republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960 note: the government is currently operating under a power-sharing agreement mandated by international mediators
Independence date
5 July 1811 (from Spain)
Religions
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Muslim 38.6%, Christian 32.8%, indigenous 11.9%, none 16.7% (2008 est) note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%)
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
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
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Area
912,050 km sq
322,463 km sq
Coastline
2,800 km
515 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
