VENEZUELAHome of the waterfalls

on Earth

Map of Venezuela

Flag of Venezuela

History• Original inhabitants: Carib, Arawak, and Chibcha-

speaking• Columbus explored Venezuela and gave the

country its name, meaning “Little Venice.” • Caracas was founded in 1567.• Venezuela was one of the first South American

colonies to revolt in 1810, winning independence in 1821.

• Antonio Guzman Blanco governed from 1870 to 1888, developing an infrastructure, expanding agriculture, and welcoming foreign investment.

Geography

Officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela ( Spanish : República Bolivariana de Venezuela )

A tropical country on the northern coast of South America.

It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south.

Its northern coastline of roughly 2,800 kilometers (1,700 mi).

Its territory covers around 916,445 square kilometers (353,841 sq mi).

It has an estimated population of 29,105,632.

Capital city of Venezuela & the largest city: Caracas

Official and National Language: Spanish

Government: Federal Presidential Republic

Climate• The climate depends on what level of altitude

you are on in Venezuela.• The lowlands generally have a tropical climate

whereas the mountainous areas are noticeably colder.

• Rainy season is from May to December. Some valleys in the Andes and other low regions may flood during this time.

• Caracas region is in danger of earthquakes, nothing serious has happened for years though.

People• The approximate population of Venezuela is

27.23 million.• Life expectancy is 70 years for men and about

76 for women.• The literacy rate for the country is just over 93%.• The official language is Spanish but many

indigenous languages are spoken as well.• 96% of the country is Roman Catholic (not all

practicing).• The population growth rate is just under 1.5%.

Culture Venezuela in ancient times was

inhabited by natives, and did not developed much of its culture until numerous other countries came . Venezuelan has been influenced by many outside countries, such as the Spanish, who have made the largest impact on the Venezuelan culture, and whose language is now the national language of the country. Venezuelan music is mainly a mix of Spanish, and African music.

TraditionThe majority of Venezuela celebrates Christmas each year beginning on the 16th of December and going to the 25th. Venezuela, unlike many cultures, believe that baby Jesus delivers presents to children instead of Santa Claus.

ReligionThere is freedom of religion in Venezuela, some are Jewish, some are Arabic, but most have become catholic over time . Religion in Venezuela is mostly catholic., with Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, it is safe to say that Catholicism is Venezuela's main religion.

Education• Approximately 20% of national budget dedicated to

education.• Three levels of schooling, preprimary school

(kindergarten), elementary (9 years) and secondary school (2-3 years).

• The education system in the country is really on the rise in recent years.

• A meager 14 universities in Venezuela, compared to the United States’ thousands of college’s.

• Although Venezuela does not have a powerful education system the way the U.S. does it is rapidly improving.

Flag• The Venezuelan flag has three colors on it,

red, yellow and blue and it also has the coat of arms displayed in the top left corner.

• The red stands for independence from Spain, blue stands for courage and yellow stands for land wealth, the name of the flag is freedom fighter.

Cuisine• Very influenced ways of cooking, a lot of Spanish, Italian

and French cooking is seen.• On the coast a large variety of fish is eaten, red snapper

is fairly popular.• In the Andean Mountain region very much sausage and

cured meats are eaten, including the most famous food in the country, the arepa. Also famous in this region is the trout that live in the streams in the Andes.

• The food eaten in the Amazonian region is very unique. Aside from the obvious yucca, bananas, corn and beans some of the locals even eat turtles, tapirs, monkeys birds and deep fried ants.

CACHAPA ASADO NEGRO

Venezuelan Exports• Natural resources in Venezuela are coal, natural gas,

petroleum, iron ore, gold, diamonds, cocoa and bauxite.• The majorly exported resources are petroleum (oil) and

cocoa.• Venezuela’s economy practically lives off of its oil

supply, without it Venezuela would be no where near as much of a power economically as it is.

• Venezuela exports approximately $60.9 billion a year in petroleum.

• The U.S. is Venezuela’s major market. Over 50% of what Venezuela exported in 2005 went to the United States.

Oil Background• Oil exportation began in the early 1920s • Oil income was not invested wisely, industry

was mired in corruption and waste• Venezuela is an OPEC member• Eighth largest oil producer• Oil export is ~ 1/3 of GDP

– 80% of export earnings come from oil– 50% of the government’s operating revenue

stems from oil

Imports• Venezuela is very inefficient in producing its own

food supply.• They import two thirds of their food from countries

around the world.• In 2009 Venezuela imported $967 million worth of

agricultural products such as wheat, corn, beans animal fats etc.

• Venezuela relies on the U.S. in a big way as both an importer and an exporter.

• Venezuela imports at least a fourth of its food from the U.S.

Trade and FDI• US Viewpoint (1999 statistics):

– Venezuela is US’s 24th largest export market.– Trade deficit with Venezuela was $5.9 billion.– Exports to Venezuela (merchandise) was $5.4

billion.– US imported $11.3 billion

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):– $5.7 billion from U.S. in 1998.– Investments were predominantly in

manufacturing, petroleum, and wholesale sectors.

Sports and Activities• The three major sports in Venezuela are tennis, baseball

and soccer.• Baseball for many years now has been taken very

seriously in Venezuela.• Venezuela has produced many great baseball players

including Luis Aparicio and Johan Santana, two of the greatest players to ever live.

• Soccer is an upcoming sport in Venezuela, although it is not the most popular sport it is among the most played.

• Tennis also is a popular sport in Venezuela. Although it isn’t played extremely often like soccer and baseball, it is watched very often and many Venezuelans look forward to watching the Fed Cup and Davis Cup, national tennis tournaments held in the country.

Luis Aparicio

Johan Santana

Wildlife• Reptiles: Orinoco crocodiles, anacondas, boa

constrictors, rattlesnakes, vipers, iguanas etc.• Fish: River dolphins, piranhas, stingrays,

electric eels etc.• Mammals: Giant anteaters, armadillos, foxes,

jaguars, pumas, giant river otters, red howler monkeys, opossums etc.

• Birds: Wire-tailed Manakin, Troupial, Red-billed tropicbird, Brown Pelican and thousands more

River Dolphin

Anacondas Red-Billed Tropicbird

Jaguar

CANAIMA NATIONAL PARK

is a national park located in Bolivar State, Venezuela. It was established on June 12, 1962 and declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1994.

Tourist Attractions

LAGOON OF MUCUBAJI

- is located in the Sierra Nevada, in Mérida in Venezuela. It is one of the largest in the region and is included in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of September 2007.

Tourist Attractions

SAN JUAN HILLGeological formation of basalt granite, belonging to middle mountain system also shows the presence of limestone deposits, varying its color from pure white to dark brown

Tourist Attractions

Angel Falls, Spanish Salto Ángel, also called Salto Churún Merú,  waterfall in the Guiana Highlands in Bolívar state, southeastern Venezuela. The highest waterfall in the world, the cataract drops 3,212 feet (979 metres) and is 500 feet (150 metres) wide at the base.

Tourist AttractionsANGEL FALLS

GRACIAS!!!

Prepared bySumatra, Bebs Catherine R.