By: Takierra Taylor and Sedan Washington

FLAG*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 1830Yellow - a symbol of generosityRed - hardiness, bravery, strength & valourBlue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice

CULTUREPREDOMINANT 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.