nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
indigenous beliefs 47%, Roman Catholic 38%, Protestant 15% (1998 est.)
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Portuguese (official), Bantu and other African languages
Exports
petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures
External Debt
$89,600,000,000 $
Exchange Rate
bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 2.147 (2008 est.), 2,147 (2007), 2,147 (2006), 2,089.8 (2005), 1,891.3 (2004) note: On 1 January 2008 Venezuela revalued its currency with 1000 old bolivares equal to 1 new bolivar
Military Budget as percentage of GDP
1.200%
Beijing Olympics Medal Count
1
0
Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Southern Africa, bordering the South Atlantic Ocean, between Namibia and Democratic Republic of the Congo
Area
912,050 km sq
1,246,700 km sq
Coastline
2,800 km
1,600 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
semiarid in south and along coast to Luanda; north has cool, dry season (May to October) and hot, rainy season (November to April)
