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Communications

Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]

16 (2000)

Internet country code [time series]

.ve

Internet users [time series]

400,000 (2000)

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 201, FM NA (20 in Caracas), shortwave 11 (1998)

Radios [time series]

10.75 million (1997)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: modern and expanding 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 international: 3 submarine coaxial cables; 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

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

2,600,000.00; however, 3,500,000 were installed (1998)

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

2 million (1998)

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

66 (plus 45 repeaters) (1997)

Televisions [time series]

4.1 million (1997)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

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

Budget [time series]

revenues: $26.4 billion expenditures: $27 billion, including capital expenditures of $NA (2000 est.)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

bolivar (VEB)

Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]

VEB

Debt - external [time series]

$34 billion (2000)

Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]

$35 million with more assistance likely as a result of flooding (1999)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Venezuelan officials estimate that GDP grew by 3.2% in 2000. A strong rebound in international oil prices fueled the recovery from the steep recession in 1999. Nevertheless, a weak nonoil sector and capital flight undercut the recovery. The bolivar is widely believed to be overvalued by as much as 50%. The government is still rebuilding after massive flooding and landslides in December 1999 caused an estimated $15 billion to $20 billion in damage.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

75.53 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - production [time series]

81.215 billion kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source [time series]

fossil fuel: 32.16% hydro: 67.84% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates [time series]

bolivares per US dollar - 699.700 (January 2001), 679.960 (2000), 605.717 (1999), 547.556 (1998), 488.635 (1997), 417.333 (1996)

Exports [time series]

$32.8 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Exports - commodities [time series]

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

Exports - partners [time series]

US and Puerto Rico 57%, Colombia, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Netherlands, Italy (1999)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $146.2 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 5% industry: 24% services: 71% (1999 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]

purchasing power parity - $6,200 (2000 est.)

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

3.2% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 1.5% highest 10%: 35.6% (1995)

Imports [time series]

$14.7 billion (f.o.b., 2000)

Imports - commodities [time series]

raw materials, machinery and equipment, transport equipment, construction materials

Imports - partners [time series]

US 53%, Japan, Colombia, Italy, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada (1999)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

13% (2000)

Labor force [time series]

9.9 million (1999)

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

services 64%, industry 23%, agriculture 13% (1997 est.)

Population below poverty line [time series]

67% (1997 est.)

Unemployment rate [time series]

14% (2000 est.)

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly more than twice the size of California

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands

Coastline [time series]

2,800 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, 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 [time series]

8 00 N, 66 00 W

Geography - note [time series]

on major sea and air routes linking North and South America

Irrigated land [time series]

1,900 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

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

Location [time series]

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

Map references [time series]

South America, Central America and the Caribbean

Maritime claims [time series]

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 [time series]

subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts

Natural resources [time series]

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

Terrain [time series]

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

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

23 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, Vargas, Yaracuy, Zulia note: the federal dependency consists of 11 federally controlled island groups with a total of 72 individual islands

Capital [time series]

Caracas

Constitution [time series]

30 December 1999

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Donna J. HRINAK embassy: Calle F con Calle Suapure, Urbanizacion Colinas de Valle Arriba, Caracas 1080 mailing address: P. O. Box 62291, Caracas 1060-A; APO AA 34037 telephone: [58] (2) 975-6411

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Alfredo TORO Hardy chancery: 1099 30th Street NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 342-2214

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Adina BASTIDAS Castillo; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 3 February 1999); Vice President Adina BASTIDAS Castillo; 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 six-year term; election last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2006) election results: Hugo CHAVEZ Frias elected president; percent of vote - 60% note: government coalition - Patriotic Pole or Polo Patriotico consists of MVR, MAS, and PPT

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[1] (202) 342-6820 consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[58] (2) 975-6710

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

federal republic

Independence [time series]

5 July 1811 (from Spain)

International organization participation [time series]

CAN, Caricom (observer), CCC, CDB, ECLAC, FAO, G- 3, 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, NAM, OAS, OPANAL, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, RG, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIKOM, UNU, UPU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

based on organic laws as of July 1999; open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional; 165 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela elections: last held 30 July 2000 (next to be held NA 2005) election results: Pro-government: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - MVR 92, MAS 6, indigenous 3, other parties 7;

National holiday [time series]

Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

Opposition [time series]

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - AD 33, COPEI 6, Justice First 5, other parties 13

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

Brave Peoples Alliance or ABP [leader NA]; Democratic Action or AD [Henry RAMOS Allup]; Fifth Republic Movement or MVR [leader Luis MIQUILENA]; Homeland for All or PPT [Pablo MEDINA]; Justice First [leader NA]; Movement Toward Socialism or MAS [Felipe MUJICA]; National Convergence or Convergencia [Dr. Rafael CALDERA Rodriguez]; Radical Cause or La Causa R [Andres VELASQUEZ]; Social Christian Party or COPEI [Jose CURIEL]; Venezuela Project or PV [Henrique SALAS Ronier]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

FEDECAMARAS, a conservative business group; VECINOS groups; Venezuelan Confederation of Workers or CTV (labor organization dominated by the Democratic Action)

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Venezuela was one of the 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: 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.

Military

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

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 [time series]

$934 million (FY99)

Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]

0.9% (FY99)

Military manpower - availability [time series]

males age 15-49: 6,524,809 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]

males age 15-49: 4,701,062 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age [time series]

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]

males: 246,185 (2001 est.)

People

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 32.11% (male 3,962,517; female 3,716,880) 15-64 years: 63.17% (male 7,581,589; female 7,526,467) 65 years and over: 4.72% (male 515,687; female 613,670) (2001 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

20.65 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate [time series]

4.92 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.49% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

2,000 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

62,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

25.37 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages [time series]

Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 73.31 years male: 70.29 years female: 76.56 years (2001 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Nationality [time series]

noun: Venezuelan(s) adjective: Venezuelan

Net migration rate [time series]

-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population [time series]

23,916,810 (July 2001 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.56% (2001 est.)

Religions [time series]

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

Sex ratio [time series]

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: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.46 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

illicit producer of opium for the international drug trade on a small scale; however, large quantities of cocaine, heroin, and marijuana transit the country from Colombia bound for US and Europe; important money-laundering center; active eradication program primarily targeting opium; increasing signs of drug-related activities by Colombian insurgents on border

Transportation

Airports [time series]

371 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 124 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 59 under 914 m: 17 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 247 1,524 to 2,437 m: 10 914 to 1,523 m: 97 under 914 m: 140 (2000 est.)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2000 est.)

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

total: 96,155 km paved: 32,308 km unpaved: 63,847 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 36 ships (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 490,160 GRT/897,694 DWT ships by type: bulk 7, cargo 10, liquefied gas 2, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 7, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea passenger 1 (2000 est.)

Pipelines [time series]

crude oil 6,370 km; petroleum products 480 km; natural gas 4,010 km

Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]

Amuay, Bajo Grande, El Tablazo, La Guaira, La Salina, Maracaibo, Matanzas, Palua, Puerto Cabello, Puerto la Cruz, Puerto Ordaz, Puerto Sucre, Punta Cardon

Railways [time series]

total: 584 km (248 km privately owned) standard gauge: 584 km 1.435-m gauge

Waterways [time series]

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