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Venezuela

Introduction to Venezuela

Venezuela was one of 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: an embattled president, a divided military, 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.

Government

Capital:

Caracas 

Independence:

5 July 1811 (from Spain) 

National holiday:

Independence Day, 5 July (1811) 

Economy

Economy overview:

Venezuela continues to be highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for roughly one-third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Despite higher oil prices at the end of 2002 and into 2003, domestic political instability, culminating in a disastrous two-month national oil strike from December 2002 to February 2003, temporarily halted economic activity. The economy remained in depression in 2003, declining by 9.2% after an 8.9% fall in 2002. In late 2003, President CHAVEZ committed himself to id=mce_marker billion in new social programs, money the government does not have. 

GDP:

purchasing power parity -$117.9 billion (2004 est.) 

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 5%
industry: 50%
services: 45% (2004 est.)

Agriculture products:

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

Industries:

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

Transportation

Waterways:

7,100 km
note: Orinoco River and Lake de Maracaibo navigable by oceangoing vessels, Orinoco for 400 km (2004)

Pipelines:

extra heavy crude 992 km; gas 5,262 km; oil 7,484 km; refined products 1,681 km; unknown (oil/water) 141 km (2003)

Ports and harbors:

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

Merchant marine:

total: 48 ships (1,000 GRT or over) 740,919 GRT/1,191,483 DWT
registered in other countries: 4 (2003 est.)
foreign-owned: Belgium 1, Denmark 2, Greece 2, Spain 1, United States 2
by type: bulk 6, cargo 7, container 2, liquefied gas 5, multi-functional large load carrier 1, passenger 1, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 16, roll on/roll off 8, short-sea/passenger 1

Airports:

368 (2003 est.)