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Why Venezuela is Often in the News
Venezuela Holds the World's Largest Oil Reserves
Facts: Venezuela holds the largest proven oil reserves in the world.
Why it matters: Oil has shaped the country’s economy and global relationships.
What to know: Economic conditions have shifted as oil prices and policies changed.[10]
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Venezuela Was Once One of the Richest Countries
Fact: In 1950, Venezuela ranked among the world’s richest countries per person, often cited as fourth globally in GDP per capita.
Why it matters: It highlights one of the most dramatic economic reversals in modern history, helping explain Venezuela’s current challenges.
What to know: Venezuela’s mid-20th-century wealth was driven by oil, but decades of mismanagement, inflation, and infrastructure collapse caused GDP per capita to fall sharply, placing the country far outside the top ranks today.[15]
![Venezuela Trivia]()
Oil is cheaper than water in Venezuela
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Gasoline Was Cheaper Than Water
Fact: For many years, fuel subsidies made gasoline cheaper than bottled water in Venezuela.
Why it matters: Gas costing less than water illustrates how extreme subsidies and failing infrastructure distorted Venezuela’s economy and daily life.
What to know: Fuel prices have evolved over time due to economic reforms.[4]
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Geography That Shaped the Country
Venezuela Is Twice the Size of California
Fact: Venezuela spans a total of 340,560 square miles (882,046 sq km), which is twice the size of California.
Why it matters: A large land area helps explain Venezuela’s wide range of climates and ecosystems.
What to know:: Venezuela borders the Caribbean Sea, Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.[7]
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Capital City
Fact: Caracas is the capital city and largest metropolitan area of Venezuela.
Why it matters: Caracas is the seat of the national government, which includes executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It is the primary center of industry, tourism, education, and commerce.
What to know: Caracas sits in a mountain less than 10 miles from the Caribbean coast.[11]
![Angel Falls Fact]()
On some days, it's possible to feel the spray of the falls from over a mile away
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Angel Falls
Fact: Angel Falls the tallest waterfall in the world, standing about 17 times higher than Niagara Falls.
Why it matters: It is one of Venezuela's most recognizable natural landmarks.
What to know: The falls are located in Canaima National Park, a protected natural area.[7]
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Tepuis and Mount Roraima
Fact: Mount Roraima, the world's tallest tepui, or tabletop mountain, is found in Venezuela. Its otherworldly landscape inspired Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s novel The Lost World, which imagined prehistoric creatures surviving atop a remote plateau.
Why it matters: Tepuis are among the oldest geological formations on Earth.
What to know: Their isolated flat tops support plant and animal species found nowhere else.[7]
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Extreme Natural Phenomena
Venezuela Is the Most Electric Place on Earth
Fact: An atmospheric phenomenon known as "the everlasting storm" occurs at the junction of the Catatumbo River and Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. It produces thousands of lightning strikes per hour.
Why it matters: It is one of the most intense lightning regions on Earth.
What to know: Scientists study the phenomenon to better understand weather and atmospheric conditions.[12]
![Catatumbo Lightning Fact]()
Venezuela is the most electric place on the planet
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Biodiversity & Conservation
Venezuela Is a Global Biodiversity Hotspot
Fact: Venezuela ranks among the top ten most biodiverse countries in the world.
Why it matters: Biodiversity supports healthy ecosystems and scientific research.
What to know: Venezuela contains rainforests, wetlands, mountains, and coral reefs.[13]
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Over Half the Country Is Protected Land
Fact: Nearly 54% of Venezuela’s land is designated as protected areas—the highest share globally.
Why it matters:Protected land helps preserve wildlife and natural resources.
What to know: These areas include national parks, wildlife reserves, and marine zones.[18]
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The World’s Most Endangered Crocodile Lives in Venezuela
Fact: Venezuela is home to the most endangered crocodile in the world, the Orinoco crocodile.
Why it matters: Its survival reflects the health of major river ecosystems.
What to know: Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and breeding programs.[7]
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Venezuela Is Home to the World’s Largest Rodent
Fact: The world's largest rodent, the capybara, lives in Venezuela, where the furry animal is considered to be a delicacy.
Why it matters: It plays an important role in wetland ecosystems, and it shows how local culture and religious practices influence food traditions, even for unusual animals
What to know: Capybaras are native to wetlands and rivers across South America. In Venezuela, they are called chigüire, and eating them is most common during Easter, when Catholic dietary rules allow certain types of meat.[5]
![Capybara Facts]()
A fully grown capybara can reach 4 feet long and weigh 140 pounds
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History, Politics & Society
Venezuela Was the First Country to Abolish the Death Penalty
Fact: Venezuela became the first country in the world to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, in 1863.
Why it matters: The decision influenced global human-rights discussions.
What to know: The policy remains part of Venezuelan law today.[1]
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The Country’s Name Means “Little Venice"
Fact: Early Europeans named Venezuela after stilt houses resembling Venice.
Why it matters: The name reflects early European impressions of the region.
What to know: It refers to stilt houses observed along the northern coast.[7]
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Venezuela Has Dozens of Indigenous Cultures
Fact: Venezuela is home to dozens of Indigenous groups, many with cultures that predate European contact.
Why it matters: Indigenous communities contribute to Venezuela’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
What to know: Some groups continue traditional ways of life in remote regions.[14]
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Venezuela Has a Highly Centralized Presidential System
Fact: The president serves as both head of state and government.
Why it matters: Because Venezuela’s president serves as both head of state and head of government, political power is highly centralized. This means that changes in leadership can quickly and dramatically affect the entire country.
What to know: The president is elected for a five-year term, and the government includes a National Assembly and judicial branch.
[16]
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Culture, Traditions & Daily Life
Spanish Is the Official Language
Fact: The official language of Venezuela is Spanish, and the national currency is the bolívar.
Why it matters:Language and currency shape daily communication and commerce.
What to know: Indigenous languages are still spoken in some regions. [6]
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Roller-Skating to Church Is a Christmas Tradition
Fact: In Caracas, some streets are closed so children can roller skate to early morning church services on Christmas Day.
Why it matters It reflects the country’s distinctive holiday customs.[2]
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Venezuela Is a Beauty Pageant Powerhouse
FactVenezuela has produced more Miss Universe and Miss World winners than almost any other country.
Why it Matters:Beauty competitions play a unique cultural role.[9]
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Early European Contact
Fact: Christopher Columbus was the first European to find the Venezuelan coast in 1498.
Why it matters: This marked the beginning of European involvement in the area.
What to know: Venezuela later became part of the Spanish colonial empire.[7]
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Traditional Music and Dance
Fact: Joropo is Venezuela’s traditional music and dance style.
Why it matters: It represents Venezuelan cultural identity and is a symbol of national pride.
What to know: Joropo combines harp, cuatro (a four-stringed guitar), and maracas, featuring lively rhythms and partner dancing; it is especially popular in the plains (llanos) region.[8]
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National Flower
Fact: The cattleya orchid is Venezuela's national flower. Over 25,000 species of orchids make their home in Venezuela.
Why it matters: Orchids symbolize Venezuela’s botanical richness.
What to know: Venezuela is one of the world’s most orchid-rich countries, with orchids found in rainforests, mountains, and plains, making it a hotspot for botanists and flower enthusiasts.[17]
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Venezuela has the longest coastline in the Caribbean
Fact:The coastline stretches1,740 square miles (2,800 square km).
Why it Matters The long coastline explains Venezuela’s strong Caribbean cultural ties, rich marine biodiversity, and historic role in regional trade, despite being more often associated with South America than the Caribbean.[7]
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Hurricane Katrina
Fact: After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Venezuela was among the first countries to offer assistance to the United States.
Why it matters: The episode highlights how international aid decisions can be shaped as much by politics as by humanitarian need. What to know: U.S. officials at the time declined the offer, describing it as counterproductive amid strained diplomatic relations.[3]
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Why These Venezuela Facts Matter
Understanding Venezuela’s geography, history, wildlife, culture, government, and economy provides readers with useful context to make sense of news events and global discussions. These evergreen facts show why Venezuela remains one of the most fascinating countries in the Americas.[15]
Fun Venezuela Facts INFOGRAPHIC