FLAGFLAG *Venezuelan Flag indicates the overall background is Red, blue and yellow. *The Venezuelan flag description is three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with an arc of seven white five- pointed stars centered in the blue band. *The seven stars were added in 1836 and represent the seven provinces that supported Venezuela's independence in 1830 Yellow - a symbol of generosity Red - hardiness, bravery, strength & valour Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice

CULTURE PREDOMINANT RELIGION Venezuelans are constitutionally guaranteed freedom of religion provided that a faith is not contrary to public order or good custom. According to the latest government statistics in 2001, an estimated 70% of the population are Roman Catholic. Protestants constitute 29%, and the remaining 1% profess other religions or are atheists. Of the other religions, there are small but influential Muslim and Jewish communities. Caracas, the capital city, has a large mosque. MUSIC From drumming with its roots in Africa, to Spanish-influenced guitar and harp music and the indigenous contribution of maracas, Venezuelan music is largely unknown outside the country. With a blog based on videos of key groups and individuals I hope this music will reach a wider public and get the attention it deserves. Joropo, calypso, tambores, salsa, cumbia, pop, rock, Latin jazz, electronica - even slushy love songs by soap opera stars - Venezuela has it all.

CULTURE HOLIDAYS New Year's Day or Año Nuevo is celebrated every year on 1st January and it ushers a brand new year. 2nd February is Virgen de la Candelaria and it is a national holiday. The much-loved festival of Carnival occurs sometime in February or March. The date changes every year. Holy Week or Semana Santa is celebrated either in March or April. 1st May is Labor Day or Dia de los Trabajadores. 19th April is great day for all Venezuelans as it is the Declaration of Independence Day and it commemorates the freedom movement. In Caracas, La Cruz de Mayo is observed in May or June and Los Tambores de San Juan is celebrated in the month of June. 24th June is observed as Batalla de Carabobo or the Battle of Carabobo, while 24th July is also the birthday of Simon Bolivar. 5th July is Independence Day or Dia de la Independencia, while 12th October is celebrated as Columbus Day (Dia de la Raza). 25th December is celebrated with great pomp as Christmas Day in the entire country. ETHIC MAKE-UP The population of Venezuela is 20.2 Million with an ethnic makeup of 70 percent mestizo, and the rest – Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, and African. Only 2 percent of the population is pure- blooded Amerindian. The capital of Caracas, has approximately 3.2 Million people within its city limits. Venezuela is a federal multiparty republic, with a president who is both chief of state and head of government. The cabinet, or Council of Ministers, has twenty-six members. There is a bicameral congress, composed of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, and the judiciary is represented by the Supreme Court. Elections are held every five years. The official language is Spanish. English and a variety of Amerindian dialects are spoken. There is no official religion, but the vast majority of people are Roman Catholic (96 percent).

Key Data Capital: Caracas Population Estimate: 28.5 Million Climate: It is almost always around 30 °C temperature, the main difference is the humidity. Language Spoken: Spanish Currency: Bolivar (VEB) Geography: Venezuela is a country in South America, and part of Caribbean South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia... Economy: The economy of Venezuela is largely based on the petroleum sector and manufacturing Agriculture: Venezuela has a much smaller share of the economy than in any other Latin American country. From the discovery of oil in Venezuela in the early... Principal Exports: 60 percent of its aluminum which, after oil, brought in the most foreign dollars.