🌍 Geography
Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana
Area & Boundaries
Total Area
916,445 km²
Land Area
882,050 km²
Water Area
34,395 km²
World Rank by Area
#33
Land Boundaries
4,993 km
Coastline
2,183 km
Bordering Countries
Colombia (2,219 km)
Brazil (1,819 km)
Guyana (789 km)
Terrain & Climate
Terrain: Andes Mountains in northwest; Caribbean coastal plains; Orinoco River basin in south; Guiana Highlands in southeast
Climate: Tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands; rainy season May to November
Elevation
Highest Point
Pico Espejo: 4,978m
Lowest Point
Caribbean Sea: 0m
Mean Elevation
450m
Major Rivers
- Orinoco River: 2,140 km
- Caroní River: 920 km
- Apure River: 822 km
Natural Resources
petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, bauxite, iron ore, gold, copper, other minerals
👥 Demographics
Population Overview
Total Population (2024)
28,436,992
World Rank
#49
Growth Rate
-1.32%
Urbanization
88.3%
Age & Life Expectancy
Median Age
29.2 years
Life Expectancy
71.5 years
Birth Rate
17.2 per 1,000
Death Rate
6.5 per 1,000
Major Urban Areas
- Caracas: 3,280,000 people
- Maracaibo: 2,500,000 people
- Valencia: 1,700,000 people
- Barquisimeto: 1,300,000 people
- Ciudad Guayana: 800,000 people
Languages
- Spanish (Official) - 98.2% - National language
- Indigenous languages - 1.8% - Including Wayuu, Piaroa, Yanomami, among others
Education
Literacy Rate: 97.1% (Male: 97.2%, Female: 97%)
💼 Economy
Venezuela has the world's largest proven crude oil reserves but has suffered severe economic contraction due to overdependence on oil exports, mismanagement, corruption, and international sanctions. The economy experienced hyperinflation and currency collapse leading to widespread poverty and humanitarian crisis. As of 2024, Venezuela is working to stabilize its currency (redenomination of bolívar) and attract foreign investment in petroleum and mining sectors, though structural challenges remain significant.
GDP & Economic Indicators
GDP (PPP)
$485.00 billion
GDP (Official Rate)
$31.00 billion
GDP per Capita (PPP)
$17,050
World GDP Rank
#31
GDP Growth Rate
0.2%
Unemployment Rate
10.5%
Inflation Rate
52.3%
Public Debt (% of GDP)
185.5%
GDP Composition by Sector
Agriculture
3.9%
Industry
32.8%
Services
63.3%
Major Industries
petroleum and petroleum products, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, agriculture, steel, aluminum
Trade
Exports
$33.70 billion
Imports
$18.45 billion
Foreign Exchange Reserves
$25.64 billion
Currency
Bolívar (VES)
🏛️ Government
Government Type
Federal presidential republic
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal and compulsory
Executive Branch
Chief of State: President Nicolás Maduro Moros (since January 10, 2019; disputed, with opposition leader claiming legitimacy)
Head of Government: President Nicolás Maduro Moros
Term Limit: May serve maximum of 2 consecutive terms and unlimited non-consecutive terms
Legislative Branch
Unicameral National Assembly or Asamblea Nacional (277 seats as of 2024; members elected by popular vote for 5-year terms)
National Holiday
Independence Day, July 5
📈 Social Indicators
Human Development Index
0.711 (Rank: #115)
Physicians
1.9 per 1,000
Hospital Beds
0.8 per 1,000
Health Expenditure
3.2% of GDP
Education Expenditure
4.8% of GDP
🎨 Cultural Heritage
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
3
UNESCO Intangible Heritage
4
Notable Sites
- Canaima National Park (includes Angel Falls - world's highest uninterrupted waterfall at 979m)
- Los Llanos (grasslands with unique biodiversity)
- Margarita Island
- Mérida Cable Car (Teleférico) - world's highest and longest cable car system when operational
- Cathedral of Coro
- Historic City of Coro and its Port
Major Museums
- Museum of Contemporary Art (Museo de Arte Contemporáneo)
- Museum of Fine Arts (Museo de Bellas Artes)
- Bolivar Museum (Museo Bolivariano)
- Museum of Natural History (Museo de Ciencias Naturales)
- Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Precolombino)
🌐 International Relations
International Memberships
ALBA (Bolivarian Alliance)
OPEC
MERCOSUR (suspended 2016-2023, reinstatement 2023)
UN
UNASUR
Non-Aligned Movement
OAS (participation limited)
CELAC
WTO (member)