Total area: 912,050 sq km (352,144 sq mi)
Population (2009 est.): 26,814,843
Capital (2003 est.): Caracas - 3,517,300 (metro. area)
Largest cities: Maracaibo - 1,889,000 (metro. area); Valencia - 1,515,400;
Barquisimeto - 948,900
Currency: Bolivar
Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects
Religions: Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%
Time zone: GMT-4.5; DST is not observed
Electricity: AC 120V/60Hz; American type plugs with two flat blades are used
Venezuela is a country in north South America, on the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south. The east part of Venezuela comprises the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean coast. There are four distinctive regions in Venezuela:
- the Venezuelan Highlands in the west of the country; here is the highest point of Venezuela, Pico Bolívar, at 4,979 metres (16,335 ft),
- the Maracaibo Lowlands, occupying the northwest part,
- the central plain of Los Llanos around the Orinoco River
- the Guyana region, south of the Orinoco River, including Amazon rain forest and the Guyana Highlands
Venezuela is home to the world's highest waterfall - The Angel Falls (Churun Meru), located in the Guyana Highlands.
