Venezuela
Capital
Caracas
Population
~28.4 million
Currency
Venezuelan Bolívar (VEF/VES - subject to hyperinflation and changes)
Quick Facts
- Languages
- Spanish
- Religion
- Predominantly Roman Catholic
- Climate
- Tropical; hot and humid, varies with altitude
Culture & History
Known for: possessing the world's largest proven oil reserves, severe ongoing economic and political crisis leading to mass emigration, numerous Miss Universe winners, and baseball passion
Also famous for: Angel Falls (world's highest waterfall), diverse landscapes (Andes, Amazon, Caribbean coast), Hugo Chávez's 'Bolivarian Revolution'
Food: Arepas, Pabellón Criollo (national dish), Hallacas (Christmas dish)
Brief History
Spanish colony, independence led by Simón Bolívar, periods of dictatorship and democracy, oil wealth boom, recent political/economic collapse