nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
indigenous beliefs 52%, Christian 41%, Muslim 7%
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
English (official), French (official), Malagasy (official)
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, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Mozambique
Area
912,050 km sq
587,041 km sq
Coastline
2,800 km
4,828 km
Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
tropical along coast, temperate inland, arid in south