PEOPLE
The Venezuelan people comprise a
combination of European, indigenous, and African heritages. About
85% of the population live in urban areas in the northern portion
of the country. While almost half of Venezuela's land area lies
south of the Orinoco River, this region contains only 5% of the
population.
At the time of the Spanish discovery,
the indigenous people were mainly agriculturists and hunters living
in groups along the coast, the Andean mountain range, and along
the Orinoco River. The first permanent Spanish settlement in South
America--Nuevo Toledo--was established in Venezuela in 1522. Venezuela
was a relatively neglected colony in the 1500s and 1600s as the
Spaniards focused on extracting gold from other areas of their
empire in the Americas.
The Venezuelans began to grow restive
under colonial control toward the end of the 18th century. After
several unsuccessful uprisings, the country achieved independence
from Spain in 1821 under the leadership of its most famous son,
Simon Bolivar. Venezuela, along with what are now Colombia, Panama,
and Ecuador, was part of the Republic of Gran Colombia until 1830,
when Venezuela separated and became a sovereign country.
Much of Venezuela's 19th century
history was characterized by periods of political instability,
dictatorial rule, and revolutionary turbulence. The first half
of the 20th century was marked by periods of authoritarianism--including
dictatorships from 1908-35 and from 1950-58. The Venezuelan economy
shifted after the first World War from a primarily agricultural
orientation to an economy centered on petroleum production and
export.
Since the overthrow of Gen. Marcos
Perez Jimenez in 1958 and the military's withdrawal from direct
involvement in national politics, Venezuela has enjoyed an unbroken
tradition of civilian democratic rule. Until the 1998 elections,
the Democratic Action (AD) and the Christian Democratic (COPEI)
parties dominated the political environment at both the state
and federal level.
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Venezuelan(s).
Population (July 2007 est.): 26,023,528.
Annual population growth: 1%.
Religion: Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Language: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects.
Education: Years compulsory--9. Literacy--93.4% (male 93.8%, female 93.1%).
Health: Infant mortality rate--22.52 deaths/1,000 live births. Life expectancy--73.28 yrs.
Ethnic groups: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, Amerindian.
