries:

total: 4,993 km
border countries: Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

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

Elevation extremes:

lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m

Natural resources:

Land use:

arable land: 4%
permanent crops: 1%
permanent pastures: 20%
forests and woodland: 34%
other: 41% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

1,900 sq km (1993 est.)

Natural hazards:

subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts

Geography - note:

on major sea and air routes linking North and South America

People

Population:

23,916,810 (July 2001 est.)

Nationality:

noun: Venezuelan(s)
adjective: Venezuelan

Ethnic groups:

Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people

Religions:

nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Languages:

Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Government

Country name:

conventional long form: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
conventional short form: Venezuela
local long form: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
local short form: Venezuela

Government type:

Capital:

Caracas

National holiday:

Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

Flag description:

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band

Economy

Economy - overview:

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. Venezuelan officials estimate that GDP grew by 3.2% in 2000. A strong rebound in international oil prices fueled the recovery from the steep recession in 1999. Nevertheless, a weak nonoil sector and capital flight undercut the recovery. The bolivar is widely believed to be overvalued by as much as 50%. The government is still rebuilding after massive flooding and landslides in December 1999 caused an estimated $15 billion to $20 billion in damage.

Industries:

petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly

Agriculture - products:

Currency:

bolivar

Currency code:

VEB

Transportation

Railways:

total: 584 km (248 km privately owned)
standard gauge: 584 km 1.435-m gauge

Highways:

total: 96,155 km
paved: 32,308 km
unpaved: 63,847 km (1997 est.)

Waterways:

7,100 km
note: Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels

Ports and harbors:

Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon

Coffee

Growing-areas:

South-west of the Andes Tachira, Merida central Miranda

Qualities:

mainly washed Arabicas, classified as per preparation

Altitude:

400 to 1.800 meter

Harvest:

September to March

Shippingperiod:

November to April

Port of Export:

Maracaibo

Shipment:

in container in bags (300/250 each 60.- kos net each)

Production:

1.070.000 bags

Export figures:

78.315 bags

Caffeine content:

1,35 %