Venezuela had become one of the wealthiest and most rapidly changing countries on the continent. Income from petroleum exports enabled Venezuela to carry out huge industrial development and modernization programs. Venezuela lies on the north coast of South America along the Caribbean Sea. Mountain ranges extend across much northern Venezuela, which is the most densely populated region of the country. Caracas, the capital and largest city, lies in this region. Vast plains called the Llanos spread across central Venezuela. High plateaus and low mountains cover the south. Nearly all Venezuelans speak Spanish. Most of the people are descendants of Europeans, American Indians, and Africans who intermarried. The famous explorer Christopher Columbus landed in what is now Venezuela in 1498 on his third voyage to the New World. It was his landing on the mainland of Americas. Spain rules Venezuela for about three hundred years. In 1811, Venezuela declared its independence.
Roman Catholicism has long been the traditional religion in Venezuela, and most people are baptized Catholics. But it is not official religion, and the Constitution guarantee freedom of worship. Venezuela has four major regions. They are the Maracaibo Basin, the Andean Highlands, the Llanos, and the Guiana Highlands. The Andean Highlands begin southwest of the Marcaibo Basin and extend across northern Venezuela. Most of Venezuela's people live in this region. The region has three sections. They are, from west to east; the Mérida Range, the Central Highlands, and the Northeastern Highlands.
* Taken from The World Book Encyclopedia. (Chicago: World Book, Inc.), pg 298-304.
Virgin of Coromoto and Child
La Vierge de Coromoto et l'Enfant
Date: 10/06/52; Scott: 641
Virgin of Coromoto and Child
La Vierge de Coromoto et l’Enfant
Date: 1953; Scott: 642
Virgin of Coromoto and Child
La Vierge de Coromoto et l’Enfant
Date: 1953; Scott: 643
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: 569
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: 570
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: 571
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: 572
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: 573
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: 574
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: 575
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C473
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C474
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C475
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C476
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C477
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C478
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C479
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C480
Arms of Merida and Church
Armoiries de merida et une église
Date: 02/13/53; Scott: C481
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar
Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 725
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 726
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 727
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 728
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 729
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 730
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 731
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 732
Arms of Trujillo and
Bolivar Monument
Armoiries de Trujillo et le monument
de Bolivar
Date: 11/17/58; Scott: 733