2012 Edition

Background

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, seeks to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking capitalist globalization and existing democratic institutions. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, rampant violent crime, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

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 mil

a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, rampant violent crime, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.

Area

912,050 sq km 882,050 sq km 30,000 sq km

total

912,050 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

Caribbean Sea 0 m Pico Bolivar 5,007 m

highest point

Pico Bolivar 5,007 m

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 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; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations

Environment - international agreements

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands

signed but not ratified

: none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

8.37 cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%) 313 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

313 cu m/yr (2000)

total

8.37 cu km/yr (6%/7%/47%)

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 66 00 W

Geography - note

on major sea and air routes linking North and South America; Angel Falls in the Guiana Highlands is the world's highest waterfall

Irrigated land

5,800 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

4,993 km Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

border countries

Brazil 2,200 km, Colombia 2,050 km, Guyana 743 km

total

4,993 km

Land use

2.85% 0.88% 96.27% (2005)

arable land

2.85%

other

96.27% (2005)

permanent crops

0.88%

Location

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

Map references

South America

Maritime claims

12 nm 15 nm 200 nm 200 m depth or to the depth of exploitation

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, mudslides; 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

Total renewable water resources

1,233.2 cu km (2000)

Age structure

29% (male 4,147,023/ female 3,995,375) 65.4% (male 9,025,781/ female 9,311,262) 5.6% (male 692,321/ female 876,176) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

29% (male 4,147,023/ female 3,995,375)

15-64 years

65.4% (male 9,025,781/ female 9,311,262)

65 years and over

5.6% (male 692,321/ female 876,176) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

19.88 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

3.7% (2007)

Death rate

5.2 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Demographic profile

Although poverty in Venezuela has declined during the CHAVEZ administration, dropping from nearly 50% in 1999 to about 27% in 2011, it remains high and some experts question how much of a role social expenditures have played in this poverty reduction. Progress in lowering poverty, income inequality, and unemployment may in fact be more closely linked to the rise and fall of prices for oil, Venezuela's dominant export. In the long-run, education and healthcare spending may increase economic growth and reduce income inequality, but rising costs and the staffing of new healthcare jobs with foreigners are slowing development. In the meantime, social investment has led to better living standards, including increased school enrollment, a substantial reduction in infant and child mortality, and greater access to potable water and sanitation. Since CHAVEZ came to power in 1999, more than a million predominantly middle- and upper-class Venezuelans are estimated to have emigrated. The brain drain is attributed to a repressive political system, lack of economic opportunities, steep inflation, a high crime rate, and corruption. Thousands of oil engineers emigrated to Canada, Colombia, and the United States following Chavez's firing of over 20,000 employees of the state-owned petroleum company during a 2002-2003 oil strike. Additionally, thousands of Venezuelans of European descent have taken up residence in their ancestral homelands. Nevertheless, Venezuela continues to attract immigrants from South America and southern Europe because of its lenient migration policy and the availability of education and healthcare. Venezuela also has been a fairly accommodating host to more than 200,000 Colombian refugees.

Education expenditures

3.7% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA; note - no country specific models provided

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

1.3 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

20.18 deaths/1,000 live births 23.65 deaths/1,000 live births 16.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

16.54 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

20.18 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Life expectancy at birth

74.08 years 70.98 years 77.34 years (2012 est.)

female

77.34 years (2012 est.)

total population

74.08 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 93% 93.3% 92.7% (2001 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.7% (2001 census)

male

93.3%

total population

93%

Major cities - population

CARACAS (capital) 3.051 million; Maracaibo 2.153 million; Valencia 1.738 million; Barquisimeto 1.159 million; Maracay 1.04 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial diarrhea dengue fever and malaria (2009)

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea

vectorborne disease

dengue fever and malaria (2009)

Maternal mortality rate

92 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

26.3 years 25.6 years 27.1 years (2012 est.)

female

27.1 years (2012 est.)

male

25.6 years

total

26.3 years

Nationality

Venezuelan(s) Venezuelan

adjective

Venezuelan

noun

Venezuelan(s)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

1.94 physicians/1,000 population (2001)

Population

28,047,938 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.468% (2012 est.)

Religions

nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 93% of population rural: 54% of population total: 89% of population urban: 7% of population rural: 46% of population total: 11% of population

rural

46% of population

total

11% of population

urban

7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

14 years 13 years 15 years (2008)

female

15 years (2008)

male

13 years

total

14 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.79 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.4 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

13.6% 12.3% 15.9% (2008)

female

15.9% (2008)

total

13.6%

Urbanization

93% of total population (2010) 1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

93% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Caracas 10 29 N, 66 52 W UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

10 29 N, 66 52 W

name

Caracas

time difference

UTC-4.5 (half an hour ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

30 December 1999; amended 15 February 2009

Country name

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Venezuela Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela Venezuela

conventional long form

Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

conventional short form

Venezuela

local long form

Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela

local short form

Venezuela

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James M. DERHAM Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 [58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours) [58] (212) 907-8199

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires James M. DERHAM

embassy

Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080

FAX

[58] (212) 907-8199

mailing address

P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037

telephone

[58] (212) 975-6411, 907-8400 (after hours)

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angelo RIVERO Santos 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 342-2214 [1] (202) 342-6820 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami (administratively closed), New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

chancery

1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Angelo RIVERO Santos

consulate(s) general

Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami (administratively closed), New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico)

FAX

[1] (202) 342-6820

telephone

[1] (202) 342-2214

Executive branch

President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 2 February 1999); Executive Vice President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 13 October 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 2 February 1999); Executive Vice President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 13 October 2012) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for unlimited reelection); election last held on 7 October 2012 (next election expected to be held in October 2018 pending official convocation by the country's electoral body) in 1999, a National Constituent Assembly drafted a new constitution that increased the presidential term to six years; an election was subsequently held on 30 July 2000 under the terms of this constitution; in 2009, a national referendum approved the elimination of term limits on all elected officials, including the presidency Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 55.07%, Henrique CAPRILES Radonski 44.31%, other 0.62%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 2 February 1999); Executive Vice President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 13 October 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Hugo CHAVEZ Frias reelected president; percent of vote - Hugo CHAVEZ Frias 55.07%, Henrique CAPRILES Radonski 44.31%, other 0.62%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a six-year term (eligible for unlimited reelection); election last held on 7 October 2012 (next election expected to be held in October 2018 pending official convocation by the country's electoral body)

head of government

President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 2 February 1999); Executive Vice President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 13 October 2012)

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 eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band; the flag retains the three equal horizontal bands and three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; yellow is interpreted as standing for the riches of the land, blue for the courage of its people, and red for the blood shed in attaining independence; the seven stars on the original flag represented the seven provinces in Venezuela that united in the war of independence; in 2006, President Hugo CHAVEZ ordered an eighth star added to the star arc - a decision that sparked much controversy - to conform with the flag proclaimed by Simon Bolivar in 1827 and to represent the province of Guayana

Government type

federal republic

Independence

5 July 1811 (from Spain)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; state party to the ICCT

International organization participation

Caricom (observer), CD, CDB, CELAC, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAES, LAIA, LAS (observer), Mercosur, MIGA, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, Petrocaribe, UN, UNASUR, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (32 magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)

Legal system

civil law system based on the Spanish civil code

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela) last held on 26 September 2010 (next to be held in 2015) percent of vote by party - pro-government 48.9%, opposition coalition 47.9%, other 3.2%; seats by party - pro-government 98, opposition 65, other 2

election results

percent of vote by party - pro-government 48.9%, opposition coalition 47.9%, other 3.2%; seats by party - pro-government 98, opposition 65, other 2

elections

last held on 26 September 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

"Gloria al bravo pueblo" (Glory to the Brave People) Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA adopted 1881; the lyrics were written in 1810, the music some years later; both SALIAS and LANDAETA were executed in 1814 during Venezuela's struggle for independence

lyrics/music

Vicente SALIAS/Juan Jose LANDAETA

name

"Gloria al bravo pueblo" (Glory to the Brave People)

National holiday

Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

National symbol(s)

troupial (bird)

Political parties and leaders

A New Time or UNT [Omar BARBOZA]; Brave People's Alliance or ABP [Antonio LEDEZMA]; Christian Democrats or COPEI [Roberto ENRIQUEZ]; Communist Party of Venezuela or PCV [Oscar FIGUERA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS ALLUP]; Fatherland for All or PPT [Rafael UZCATEGUI]; For Social Democracy or PODEMOS [Ismael GARCIA]; Justice First [Julio BORGES]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Nicolas SOSA]; Popular Will or VP [Leopoldo LOPEZ]; Progressive Wave or AP [Henri FALCON]; The Democratic Unity Table or MUD [Ramon Guillermo AVELEDO]; The Radical Cause [Daniel SANTOLO]; United Socialist Party of Venezuela or PSUV [Hugo CHAVEZ]; Venezuelan Progressive Movement or MPV [Simon CALZADILLA]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS ROMER]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Bolivarian and Socialist Workers' Union (a ruling party labor union); Confederacion Venezolana de Industriales or Coindustria (a conservative business group); Consejos Comunales (pro-Chavez local cooperatives); FEDECAMARAS (a conservative business group); Union of Oil Workers of Venezuela or FUTPV; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (opposition-oriented labor organization); various civil society groups and human rights organizations

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$116.3 billion $175.3 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$175.3 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$116.3 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-17.5% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

29.5% (31 December 2010) 29.5% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

16.5% (31 December 2012 est.) 17.15% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

$20.6 billion (2012 est.) $27.21 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$63.74 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $89.6 billion (30 September 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

39 (2011) 49.5 (1998)

Economy - overview

Venezuela remains highly dependent on oil revenues, which account for roughly 95% of export earnings, about 45% of federal budget revenues, and around 12% of GDP. Fueled by high oil prices, record government spending helped to boost GDP growth by 4.2% in 2011, after a sharp drop in oil prices caused an economic contraction in 2009-10. Government spending, minimum wage hikes, and improved access to domestic credit created an increase in consumption which combined with supply problems to cause higher inflation - roughly 26% in 2011 and 21% in 2012. President Hugo CHAVEZ's efforts to increase the government's control of the economy by nationalizing firms in the agribusiness, financial, construction, oil, and steel sectors have hurt the private investment environment, reduced productive capacity, and slowed non-petroleum exports. In the first half of 2010 Venezuela faced the prospect of lengthy nationwide blackouts when its main hydroelectric power plant - which provides more than 35% of the country's electricity - nearly shut down. In May 2010, CHAVEZ closed the unofficial foreign exchange market - the "parallel market" - in an effort to stem inflation and slow the currency's depreciation. In June 2010, the government created the "Transaction System for Foreign Currency Denominated Securities" to replace the "parallel" market. In December 2010, CHAVEZ eliminated the dual exchange rate system and unified the exchange rate at 4.3 bolivars per dollar. In January 2011, CHAVEZ announced the second devaluation of the bolivar within twelve months. In December 2010, the National Assembly passed a package of five organic laws designed to complete the transformation of the Venezuelan economy in line with CHAVEZ's vision of 21st century socialism. In 2012, Venezuela continued to wrestle with a housing crisis, high inflation, an electricity crisis, and rolling food and goods shortages - all of which were fallout from the government's unorthodox economic policies. The budget deficit for the entire government reached 17% of GDP in 2012, and public debt as a percent of GDP climbed steeply to 49%, despite record oil prices.

Exchange rates

bolivars (VEB) per US dollar - 4.289 (2012 est.) 4.289 (2011 est.) 2.5821 (2010 est.) 2.147 (2009) 2.147 (2008)

Exports

$96.9 billion (2012 est.) $92.6 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

petroleum, bauxite and aluminum, minerals, chemicals, agricultural products, basic manufactures

Exports - partners

US 40.2%, China 10.5%, India 5.5%, Cuba 4% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

3.7% 35.3% 61.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

3.7%

industry

35.3%

services

61.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$13,200 (2012 est.) $12,800 (2011 est.) $12,500 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.7% (2012 est.) 4.2% (2011 est.) -1.5% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$338 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$402.1 billion (2012 est.) $380.2 billion (2011 est.) $364.9 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

1.7% 32.7% (2006)

highest 10%

32.7% (2006)

lowest 10%

1.7%

Imports

$56.69 billion (2012 est.) $46.44 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

agricultural products, livestock, raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, iron and steel products

Imports - partners

US 28.6%, China 15.1%, Brazil 10.6% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

3.4% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

20.9% (2012 est.) 26.1% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

19.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

13.7 million (2012 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

7.3% 21.8% 70.9% (4th quarter, 2011 est.)

agriculture

7.3%

industry

21.8%

services

70.9% (4th quarter, 2011 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$5.143 billion (31 December 2011) $3.991 billion (31 December 2010) $8.86 billion (31 December 2010)

Population below poverty line

31.6% (2011 est.)

Public debt

49% of GDP (2012 est.) 29% of GDP (2011 est.) data cover central government debt, as well as the debt of state-owned oil company PDVSA; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include some debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; some debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions.

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$25.23 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $29.89 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$188.2 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $115.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$21.95 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $19.81 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$49.6 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $45.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$176.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $92.82 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$175.7 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $110.8 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

34.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

8% (2012 est.) 8.2% (2011 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

158.4 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

1.691 million bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

2.453 million bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

209.4 billion bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

85.85 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Electricity - exports

633 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

41.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

58.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

260 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

24.85 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

123.1 billion kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

33.1 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

1.446 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

31.2 billion cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.524 trillion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

755,400 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

627,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

116,400 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.176 million bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

government supervises a mixture of state-run and private broadcast media; 1 state-run TV network, 4 privately-owned TV networks, a privately-owned news channel with limited national coverage, and a government-backed pan-American channel; state-run radio network includes 65 news stations and roughly another 30 stations targeted at specific audiences; state-sponsored community broadcasters include 244 radio stations and 36 TV stations; the number of private broadcast radio stations has been declining, but many still remain in operation (2010)

Internet country code

.ve

Internet hosts

1.016 million (2012)

Internet users

8.918 million (2009)

Telephone system

modern and expanding domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services; combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 130 per 100 persons country code - 58; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network; constructing submarine cable to provide connectivity to Cuba with an estimated date of completion in late 2011 (2010)

domestic

domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations; recent substantial improvement in telephone service in rural areas; substantial increase in digitalization of exchanges and trunk lines; installation of a national interurban fiber-optic network capable of digital multimedia services; combined fixed and mobile-cellular telephone subscribership 130 per 100 persons

general assessment

modern and expanding

international

country code - 58; submarine cable systems provide connectivity to the Caribbean, Central and South America, and US; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 PanAmSat; participating with Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia in the construction of an international fiber-optic network; constructing submarine cable to provide connectivity to Cuba with an estimated date of completion in late 2011 (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

7.332 million (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

28.782 million (2011)

Airports

492 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

17 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

35

2,438 to 3,047 m

9

914 to 1,523 m

61

over 3,047 m

6

total

128

under 914 m

17 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

193 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

55

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

113

total

364

under 914 m

193 (2012)

Heliports

3 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 4, cargo 12, chemical tanker 1, liquefied gas 5, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 14, petroleum tanker 16 9 (Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 4, Mexico 1, Spain 1) 14 (Panama 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

foreign-owned

9 (Denmark 1, Estonia 1, Germany 1, Greece 4, Mexico 1, Spain 1)

registered in other countries

14 (Panama 13, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1) (2010)

total

53

Pipelines

extra heavy crude 980 km; gas 5,347 km; oil 6,694 km; refined products 1,620 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

La Guaira, Maracaibo, Puerto Cabello, Punta Cardon Jose terminal

oil terminals

Jose terminal

Railways

806 km 806 km 1.435-m gauge (41 km electrified) (2008)

total

806 km

Roadways

96,155 km 32,308 km 63,847 km (2002)

total

96,155 km

unpaved

63,847 km (2002)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Caribbean Sea as a significant risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous vessels, including commercial shipping and pleasure craft, have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; crews have been robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Waterways

7,100 km (the Orinoco River (400 km) and Lake de Maracaibo are navigable by oceangoing vessels) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

7,013,854 7,165,661 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

7,165,661 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,013,854

Manpower fit for military service

5,614,743 6,074,834 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,074,834 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

5,614,743

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

277,210 273,353 (2010 est.)

female

273,353 (2010 est.)

male

277,210

Military branches

Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB): Bolivarian National Army (Ejercito Nacional Bolivariano, ENB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB; includes Naval Infantry, Coast Guard, Naval Aviation), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB) (2011)

Bolivarian National Armed Forces (Fuerza Armada Nacional Bolivariana, FANB)

Bolivarian National Army (Ejercito Nacional Bolivariano, ENB), Bolivarian Navy (Armada Bolivariana, AB; includes Naval Infantry, Coast Guard, Naval Aviation), Bolivarian Military Aviation (Aviacion Militar Bolivariana, AMB), Bolivarian National Guard (Guardia Nacional Bolivaria, GNB) (2011)

Military expenditures

1.2% of GDP (2005 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18-30 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; 30-month conscript service obligation; Navy requires 6th-grade education for enlisted personnel; all citizens of military service age (18-60 years old) are obligated to register for military service (2011)

Disputes - international

claims all of the area west of the Essequibo River in Guyana, preventing any discussion of a maritime boundary; Guyana has expressed its intention to join Barbados in asserting claims before the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea that Trinidad and Tobago's maritime boundary with Venezuela extends into their waters; dispute with Colombia over maritime boundary and Venezuelan administered Los Monjes islands near the Gulf of Venezuela; Colombian organized illegal narcotics and paramilitary activities penetrate Venezuela's shared border region; in 2006, an estimated 139,000 Colombians sought protection in 150 communities along the border in Venezuela; US, France, and the Netherlands recognize Venezuela's granting full effect to Aves Island, thereby claiming a Venezuelan Economic Exclusion Zone/continental shelf extending over a large portion of the eastern Caribbean Sea; Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines protest Venezuela's full effect claim

Illicit drugs

small-scale illicit producer of opium and coca for the processing of opiates and coca derivatives; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; significant narcotics-related money-laundering activity, especially along the border with Colombia and on Margarita Island; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border

Refugees and internally displaced persons

201,941 (Colombia) (2011)

refugees (country of origin)

201,941 (Colombia) (2011)

Trafficking in persons

Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation's interior to urban and tourist areas; to a lesser extent, Brazilian women and Colombian women are subjected to forced prostitution; some Venezuelan women are transported to Caribbean islands, particularly Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad & Tobago, where they are subjected to forced prostitution Tier 3 - the government investigated potential cases of suspected human trafficking and arrested at least 12 people for trafficking crimes during the reporting period; however, there was no further publicly available information regarding those cases; Venezuela is not making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking (2008)

current situation

Venezuela is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor; Venezuelan women and girls are trafficked within the country for sexual exploitation, lured from the nation's interior to urban and tourist areas; to a lesser extent, Brazilian women and Colombian women are subjected to forced prostitution; some Venezuelan women are transported to Caribbean islands, particularly Aruba, Curacao, and Trinidad & Tobago, where they are subjected to forced prostitution

tier rating

Tier 3 - the government investigated potential cases of suspected human trafficking and arrested at least 12 people for trafficking crimes during the reporting period; however, there was no further publicly available information regarding those cases; Venezuela is not making significant efforts to comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking (2008)