Weather
Tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands.
Terrain
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast.
Currency
Bolivar (VEB)
Languages
Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Religion
nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Ethnic groups
Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people
History
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Current concerns include: a polarized political environment, a divided military, drug-related conflicts along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
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