This yearlong series is presented in collaboration with the Connecticut Geographic Alliance. For more information about NIE visit www.courantnie.com or call 241-3144.
Country View
Venezuela is a beautifully diverse country in northern South America.
Venezuela was one of the three countries that were formed after the fall of Gran Colombia in 1830, along with Ecuador and Colombia.
It has been a democratic country since 1958, and until his death on
March 5, 2013, was led by President
Hugo Chavez.The country is currently under the leadership of newly elected
President Nicolas Maduro.
Venezuela is best known for the spectacular Angel Falls, the highest uninterrupted waterfall on Earth. It is the most-visited site in Venezuela and one of the main sources of the country’s tourism industry. This natural phenomenon is 3,212 feet tall and cascades into a series of rapids that are part of the Karep
River. Equally beautiful are the country’s white sand beaches.
Venezuela is renowned for having the longest Caribbean coast of any country. Rounding out the stunning landscape of
Venezuela are the lush tropical rainforests, and snowcapped Andean mountaintops.
With so many natural riches, it is hard to believe that tourism is not a major source of income for the country, but many travellers are leery of the security and safety that Venezuela has to offer, due to its tumultuous political past. Venezuela has long been a major source of oil for the world market, and oil continues to be the country’s number one export. Venezuela is working to remedy its violent social image and bring visitors to the country by following the lead of neighboring countries, such as Colombia, that have witnessed a recent tourism boom.
Venezuela is known for its mix of Spanish and Creole foods, including arepas; quintessential street foods that resemble tacos. Arepas are thick corn tortillas filled with meats, vegetables, or beans. Hallacas are Venezuela’s version of tamales, which can be filled with a variety of meats, olives, or vegetables and steamed in plantain leaves. Empanadas, fish stews, and hot dogs are also popular meals. Since Venezuela is one of the world’s major producers of cacao and coffee beans, coffee and chocolate are typically of excellent quality.
Caracas, Venezuela
Location: Venezuela is bordered by Colombia to the west, and Guyana to the east. Southern Venezuela borders Brazil, and is largely made up of rainforests and marshlands. Thus, this region is largely uninhabited. Venezuela’s northern coast borders the
Caribbean Sea and the islands of Aruba, Bonaire,
Curaçao, Trinidad, and Tobago. Venezuela is located at approximately 9° north latitude, and 66° west latitude.
Place: The official language of Venezuela is Spanish, though there are numerous dialects. The religious majority is Roman Catholic. Venezuela’s currency is the
Bolivar Fuerte (BsF). The country has strict currency controls in effect, and therefore the Bolivar is not easily converted in or outside the country. It currently rates at approximately 4.3 BsF per U.S. dollar.
Human Environment: Venezuela is home to a myriad of ethnic groups, including Portuguese, German, Arab,
African, Italian and Spanish along with the indigenous peoples. Ninety-three percent of the population lives in urban settings, including the capital city of Caracas, which is home to more than 3 million people! Caracas is known as one of the most modern cities in South
America. The urban areas of Venezuela are known for their museums, theaters, colonial architecture and cosmopolitan restaurants.
Region: Venezuela is located in northern South
America. It has a tropical, hot, and humid climate that includes rainforests and marshlands. Temperatures can be more moderate toward the mountainous highlands of the Andes region.
Movement: Venezuela has experienced some economic and political strife prior to and during the
Chavez administration. In 2003, over 20,000 oil engineers and related employees were laid off due to an oil strike, and many emigrated to the United States,
Canada, and Colombia seeking work and refuge.
Many workers from other South American countries, and southern Europe, however, have immigrated to
Venezuela due to their lenient migration policies and availability of education and healthcare. Venezuela continues to be a leading exporter of oil today.
• Venezuela is the 5th largest worldwide oil distributor.
• Pemon is an indigenous language spoken almost solely in Venezuela.
According to the 2001 census, there were 15,094 Pemon speakers in Venezuela.
• Angel Falls was originally named after Jimmie Angel, a US aviator who was the first to fly over the falls in a plane. In 2009, President
Chavez announced his desire to change the name to the original
Pemon name “Kerepakupai Vená,” meaning “waterfall of the deepest place.”
• Venezuela was allegedly named due to its likeness to Venice, Italy.
When early explorers landed in Venezuela, they saw homes built upon stilts, which reminded them of the canal homes of Venice, or Venezia.
• Venezuela’s rainforests stand out in terms of biodiversity, or the variety of plant and animal species within an ecosystem. It ranks in the top 20 countries in the world with regard to its variety of birds, amphibians and plants.
Algeria
Iraq
Qatar
Angola
Kuwait
Saudi Arabia
Venezuela is a member of OPEC-The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries that controls a majority of the world’s oil and proven reserves. On a blank world map label the following 12 member countries:
Ecuador
Libya
Iran
Nigeria
Venezuela United Arab Emirates
1. How many of these countries are in South America?
2. Which countries border the Persian Gulf?
3. Choose one of these countries and develop a trading plan for their oil (for example Saudi Arabia might trade oil for cork from Portugal). Be sure to include three items the country will need to import and the destination for their oil. When you display the why of where, you are on your way to geo-literacy.
You learned that Venezuela is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. What does that mean? It means that it has the most species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians as well as plants. Venezuela is home to 14,000 species of birds and is considered one of the best bird watching places in the world. It also has 353 species of mammals, 232 reptile species, 288 amphibians and 21,000 species of plants. Along with the Rainforest, the cloud forests, also known as tepui or Tabletop Mountain , in southern
Venezuela are where many plants and animals are also found.
• The rainforests in Venezuela are threatened due to logging, mining and other projects that are taking place. Environmentalists are concerned. Do some research and find out more information about this, why it is happening and what is being done to stop it.
• The United States is also considered a very biodiverse country. Using the internet, read about which states are home to a variety of plants and animals. As a class, list the top 5 states that have the greatest diversity. Explain the role land formations and climate plays in your findings.
NEXT PAGE - May 16, 2013