Venezuela

Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). 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. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, has promoted a controversial policy of "democratic socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence 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.

Location
Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Geographic coordinates
8 00 N, 66 00 W
Map references
South America
Area

total
912,050 sq km
land
882,050 sq km
water
30,000 sq km

Area - comparative
slightly more than twice the size of California
Land boundaries

total
4,993 km
border countries
Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

Coastline
2,800 km
Maritime claims

territorial sea
12 nm
contiguous zone
15 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
continental shelf
200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Climate
tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands
Terrain
Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast
Elevation extremes

lowest point
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point
Pico Bolivar (La Columna) 5,007 m

Natural resources
petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds