Venezuela

Venezuela Capital: Caracas President: Nicolás Maduro (2013) Population: 28,047,938 Current: Bolivar Languages: Spanish (official) Religion: Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%

History Spanish explorer gave the country its name, meaning “Little Venice.” Caracas was founded in 1567. Simón Bolívar, who led the liberation from Spain, was born in Caracas in 1783. Venezuela was one of the first South American colonies to revolt in 1810, winning independence in 1821. Federated at first with Colombia and Ecuador as the Republic of Greater Colombia.

History Gen. Juan Vicente Gómez was dictator from 1908 to 1935, when Venezuela became a major oil exporter. Leftist president Hugo Chavez took office in 1999. Chavez was reelected to a six-year term in July 2000. Troops were called in to quell serious protests over the election in several cities.

History In December 2012, Chavez informed the nation on television that he needed another operation for cancer. Before the surgery, he named Nicolas Maduro, the vice president, his successor should Chavez be unable to lead his country in the future.

Geography Venezuela, a third larger than Texas, occupies most of the northern coast of South America on the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south.

Geography Mountain systems break Venezuela into four distinct areas: The Maracaibo lowlands The mountainous region in the north and northwest The Orinoco basin, with the llanos (vast grass-covered plains) on its northern border and great forest areas in the south and southeast The Guiana Highlands, south of the Orinoco, accounting for nearly half the national territory.

Fun Facts: Caracas is the capital and largest city of Venezuela. Baseball is the most popular sport in the country. Venezuela has 43 national parks. It snows in the Venezuelan Andes though the country is in a tropical region.

Fun Facts: Some of the largest reserves of natural gas and oil in the world are found in Venezuela. Pico Bolivar is the highest mountain and Angel Falls is the highest waterfall found in Venezuela.

Fun Facts: The country supports a large amount of animal and plant life.

Food: Venezuelan food is both tropical and Andean, with European infuences (especially Italian) as well as traditional dishes from native cultures. Pabellon criollo is the traditional beans and rice dish of Venezuela. Black beans and rice are accompanied by tender slices of flank steak that have been cooked with tomatoes.

Food: Perico is a savory Venezuelan breakfast dish of scrambled eggs seasoned with sautéed onions, tomatoes, and peppers. It's often served inside arepas (a Venezuelan egg mcmuffin of sorts). Pasticho is an delicious version of lasagna that is very popular in Venezuela.

Famous people: Baseball player Miguel Cabrera: MLB third baseman who won the American League Triple Crown in 2012. Pablo Sandoval: Venezuelan MLB third baseman who was named World Series MVP for the San Francisco Giants in 2012. Elvis Andrus: MLB shortstop who was named to two All Star teams in 2010 and 2012.