Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Capital: Caracas

Total Area: 352,144.47 sq mi, 912,050.00 sq km, (slightly more than twice the size of California)

Population: 23,916,810 (July 2001 est.)

Estimated Population in 2050: 37,106,394

Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects

Literacy: 91.1% total, 91.8% male, 90.3% female (1995 est.)

Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Life Expectancy: 70.29 male, 76.56 female (2001 est.)

Government Type: federal republic

Currency: 1 bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos

GDP (per capita): $6,200 (2000 est.)

Industry: petroleum, iron ore mining, construction materials, food processing, textiles, steel, aluminum, motor vehicle assembly

Agriculture: corn, sorghum, sugarcane, rice, bananas, vegetables, coffee; beef, pork, milk, eggs; fish

Arable Land: 4%

Natural Resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, other minerals, hydropower, diamonds

Where is Venezuela?