Venezuela By: Rachel Shanton

Venezuela Bolivarian Republic of

Venezuela Located: South

America Capital: Caracas Area total: 912,050 sq

km (slightly more than twice the size of California) country comparison to

the world: 33

Languages Main Language: Spanish Constitution Recognizes over 30 different

Languages English (taught in most schools) Portuguese (mostly near the border of Brazil) Italian French Latin Greek A few others include: Wayuu, Warao, Pemon,

Mapoyo, Panare, Puinave, Yarbarana, Yaruro.

Languages Broken Down

Traditional Attire Men, Women, and Children wear

suits called “Liqui Liqui.” Started with Colonial-Era Soldiers Famous people wear them for

weddings.

Modern Day Attire Known as a

“fashionable” country for both men and women.

Wear Jeans, Nice Tops, and Fancy Shoes.

Parties and gatherings are not too fancy but women wear clothes to show off their best features.

Gift Giving Etiquette If you are invited to a

dinner party: Send Flowers (orchids) Do NOT give

handkerchiefs they are considered bad luck.

Gifts are opened when received.

ALWAYS send hand written notes because it makes you look like a person with more class.

Government Government: Federal Republic Legal System: Civil Law System based on

the Spanish Civil Code. Executive Branch: chief of state: President

Hugo CHAVEZ Frias (since 2 February 1999); Executive Vice President Nicolas MADURO Moros (since 13 October 2012); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government.

Government elections: president elected by popular vote for a six-

year term (eligible for unlimited reelection); election last held on 7 October 2012 (next election expected to be held in October 2018 pending official)

Legislative: unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (165 seats; members elected by popular vote on a proportional basis to serve five-year terms; three seats reserved for the indigenous peoples of Venezuela)

Judicial: Supreme Tribunal of Justice or Tribunal Supremo de Justicia (32 magistrates are elected by the National Assembly for a single 12-year term)

History 5 July 1811 (from Spain) Independence 1819: General Simon Bolivar defeats royalist forces

in the Battle of Boyaca on August 7. Republic of Colombia (also known as Gran Colombia) is proclaimed on December 17, consisting of Colombia, Venezuela, and Ecuador.

1821 Spain recognizes Venezuela's independence after Simon Bolivar wins a major victory against Spanish troops at Carabobo

Simon Bolivar established Gran Colombia and becomes the first president

History 1830 Ecuador and Venezuela leave Gran Colombia to became

totally independent 1831 General Jose Antonio Paez becomes the first president of

Venezuela 1800s Venezuela torn by civil war 1870 (1870-1888) Guzman Blanco rules Venezuela bringing the

civil wars to an end 1908 (1908-1935) Gomez rules Venezuela with strong military

backing 1950 Marcos Perez Jimenez becomes dictator 1958 Jimenez was forced into exile leading to the Venezuelan

democracy 1999 Venezuela adopted its current constitution

Climate Tropical Hot, Humid More moderate in highlands

Population 28,047,938 (July 2012 est.) Age Male/Female Ratio

0-14 years: 29% (male 4,147,023/ female 3,995,375)

15-64 years: 65.4% (male 9,025,781/ female 9,311,262)

65 years and over: 5.6% (male 692,321/ female 876,176) (2012 est.)

Population in comparison to the world: 45

Religion Roman Catholic 96% Protestant 2% Other 2%

Customs Food: Large Breakfast, Large Dinner (around

noontime), and small light supper in the evening.

Marriage: must marry someone of the opposite sex and have to be of legal age.

Greetings: are warm and friendly. People kiss business acquaintances on the cheek once and personal friends twice. Handshakes are common among strangers

Customs Body Language:

Venezuelans stand very close when speaking. Do not back away.

Seating posture is important. Try to keep both feet on the floor, and avoid slouching. Don't put your feet on furniture.

Casual touching is common among males.

The “ch-ch” sound is used to get someone's attention or to get a bus to stop.

The North American “O.K.” sign is extremely rude.

Pointing with your index finger can be considered rude. Motioning with your entire hand is more polite.

Always maintain eye contact when talking.

Dinner Etiquette If you are invited to a Venezuelan's House:

You should arrive 15-30 minutes late. If you arrive on time it shows you are too

eager, which can be considered greedy. You must dress conservatively, but have

elegant flair. (Smart casual dress is recommended) NEVER decline coffee. It is a symbol of

hospitality.

Laws Harsh Legal System

and prisons are some of the worst in the world.

Mimic United States Laws.

Different: Child car seats and

seatbelts are not required and are seldom available in rental cars and taxis.

Laws Restricted and not guaranteed by law. In 2011, disarmed 130,000 illegal weapons from

citizens. In 2011, Guns were banned from public

transportation, construction sites, and cultural and sporting events.

In February 2012, banned the sale of all firearms and ammunition to citizens.

In June 2012, a rule went into effect allowing the army, police, and security officers to legally buy weapons.

Food Venezuelan food is a very vibrant mix. Comes from native cultures but mostly has European

influence. (Italian) It is both tropical and Andean. Common Foods

Coconut Plantain Seafood Goat Corn Italian Pasta

Currency

Holidays Same as United States: New Years Eve, New Years,

Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Day, and Christmas Day. (Christian)

Different from United States: Jan 6: Three Wise Men Day (12 days after Christmas;

end’s Christmas season. Feb 11: Carnival (Day before Lent) March 19: St. Joseph’s Day (Celebrate husband of

Mary and foster dad of Jesus) April 19: Declaration of Independence May 1: Labor Day June 24: Carabobo Battle (Freed from Spanish Control)

Holidays (Continued)

July 5: Independence Day Aug 3: Flag’s Day (in honor of the day in 1806 that Francisco de Miranda first hoisted the future flag)Sep. 11: Our Lady of Coromoto (a celebrated Catholic image of an alleged apparition of the Virgin Mary). Nov 1: All Saints Day Nov 2: All Soul’s Day (Day of the Dead: celebrate those who have passed away) Dec 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Celebrates belief in the immaculate conception of the blessed virgin Mary.)

Gender Roles Men: occupy the most important political,

economic, social, and religious positions. Women: occupy the household duties or

domestic service jobs.

School Under 5: Attend Preschool Age 6- Age 11: Primary School Promoted to Second School that they attend

until 14 or 15. Public School students go in shifts. Early

morning- 1:30. Then early afternoon- 6:00. ***ALL SCHOOL CHILDREN WEAR

UNIFROMS*** English is taught in all grades.

Education Kindergarten: “Red Shirts” Grades 1-6 (Basic Education): “White Shirts” if completed

the students receive a basic education certificate. Grades 7-9 (Middle Education): “Blue Shirts” explore science

and algebra. Diversified Education: “Beige Shirts” choose between

humanities or science to study for 2 years. When done receive Bachelors or Science or Humanities.

Literacy: Venezuelans aged 15 and older, 95.2% can read and write, one

of the highest literacy rates in the region. The literacy rate in 2007 was estimated to be 95.4% for males and 94.9% for females

College 90 Institutions (860,000 students) Higher education remains free under the

1999 constitution. More than 70% of university students come

from the wealthiest quintile of the population.

Establish Bolivarian University system which requires minimal entrance scores.

Manufacturing/ Natural Resources

Natural Resources Petroleum (Largest reserves in the world) Natural Gas Iron Ore Coal Manufacturing: Petroleum Refining Mineral Processing Automobile Industry

Transportation **GAS IS ONLY $0.48 PER GALLON** Highways are common so there are many

cars. Boats because of the water sources. Big Cities have railway systems.

Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venezuela http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Venezuela http://hocacultures.blogspot.com/2012/04/culture-of-venezuela.html http://www.climate-zone.com/climate/venezuela/fahrenheit/

caracas.htm https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/

ve.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Venezuela http://images.google.com http://themoneyconverter.com/USD/VEF.aspx http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Venezuela

Sources http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/venezuela/ http://www.superpages.com/supertips/three-wise-men-day.html http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/venezuela/carnival-tuesday http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/94443/Battle-of-Carabobo http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/tp/

Venezuelan-Food.htm

http://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Venezuela.html#b http://www.ediplomat.com/np/cultural_etiquette/ce_ve.htm http://www.history-timelines.org.uk/places-timelines/42-

venezuelatimeline.htm http://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-gun-laws-latin-america%E2%

80%99s-six-largest-economies#venezuela