Venezuela is located in northern South America bordering the Caribbean Sea, Guyana, Brazil, and Colombia. Its capital and largest city is Caracas. Venezuela has a population of over 29 million people who primarily speak Spanish. The country has a profitable oil industry, but high corruption and economic mismanagement have led to economic crises in recent decades. Hugo Chavez has served as Venezuela's controversial president since 1999, implementing socialist policies and forming close ties with Cuba.

1. Notes of VenezuelaSpanish 2Denver High School (Mrs. Huff)

2. LocationOn the Northern coast of South America, touching the Caribbean SeaBordering Guyana (east), Brazil (south) and Colombia (west)

3. Cities and Urban AreasCapital: CaracasOther major cities: Maracaibo & ValenciaVenezuela is the most urbanized South American nation85% of the total population lives in cities in Northern Venezuela

4. 23 StatesAnd 1 Federal District (Caracas) and 1 zone of dispute with Guyana

5. People and PopulationVenezuela does not report information about ethnicity (meaning they don’t gather data on the race of the population)Best estimates say60% of the pop. = Mestizo or Mulatto30% of the pop. = European10% of the pop. = Various Indian tribesPopulation is 29,105,632Pop. of Texas = 25,000,000An estimated 1,000,000 illegal immigrants live in Venezuela (mostly from Colombia)

6. Languages & GeographyLanguage: Venezuelan SpanishA different type of Spanish that comes from the Canary IslandsOver 40 different languages regularly spoken in Venezuela92% Roman Catholic; 7% Christian

7. Money and EconomyCurrency: Bolivar Fuerte$1.00 US = $4.967 VEF (Bolivar Fuerte)Has a profitable oil industry and a lot of corruption13th highest GDP in the world but most citizens live on less than $2

8. GovernmentPresident: Hugo ChavézTook office in 1999Very controversial figure; major opposition in 1997Free, universal health care for everybody

9. 13,000 – 17,000 BCEHunting artifacts, tools and tribal remains in Venezuela

10. 1498Christopher Columbus lands on the Pearl Islands off the coast of Panama and sends explorers out to discover new land1499 – Explorers arrive in Venezuela and name it “Venezuela”, which means “Little Venice”

11. African Slaves brought to Venezuela to work in gold mines1550’s: Slave trade strong in South American/Caribbean (becomes popular in the US)

12. 1770’sVenezuela’s economy is largely agricultural, thanks to the cocoa industry

13. 1808  Problems over in SpainFrench take over SpainFrench leader Napoleon appoints his brother, Joseph as King of SpainSouth American countries are unhappy with Joseph as their King.1811: Venezuela begins the War for Independence

14. 1821  Independent Super CountryRevolutionary hero and leader Simon Bolivar creates an independent country called Gran ColombiaConsists of all of today’s present day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Venezuela, parts of Guyana, Brazil & Peru1830  Venezuela separates and becomes own country

15. 1899-1925  Big Men, Big GunsMilitary strongmen operate VenezuelaNo one leaderVery poor nation with an unstable and dangerous government and economy

16. Venezuela Hearts Baseball1941: After a World Baseball exhibition game in Havana, Cuba, baseball becomes popular in Hispanic countries (very much so in Venezuela)

17. 1925 – 1980  Struck it RichDiscovery and export of oil in Venezuela booms the economyMixed results for the total populationCountry has a lot of money, some rich peopleCitizens still poor and needy1980: Oil market crashes and Venezuela’s economy is crippled

18. 1992  Here Comes HugoHugo Chavez attempts to overthrown the out of control and unstable government leadersThrown in jail; later released1998: Chavez elected presidentAttempts to disperse money to low-class through health care and education

19. Hugo + FidelHugo and Fidel Castro of Cuba become best friends and allies. Adopt a similar leadership style

20. 2002  Unpopular LeaderChavez is overthrown but regains control after 2 days2005: United States FBI and CIA discuss attempts to assassinate Hugo Chavez2006: Hugo is “re-elected” and changes term limitsLargely suspected that he rigged the electionNo limit on how long a leader may serve = Hugo Forever