Venezuela
Geography - People - Economy - Government - Communications - Transportation - Military - Transnational IssuesCountry name - conventional long form : Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Country name - conventional short form : Venezuela
Country name - local long form : Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela
Country name - local short form : Venezuela
Government type : federal republic
Capital - name : Caracas
Capital - time difference : UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
National holiday : Independence Day, 5 July (1811)
Population : 26,414,816 (July 2008 est.)
Nationality - noun : Venezuelan(s)
Nationality - adjective : Venezuelan
Languages : Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Currency (code) : bolivar (VEB)
Currency code : VEB
Major infectious diseases - degree of risk : high
Venezuela is located Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana. The climate is tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands. The terrain is Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast.
Background
This entry usually highlights major historic events and current issues and may include a statement about one or two key future trends.Background - regional stability. Current concerns include : a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence 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.
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