Venezuelas

Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country located on the northern coast of South America. It shares borders with Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the east, while its northern boundary lies along the Caribbean Sea. The nation encompasses a diverse range of geographical features, including the Andes mountain range, extensive plains known as the Llanos, and the Amazon rainforest, as well as oil‑rich coastal lowlands. The capital, Caracas, sits in a valley surrounded by mountainous terrain.

With an estimated population of over 28 million people, Venezuela is a multicultural society composed primarily of mestizo, white, and Afro‑descendant groups. Spanish is the official language, and the predominant religion is Roman Catholicism, though other Christian denominations and indigenous beliefs are present. The country’s economy has historically depended on petroleum; it possesses some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves and from the early 20th century became a major oil exporter. Fluctuations in global oil prices, combined with political and economic policies, have contributed to periods of inflation, shortages, and migration.

Since the late 1990s, Venezuela has been governed under a socialist-oriented system led by the United Socialist Party of Venezuela. The political landscape has been marked by contested elections, civil unrest, and international sanctions. Social programs financed by oil revenues have sought to reduce poverty and expand education and healthcare, though recent crises have strained these services. Culturally, Venezuela is noted for its music, including genres such as joropo, its vibrant festivals, and its achievements in sports, particularly baseball and boxing. The nation continues to navigate complex challenges while maintaining a distinct national identity within the Latin American region.