Discover Fascinating Venezuela Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Venezuela.
Venezuela
Background
ποΈ Venezuela is a country with a rich history! It broke away from Gran Colombia in 1830, along with its neighbors Ecuador and New Granada (now known as Colombia). For much of the early 20th century, military leaders, who were mostly kind-hearted, led the nation. They helped boost the oil industry and made some positive changes for society. π Since 1959, Venezuela has been led by governments chosen by the people through elections! π³οΈ
Year of Emergence from Gran Colombia
1830
Year of First Democratic Elections
1959
Number of Countries Emerging from Gran Colombia
3
Exports - commodities
π Venezuela is known for its diverse exports! In 2022, some of the main commodities that Venezuela exported included:
- Scrap Iron π¦Ύ
- Petroleum Coke π±
- Crude Petroleum β½
- Acyclic Alcohols πΆ
- Aluminum π
These commodities play a crucial role in the Venezuelan economy and are essential for trade with other countries! πβ¨
Exports - partners
Venezuela's exports are spread across several countries, with each partner playing a significant role in the trade game! πβ¨ Here's how the numbers break down:
- China takes the lead with 16% of all exports!
- Turkey follows closely with 14%.
- In third place, we have Spain with 12%.
- The US contributes 10%.
- Finally, Brazil makes up about 8%.
Isn't it interesting to see how these countries connect with Venezuela's economy? Letβs visualize this data with a pie chart! π₯§
Export percentage to China
16%
Export percentage to Turkey
14%
Export percentage to Spain
12%
Export percentage to US
10%
Export percentage to Brazil
8%
Venezuela's Export Partners (2022)
Capital
π The capital of Venezuela is Caracas! This bustling city is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. ποΈ Did you know that Caracas is one of the most significant cities in Venezuela? It's not just a place on the map; it represents the heart and soul of the nation!
Imports - commodities
Venezuela's imports are quite diverse! π½πΎ In 2022, the country brought in a variety of essential commodities to support its economy and people. Here are some of the key imports:
- Soybean Oil
- Wheat
- Soybean Meal
- Corn
- Plastic Products
These commodities play a crucial role in the diet and day-to-day life of Venezuelans. ππ½οΈ
Climate
Venezuela has a tropical climate that is generally hot and humid. π But if you venture into the highlands, the weather becomes more moderate, offering a refreshing change! π Whether you're enjoying the heat or the cooler mountain air, there's something for everyone in this beautiful country.
Executive branch
Executive Branch of Venezuela π»πͺ
In Venezuela, the executive branch is led by the Chief of State and Head of Government, both roles filled by President Nicolas MADURO Moros since April 19, 2013. π€΄
It's interesting to note that the United States does not recognize Nicolas Maduro as the legitimate president of Venezuela. This has led to significant tensions and discussions about leadership and governance in the country. π
The longstanding presidency of Maduro raises questions about governance and international relations, making this an important aspect of Venezuela's political landscape! π
Current President of Venezuela
Nicolas MADURO Moros
Date Since Maduro Took Office
April 19, 2013
US Recognition Status
Not recognized
Legislative branch
In Venezuela, the legislative branch is made up of a unicameral National Assembly π that has a total of 277 seats. This means all those seats are in one house, making it simpler to pass laws and make decisions for the country! π
Total Seats in National Assembly
277
Natural Resources
Venezuela is rich in natural resources, making it a country with an abundance of treasures! πβ¨ Here are some of the incredible natural resources that can be found in this vibrant nation:
- Petroleum: This is the crown jewel of Venezuela's resources! π
- Natural Gas: Another important energy source that helps power the country.
- Iron Ore: A key component for making steel and other materials needed for building.
- Gold: Shiny and valuable, gold mining is a significant part of the economy! π°
- Bauxite: This mineral is used to produce aluminum, which is everywhere!
- Other Minerals: Venezuela has a variety of minerals that contribute to its wealth. π
- Hydropower: The country harnesses water power to generate energy, making it environmentally friendly! ππ
- Diamonds: The sparkle of diamonds adds to Venezuela's treasure chest! π
All of these resources play a major role in the economic landscape of Venezuela. π
Economic overview
Venezuela has faced a tough economic journey π. Since the mid-2010s, the country has been battling hyperinflation, making everyday life challenging for its citizens. The economy is described as chaotic, mainly caused by political corruption, cuts to infrastructure, and serious human rights abuses π«. Currently, Venezuela is in debt default, which means it is unable to pay back its debts. On the brighter side, Venezuela is known as an oil exporter π, and it heavily relies on hydropower for its energy needs β‘. Additionally, the country's relationship with China is on the rise, indicating some global connections π€.
Year hyperinflation started
2010s
Economic status
Debt default
Energy source
Hydropower consumer
Export product
Oil
Government type
π»πͺ Venezuela has a federal presidential republic! This means the President is both the head of state and the government, helping to lead and make important decisions for the country. How cool is that? π Imagine all the responsibilities and challenges that come with leading a nation. People in federal systems often enjoy a division of power among various levels of government. It's like sharing the responsibilities so nobody has to do it all alone! π€
Ethnic groups
π Venezuela is a colorful country with a rich tapestry of cultures! It's home to a vibrant mix of ethnic groups that come together like a beautiful mosaic. While the majority of the population is of unspecified Spanish descent, it also proudly includes influences from Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, and Indigenous communities. Each of these groups contributes to the country's unique identity and traditions. π
Religions
In Venezuela, the fascinating world of religions showcases a colorful tapestry of beliefs! π Hereβs how the population identifies:
- Roman Catholic: 48.1% β¦οΈ
- Protestant: 31.6%
- Evangelical: 31.4% βͺ
- Adventist: 0.2%
- Jehovah's Witness: 1.4%
- African American/Umbanda: 0.7%
- Other: 0.1%
- Believer: 3.5% π
- Agnostic: 0.1%
- Atheist: 0.4%
- None: 13.6%
- Unspecified: 0.6%
Itβs clear there are many different beliefs, with Roman Catholics making up the largest group! π Letβs visualize this rich diversity with a pie chart!
Percentage of Roman Catholics
48.1%
Percentage of Protestants
31.6%
Percentage of Believers
3.5%
Percentage of People with No Religion
13.6%
Religious Composition of Venezuela
Languages
In Venezuela, the most spoken language is Spanish, which is the official language with a whopping 98.2% of the population using it! πβ¨ But did you know that there are indigenous languages too? About 1.3% of people speak indigenous tongues. There are even some Portuguese speakers at 0.1% and those who communicate in other languages make up 0.4%. Isn't it fascinating to see the variety of languages spoken in this vibrant country? π£οΈπ
Percentage of Spanish Speakers
98.2%
Percentage of Indigenous Language Speakers
1.3%
Percentage of Portuguese Speakers
0.1%
Percentage of Other Language Speakers
0.4%
Language Distribution in Venezuela
Imports - partners
π Venezuela has some interesting trading partners for its imports! Based on the latest data from 2022, let's explore where the goods come from:
- China leads the pack with 31% of imports! π¨π³
- Following closely, the United States contributes 23%. πΊπΈ
- Brazil brings in 14%. π§π·
- Colombia accounts for 7%. π¨π΄
- Turkey completes the list with 4%. πΉπ·
Overall, these partners play a crucial role in the trade scene of Venezuela! π
Highest Import Partner
China (31%)
Second Highest Import Partner
United States (23%)
Import Share from Brazil
14%
Venezuela's Import Partners (2022)
Population
Venezuela is home to an exciting population of 31,250,306 people! π Thatβs a lot of friends and families living under the beautiful sun! Letβs explore what this number means for the countryβs culture and diversity. π₯³
Total Population of Venezuela
31,250,306
Area
Venezuela is a country of diverse landscapes! π It covers a total area of 912,050 sq km, making it a pretty big place. Out of this, 882,050 sq km is land, while the remaining 30,000 sq km is water. That's a significant amount of water compared to land! π Let's explore these areas more closely.
Total Area
912050 sq km
Land Area
882050 sq km
Water Area
30000 sq km
Area Distribution of Venezuela
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
π Real GDP in Venezuela
Venezuela's economy has seen some interesting changes in recent years! Let's dive into the numbers of its Real GDP measured by purchasing power parity (PPP). This measure gives us a good idea of the country's economic size compared to others, using prices of goods to make fair comparisons.
π° GDP Over the Years:
- 2018 Estimation: $269.068 billion
- 2017 Estimation: $381.6 billion
- 2017 (Another estimate): $334.751 billion
As you can see, the GDP figure for 2018 shows a drop from previous years. π
π What It All Means:
The fluctuations in GDP can be a sign of economic struggles or changes in the market, which can affect the lives of many people in Venezuela. It's important to keep an eye on these numbers for a clearer picture of the economy's health! π
Real GDP (2018 Estimate)
269.068 billion USD
Real GDP (2017 Estimate)
381.6 billion USD
Real GDP (2017 Alternate Estimate)
334.751 billion USD
Real GDP (PPP) in Venezuela Over Time
Real GDP per capita
π Let's dive into the GDP per capita for Venezuela! This number tells us how much money each person would theoretically have if all the country's money was split evenly. Here are some interesting stats from recent years:
- In 2017, the estimated GDP per capita was $12,500, which shows a rich potential for the country's economy. However, later in the year, a different estimate provided a lower figure of $9,417. It's interesting to see how estimates can vary!
- Then, in 2018, things took a downturn, and the GDP per capita dropped to $7,704. π
This trend suggests some economic challenges Venezuela is facing. Let's visualize this data! π
GDP per Capita in 2017 (Higher Estimate)
12,500
GDP per Capita in 2017 (Lower Estimate)
9417
GDP per Capita in 2018
7704
Real GDP per Capita in Venezuela
Imports
Let's dive into the world of Venezuela's imports! ππ¦ In recent years, the import numbers tell an interesting story:
- In 2018, Venezuela imported $18.432 billion worth of goods.
- The previous year, 2017, saw a slightly lower amount at $18.376 billion.
- Looking back to 2016, the imports were significantly higher at $25.81 billion.
This data shows how imports can change over time, and it seems Venezuela's import numbers had a noticeable drop from 2016 to 2017, and then stayed quite stable in 2018. ππ
Import Value in 2016
$25.81 billion
Import Value in 2017
$18.376 billion
Import Value in 2018
$18.432 billion
Venezuela's Import Trends (2016-2018)
Exports
π Let's dive into the world of Venezuela's exports! Over the years, this South American country has seen some significant changes in the value of its exports. Check out the estimates below for a better understanding:
- In 2016, Venezuela's exports were valued at $28.684 billion.
- Fast forward to 2017, and we see a big jump to $93.485 billion! π
- By 2018, the exports had a slight dip, landing at $83.401 billion.
Isn't it interesting to see how the export figures changed? π Let's take a closer look!
Keep reading to find out more interesting stats!
Export Value in 2016
$28.684 billion
Export Value in 2017
$93.485 billion
Export Value in 2018
$83.401 billion
Venezuela's Export Trends (2016-2018)
Population growth rate
π Venezuela's population is growing! As of 2024, the population growth rate is estimated to be 2.34%. This means more and more people are calling Venezuela home! π
Population growth rate (2024 estimate)
2.34%