Venezuela Guide and Resources

Check for available hotels in Venezuela

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

Size Comparison To U.S-located Area
slightly more than twice the size of California

Geographic Coordinates
8 00 N, 66 00 W

Capital
Caracas

Nationality
Venezuelan(s)

Currency
bolivar (VEB)

Languages Spoken
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Population
24,287,670 (July 2002 est.)

Total Population Ratio Based On Gender
1.02 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Migrant Ratio
-0.11 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

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

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

Geographic Areas
Total :: 912,050 sq km
Land :: 882,050 sq km
Water :: 30,000 sq km
Coastline :: 2,800 km

Bordered By
Brazil, Colombia, Guyana

Argentina Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Terrain
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast

Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds

Natural Hazards
subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts

Brief Geography Notes
on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall

Government
federal republic

Administrative Districts
23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 federal district (distrito federal)