Reading Culture: Fall 2019 - Venezuela

Source:: CIA World Factbook

Venezuela

Sources: CIA World Factbook; World Bank

Full name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Short name: Venezuela

local long name: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela

local short name: Venezuela

Etymology: "native stilt-houses built on Lake Maracaibo reminded early explorers Alonso de OJEDA and Amerigo VESPUCCI in 1499 of buildings in Venice and so they named the region 'Venezuola,' which in Italian means 'Little Venice'" (CIA).

Government type: Federal presidential republic

Date(s) of independence: 5 July 1811 (From Spain)

National holiday: Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

Population: 31,689,176 (July 2018 est.)

Location: "Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana" (CIA)

Climate: "tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands" (CIA)

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

Capital: Caracas

Area: 912,050 sq km (352,144 sq mi)

Elevation: 450 m (1,476 ft): lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m (0 ft), highest point: Pico Bolivar 4,978 m (16,332 ft.)

Major language: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Major religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Major ethnic groups: unspecified Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people

Life expectancy: Total: 76.2 years; Male: 73.2 years; Female: 79.3 years

Median age (2018 est.): Total: 28.7 years; Male: 28 years; Female: 29.4 years

Literacy*: 97.1%

Urban population (2017): 88.2% (2018)

Monetary unit: Bolivar (VEB)

Main exports: petroleum and petroleum products, bauxite and aluminum, minerals, chemicals, agricultural products

Gross National Income per capita**: 12,780 (US Dollars)

Internet Domain: .ve

International dialing code: - 58

 * Percentage age 15 and over who can read and write

** World Bank, 2014