1998 Edition

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

Climate

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Coastline

2,800 km

Elevation extremes

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

Environment-current issues

sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast

Environment-international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Marine Dumping

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 66 00 W

Geography-note

on major sea and air routes linking North and South America

Irrigated land

1,900 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

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

Land use

arable land: 4% permanent crops: 1% permanent pastures: 20% forests and woodland: 34% other: 41% (1993 est.)

Location

Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana

Map references

South America, Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims

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

Natural hazards

subject to floods, rockslides, mud slides; periodic droughts

Natural resources

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

Terrain

Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands in northwest; central plains (llanos); Guiana Highlands in southeast

Age structure

0-14 years: 34% (male 3,979,045; female 3,733,364) 15-64 years: 62% (male 7,054,525; female 7,011,814) 65 years and over: 4% (male 469,799; female 554,862) (July 1998 est.)

Birth rate

22.96 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Death rate

4.98 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Ethnic groups

mestizo 67%, white 21%, black 10%, Amerindian 2%

Infant mortality rate

27.52 deaths/1,000 live births (1998 est.)

Languages

Spanish (official), native dialects spoken by about 200,000 Amerindians in the remote interior

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 72.66 years male: 69.68 years female: 75.87 years (1998 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 91.1% male: 91.8% female: 90.3% (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan

Net migration rate

-0.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1998 est.)

Population

22,803,409 (July 1998 est.)

Population growth rate

1.77% (1998 est.)

Religions

nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.08 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.07 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female (1998 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.7 children born/woman (1998 est.)

Administrative divisions

22 states (estados, singular-estado),1 federal district* (distrito federal), and 1 federal dependency** (dependencia federal); Amazonas, Anzoategui, Apure, Aragua, Barinas, Bolivar, Carabobo, Cojedes, Delta Amacuro, Dependencias Federales**, Distrito Federal*, Falcon, Guarico, Lara, Merida, Miranda, Monagas, Nueva Esparta, Portuguesa, Sucre, Tachira, Trujillo, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands

Constitution

23 January 1961

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Venezuela conventional short form: Venezuela local long form: Republica de Venezuela local short form: Venezuela

Data code

VE

Executive branch

chief of state: President Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez (since 2 February 1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez (since 2 February 1994); note-the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held 6 December 1998) election results: Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez elected president; percent of vote-Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez (National Convergence) 30.45%, Claudio FERMIN (AD) 23.59%, Oswaldo ALVAREZ PAZ (COPEI) 22.72%, Andres VELASQUEZ (Causa R) 21.94%, other 1.3%

FAX

[1] (202) 342-6820 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico) Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador John Francis MAISTO embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1060 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (2) 977-2011

[58] (2) 977-0843

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of seven white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band

Government type

republic

Independence

5 July 1811 (from Spain)

International organization participation

AG, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G3, G-11, G-15, G-19, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO, ITU, LAES, LAIA, MINUGUA, MINURSO, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Pedro Luis ECHEVERRIA chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Justice (Corte Suprema de Justicia), magistrates are elected by both chambers in joint session for a nine-year term, a third are re-elected every three years Political parties and leaders: National Convergence (Convergencia), Jose Miguel UZCATEGUI, president, Juan Jose CALDERA, national coordinator; Social Christian Party (COPEI), Luis HERRERA Campins, president, and Donald RAMIREZ, secretary general; Democratic Action (AD), David MORALES Bello, president, and Luis ALFARO Ucero, secretary general; Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), Felipe MUJICA, president, and Leopoldo PUCHI, secretary general; Radical Cause (La Causa R), Lucas MATHEUS, secretary general; Homeland for All (PPT), Alexis ROSAS, director Political pressure groups and leaders: FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers (CTV, labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action); VECINOS groups

Legal system

based on Napoleonic code; judicial review of legislative acts in Cassation Court only; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

bicameral Congress of the Republic or Congreso de la Republica consists of the Senate or Senado (52 seats, two from each state and the Federal District (50), and retired presidents (2); members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies or Camara de Diputados (207 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: Senate-last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held 6 December 1998); Chamber of Deputies-last held 5 December 1993 (next to be held 6 December 1998) election results: Senate-percent of vote by party-NA; seats by party-AD 16, COPEI 14, Causa R 9, National Convergence 5, MAS 3, independents 5; note-two former presidents (1 from AD, 1 from COPEI) hold lifetime Senate seats; Chamber of Deputies-percent of vote by party-AD 25.6%, COPEI 24.6%, MAS 10.6%, National Convergence 8.7%, Causa R 19.3%; seats by party-AD 53, COPEI 51, Causa R 40, MAS 22, National Convergence 18, other 23

National capital

Caracas

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture-products

corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish

Budget

revenues: $11.99 billion expenditures: $11.48 billion, including capital expenditures of $3 billion (1996 est.)

Currency

1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos

Debt-external

$26.5 billion (1996)

Economic aid

recipient: ODA, $46 million (1993)

Economy-overview

The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for 27% of GDP, 78% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. It is likely to become even more important as the state petroleum company plans to double its production over the next 10 years. Realizing the failure of interventionist policies, the CALDERA administration embarked on a comprehensive economic reform program, which included negotiation of a stand-by agreement with the IMF in 1996, elimination of price and exchange controls, and revitalization of Venezuela's stalled privatization program. The influx of foreign capital, and the currency depreciation that followed exchange liberalization, led to 103% inflation in 1996, the highest in Venezuelan history. The government stepped in toward the end of 1996, propping up the Bolivar by using a stable nominal exchange rate as a restraint on inflation-which fell in 1997 to 38%. The macroeconomic adjustments, bolstered by strong oil prices, resulted in strong growth in 1997. However, the East Asian financial crisis and the decline of international oil prices toward the end of 1997 brought pressure on the currency, which Caracas was able to stave off. Caracas readjusted its exchange rate bands and began to allow quicker depreciation of the Bolivar; the government also tightened monetary policy. Concerned over potential revenue shortfalls from soft oil prices for the 1998 budget, Caracas has implemented budget cuts to compensate for previously optimistic oil revenue estimates. The government also has pushed ahead with sale of the state-owned steel company and the strategic aluminum sector, thereby reassuring domestic and international investors of Venezuela's commitment to reform. The monetary and fiscal measures have been well received by the international financial community. As a result, financial analysts believe the economy will still grow at a healthy pace in 1998, though they have lowered their initial projections for GDP growth due to the soft oil market.

Electricity-capacity

18.975 million kW (1995)

Electricity-consumption per capita

3,508 kWh (1995)

Electricity-production

74 billion kWh (1995)

Exchange rates

bolivares (Bs) per US$1-507.447 (January 1998), 488.635 (1997), 417.333 (1996), 176.843 (1995), 148.503 (1994), 90.826 (1993)

Exports

total value: $20.8 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: petroleum 78%, bauxite and aluminum, steel, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures partners: US and Puerto Rico 55%, Japan, Netherlands, Italy

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications

GDP

purchasing power parity-$185 billion (1997 est.)

GDP-composition by sector

agriculture: 4% industry: 63% services: 33% (1997 est.)

GDP-per capita

purchasing power parity-$8,300 (1997 est.)

GDP-real growth rate

5% (1997)

Imports

total value: $10.5 billion (f.o.b., 1996) commodities: raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials partners: US 40%, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Canada

Industrial production growth rate

0.5% (1995 est.)

Industries

petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly

Inflation rate-consumer price index

38% (1997)

Labor force

total: 9.2 million by occupation: services 64%, industry 23%, agriculture 13% (1997 est.)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 181, FM 0, shortwave 26

Radios

9.04 million (1992 est.)

Telephone system

modern and expanding domestic: domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; satellite earth station-1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean)

Telephones

1.44 million (1987 est.)

Television broadcast stations

59

Televisions

3.3 million (1992 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.5% (1997 est.)

Airports

377 (1997 est.) Airports-with paved runways: total: 126 over 3,047 m: 5 2,438 to 3,047 m: 10 1,524 to 2,437 m: 35 914 to 1,523 m: 61 under 914 m: 15 (1997 est.) Airports-with unpaved runways: total: 251 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 96 under 914 m: 147 (1997 est.)

Highways

total: 84,300 km paved: 33,214 km unpaved: 51,086 km (1996 est.)

Merchant marine

total: 28 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 526,832 GRT/933,135 DWT ships by type: bulk 4, cargo 5, combination bulk 1, container 1, liquefied gas tanker 2, oil tanker 9, passenger-cargo 1, roll-on/roll-off cargo 4, short-sea passenger 1 (1997 est.)

Pipelines

crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 km Ports and harbors: Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon

Railways

total: 584 km (336 km single track; 248 km privately owned) standard gauge: 584 km 1.435-m gauge

Waterways

7,100 km; Rio Orinoco and Lago de Maracaibo accept oceangoing vessels

Military branches

National Armed Forces (Fuerzas Armadas Nacionales or FAN) includes Ground Forces or Army (Fuerzas Terrestres or Ejercito), Naval Forces (Fuerzas Navales or Armada), Air Force (Fuerzas Aereas or Aviacion), Armed Forces of Cooperation or National Guard (Fuerzas Armadas de Cooperacion or Guardia Nacional)

Military expenditures-dollar figure

$902 million (1996)

Military expenditures-percent of GDP

1.4% (1996)

Military manpower-availability

males age 15-49: 6,134,691 (1998 est.) Military manpower-fit for military service: males: 4,429,265 (1998 est.)

Military manpower-military age

18 years of age

Military manpower-reaching military age annually

males: 240,506 (1998 est.)

Disputes-international

claims all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River; maritime boundary dispute with Colombia in the Gulf of Venezuela

Illicit drugs

illicit producer of cannabis, opium, and coca leaf for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine and heroin transit the country from Colombia; important money-laundering hub; active eradication program primarily targeting opium