Venezuela Country & Tourist Information

Location
South America.

Area
916,445 sq km (353,841 sq miles).

Population
26.6 million (UN, 2005).

Population Density
29.02 per sq km.

Capital
Caracas.
Population: 3.6 million (metropolitan area, 2004).

Government
Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1830. 
Recent history: Venezuelans either love or loathe Hugo Chávez. In August 2004, the opposition gathered enough names for a petition demanding a referendum on Chávez’s rule. Chávez won the ballot, with 59% of people agreeing that he should serve out his remaining two-and-a-half years of term. The opposition is driven exclusively by its dislike of Chávez: with his removal, the alliance of business, unions, the old political parties and assorted interest groups will fragment. However, for now, Chávez’s future is secured. In the 2005 parliamentary elections, Chávez’s party won 114 seats in the 167-seat National Assembly. Voter turnout was low and the main opposition parties boycotted the elections, protesting against what they perceived to be a biased electoral board. Chávez then went on to win a third presidential term in December 2006.

Language
Spanish is the official language. English, French, German and Portuguese are also spoken by some sections of the community.

Religion
86 per cent Roman Catholic.

Time
GMT - 4.

Electricity
110 volts AC, 60Hz. US-style two-pin plugs are the most commonly used fittings.

Head of State
President Hugo Chávez Frías since 1998.

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 58.

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is limited to around Caracas and major cities.

Internet
There are Internet cafes in most urban areas.

Media
President Chávez’s attitudes towards the media have attracted criticism from external watchdogs. A 2005 media law banned the inappropriate airing of scenes of sex and violence, as well as material deemed harmful to national security. Opponents of the bill claimed it was an attempt to silence media criticism. Both private and state-owned broadcasters operate in the country. President Chávez has his own weekly TV and radio program.

Post
There is an efficient mail service from Venezuela to the USA and Europe. Airmail to Europe takes three to seven days. Internal mail can sometimes take longer. Surface mail to Europe takes at least one month.

Press
The English-language daily newspaper is The Daily Journal, published in Caracas. Spanish-language dailies include El Nacional (website: www.el-nacional.com), El Mundo (website: www.elmundo.com.ve), El Universal (website: www.eluniversal.com) and Ultimas Noticias (website: www.ultimasnoticias.com.ve).

Radio
Radio Nacional de Venezuela is a state broadcaster with 15 stations. Union Radio Noticias is a commercial news network.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2007-December 2008 period.

2007
1 Jan New Year’s Day.
19-20 Feb Carnival.
5 Apr Holy Thursday.
6 Apr Good Friday.
19 Apr Declaration of Independence.
1 May Labor Day.
24 Jun Battle of Carabobo.
5 Jul Independence Day.
24 Jul Birth of Simón Bolívar.
12 Oct Columbus Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day. 

2008
1 Jan New Year’s Day. 
4-5 Feb Carnival. 
20 Mar Holy Thursday. 
21 Mar Good Friday.
19 Apr Declaration of Independence.
1 May Labor Day.
24 Jun Battle of Carabobo.
5 Jul Independence Day.
24 Jul Birth of Simón Bolívar.
12 Oct Columbus Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Note
There are some additional regional holidays; contact INATUR (see General Info).

Contact Information:

INATUR (Nacional Instituto de Turismo)
Mexico Avenue, Caracas Hilton Hotel, South Tower, Floors 1 and 2, Caracas, Venezuela
Tel: (212) 576 1193 or 9032.

Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela in the UK
1 Cromwell Road, London SW7 2HR, UK
Tel: (020) 7584 4206 or 581 2776.
Website: www.venezlon.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1300, 1400-1700.

Embassy of the Republic of Venezuela (Consular Section) in the UK
56 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL, UK
Tel: (020) 7387 6727.
Website: www.venezlon.co.uk
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1300.

Caribbean Tourism Organization in the UK
22 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1BP, UK
Tel: (020) 8948 0057.
Website: www.doitcaribbean.com or www.onecaribbean.org

Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in the USA
1099 30th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 342 2214.
Website: www.embavenez-us.org


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