Kings and cabbage or the history of Venezuela. Venezuela - background Hugo Chavez's board

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, or simply Venezuela, is located on the northern coast of South America.

Despite the resistance of the locals, in 1522 Venezuela was colonized by the Spanish. It is the first Spanish colony to declare independence in 1811. But until 1830, Venezuela was part of the Republic of Colombia.

Venezuela consists of 23 states, some of which are part of the Federal (metropolitan) district, and part of which belongs to the Federal possessions (including offshore islands).

Although 92% of the country's population identifies as Roman Catholic, relations between the government and the Catholic Church are extremely tense. Some even predict a further break in relations between the Vatican and Venezuela. Since 2006, the Reformed Catholic Church of Venezuela has been operating here. The remaining 8% of the population are either undecided, or Protestants, or representatives of other faiths.

Since the discovery of huge oil reserves here at the beginning of the 20th century, Venezuela has been one of the world's exporters of petroleum products. Oil exports account for most of the state's revenue. Along with petroleum products, Venezuela exports coffee and cocoa to the world market.

Capital	Caracas
Population	27 150 095 people
Population density	30.2 people / km 2
	spanish
Religion	christianity
Form of government	presidential republic
	venezuelan Bolivar (VEB)
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone on the Internet
Electricity

Climate and weather

The north of the country is located in the tropical trade wind zone. The weather is hot here all year round. As you move inland, the climate changes to subequatorial. Summers are hot and humid while winters are warm and dry. In the country as a whole, the temperature does not make sharp changes throughout the year and remains at around + 21 ... + 26 ° С... Average January temperature - +19 ° C, July - +23 ° C... Temperature is also influenced by altitude. In flat areas and on the coast, the air can warm up to +32 ° C. And with increasing altitude, the temperature decreases, in the mountains its average value is +8 ° C... The same thing happens with precipitation. On the plain, their number is 250 mm, and in the mountains falls up to 3000 mm precipitation per year. Venezuela is away from the formation and movement of tropical hurricanes, thus not being exposed to their destructive force.

It is better to go to Venezuela between November and May, after the end of the rainy season.

Nature

Venezuela can be divided into four regions, differing in relief, climate and vegetation: mountainous regions Andes, depression in the area lakes Maracaibo, plain y Rivers Apure and Orinoco, Guiana Highlands... Due to this division and the different conditions in the regions, the flora of the country is distinguished by its diversity. There are more than 7000 varieties of wild plants alone. More than 600 species of wood grow in the forests - three times more than in Europe. Here you can find black, red, iron, cinchona, coffee trees. Cypresses, various types of palms, tree ferns, agaves, cacti are widespread. Mangroves grow in flooded areas.

Extremely rich animal world forests, plains, lakes and rivers of Venezuela. About 20 species of chain-tailed monkeys live here, the Andean bear and coati are found in the forests. Also here you can find an anteater, woody porcupine, armadillo armadillo. On the banks of the rivers, you can see tapirs grazing. The savannah is home to large and small rodents, various types of wild goats, small deer, fallow deer. Predators are the South American raccoon, puma, jaguar, and other small wild cats. The country has a huge number of poisonous snakes, other reptiles and amphibians. Electric eel, piranhas, and amphibian fish are found in freshwater rivers. Dolphins can be seen in the lower reaches of the Orinoco.

sights

The heart of Venezuela Caracas... The city has a long and rich history, parts of which have been preserved in its architecture. A famous place in the city is Simon Bolivar Square. The square houses the cathedral, built in the 17th century, and the remains of Bolivar himself are kept in the National Pantheon. Another interesting place for viewing is the chapel of St. Rose, here the independence of the state was proclaimed in 1811. Caracas is full of museums, for example:

• museum of Colonial Art;
• gallery of National Art;
• museum of Fine Arts;
• the Bolivar Museum;
• museum of transport.

City Merida located at an altitude of 1640 meters above sea level. The main attraction of the city is the Bolivar Peak, the top of which is crowned with a monument to the national hero of Venezuela.

City Guanare considered the spiritual capital of the state. There is a temple of the patroness of the country Virgen de Coromoto and a monument that was erected in her honor in 1996.

There is a lot to see in Venezuela and outside the cities. You can go to National park Canaima... The territory of the park is an ancient plateau, or tepuis. Some of them rise up to thousands of meters. The world's highest waterfall is also located here. Flip Angel... Tourists are given the opportunity to take a sightseeing tour of the park by plane. Another picturesque place in Venezuela - Lagoon Canaima with numerous waterfalls, near which you can swim on an Indian boat.

Great Savannah spreads out in the southeast of the state of Bolivar. Here you can admire the unspoiled nature. The Los Roques National Park is located 168 km from the coast of Venezuela on the archipelago. Most of the park is closed to the public, but open areas are considered the best for diving.

Food

The basis of Venezuelan cuisine is made up of legumes, rice, potatoes, meat, a variety of spices and other vegetables. A popular dish here is flat bread. arepa". The flatbread is served with a variety of fillings, from vegetables to meat.

Since the country has access to the sea, seafood is widespread here. You should definitely try avocado stuffed with shrimps or real crab meat with white sauce. Oysters in wine sauce and rice with shellfish are widespread.

For dessert, fruits are usually served, of which there is a huge abundance. It can be guava or strawberries with cream, mango, watermelon, papaya, bananas, guavas, oranges. You can also enjoy caramel, pastries or sweets for dessert. Despite the fact that Venezuela is one of the leading exporters of cocoa to the world market, it is extremely difficult to find it in the country along with chocolate.

Spirits are mainly represented by strong beer, rum, and wheat and rice moonshine. There is a large selection of papaya, mango, pineapple, melon juices. Coconut juice is popular, which is most often drunk through a straw directly from the nut.

All this is eaten by the civilized population of the country. The Indians have their own dietary habits. For example, they can eat snakes, cockroaches and beetle larvae.

Residence

Arriving in Venezuela, tourists prefer to rent a hotel room, apartment or house at a local resort margarita Island... Hotels here are quite expensive, have 4-5 "stars" and operate on an "all inclusive" system. It is also popular to rent apartments in a place called Rio Chico... Here, in the residential complex " Los Flamingos»You can rent a two-room apartment for only $ 490 per week. House in a small coastal town Tukakas near the national park will cost $ 480 per week. Fans of colonial-style life can rent a house in a fishing village for $ 380 Choroni on the shores of the Caribbean Sea. And everything is included in the cost of living, even beach towels.

Entertainment and recreation

Venezuela is suitable for recreation and beach lovers of doing nothing and those who like an active lifestyle.

The coast of the country is indented by small and cozy bays with white sandy beaches. The best of them are located on the Margarita island - Manzanillo, Juan Griego, Caribe... A distinctive feature of the beaches is their large area and length.

Large resorts offer tourists canoeing and catamaran rides, horse riding, sailing, diving, as well as golf courses. In the mountains Sierra Nevada de Merida from December to May, ski resorts offer their services.

Since the country is replete with national parks and reserves, ecotourism enthusiasts will love excursions around them. Popular places are Guiana Highlands, Angel Falls, Orinoco River, Andes.

Venezuela is a colorful country, the people are cheerful here, and accordingly the holidays are the same. New Year celebrated here on January 1st. In Venezuela, he is associated with good fortune, luck and the beginning of a new life. As in any other country in Latin America, Venezuela is adored carnivals... The main one is held forty days before Easter, is the most anticipated holiday and is celebrated on a grand scale. Bright outfits, fiery rhythms, joyful screams and general fun - all this must be seen for yourself. On April 19, Venezuela's Declaration of Independence Day is celebrated throughout the country.

The country's capital has more restaurants and bars than any Latin American city. Restaurants and cafes are the center of social life. People come here not only for food, but also to discuss business issues or just to talk. Tipping is 5-10% of the bill.

Purchases

Many shops in the country are open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 to 18:00. The lunch break is usually between 14:00 and 15:00. Large shopping centers have been extended until 21:00, sometimes until 22:00.

The tax free system is not practiced here, and value added tax is included in the price of the goods and is equal to 16%. Sometimes a local tax is added to the amount.

Margarita Island is located in a free trade zone, so prices for goods are lower here. The most popular souvenirs among tourists are rum, cocoa, coffee, chocolate, things made by Indians, jewelry.

Transport

Venezuela is connected to the world by air and sea transport. The country has two major international airports - International simon Bolivar airport near Caracas and International Airport La Chinita in Maracaibo. The main seaports are located in Maracaibo, La Guairaand Puerto Cabello... Communication between major cities of the country is also carried out using air travel.

The railway communication in the country is practically not developed, therefore bus transportation is very popular. There are bus stations in large cities. Things are not so good in the provinces. Old technology is used here, there are no bus stations, the timetable changes frequently and without good reason, and in the rainy season the roads are washed out, which makes traveling by bus dangerous. There is a subway in Caracas and Maracaibo.

Also, minibuses and taxis are widespread in the country. In minibuses, the fare is equal to the fare on the bus, but on weekends and holidays it can increase by 10-20%. When calling a taxi, it is necessary to agree on payment before the trip, because tourists are often cheated, choosing the longest way to their destination.

There is also a car rental in the country. To rent a car, you need to have an international driver's license and be over 21 years old.

Communication

Venezuela's telecommunications system is fairly well developed. The streets of the city are full of public telephones from which you can even make calls abroad. Payment is made using a telephone card. The cost of a call to Europe will be $ 1.25, to the USA - $ 1, to local settlements - $ 0.2.

There are several mobile operators in the country, the coverage is quite good, a SIM card and payment cards can be purchased at any store, post office, or newsstand.

The Internet in Venezuela is even better developed than mobile communications. You can go online even while in the village. There are three major Internet service providers providing a full range of services. In large cities, Internet cafes are located almost in every block. Connection cost is approximately $ 1 per hour.

Safety

IN last years in the country, the crime rate has increased significantly. This is especially noticeable in the capital of Venezuela, where it is dangerous to be in the city center even in the evening. However, outside the capital, the crime rate is not so high and the further from the city, the lower it is. The country has created a special Tourist Police Brigade, which is obliged to help tourists in case of problems with the local population.

It is advisable to immunize against hepatitis B and D, measles, tetanus and cholera before traveling to Venezuela. If you are planning to visit the valley Orinoco or areas south of lakes Maracaibo, yellow fever vaccination is required. It is important to know that you will not be released from the country if you do not have a certificate of vaccination against rubella and measles. You can get vaccinated at the airport health department.

You should not swim in freshwater reservoirs because of the danger of catching any infection. Also, do not drink running water and eat vegetables and fruits without washing them and peeling them off.

The country is full of insects, so you should take care of the availability of special protective sprays and creams.

Business climate

Venezuela is currently experiencing rapid economic growth. The country provides ample opportunities for starting your own business. Moreover, this business does not have to be associated with the tourism sector.

Before opening your own business in Venezuela, you need to obtain a so-called residence - the status of a foreign citizen permanently residing in Venezuela. You can get a residence only after three years of permanent residence in the country.

It should be noted that not all types of activities require a special license. To deal with all the legal intricacies of business registration, you can use the services of lawyers who specialize in working with foreign citizens.

It is better to involve a local intermediary to establish business contacts. These services are widely provided by private and public finance companies. The use of an intermediary will facilitate the entry of services or goods of a novice businessman to the consumer market.

As far as taxation is concerned, it is very low in Venezuela. For example, only 13% is tax on annual profits, and an experienced accountant can reduce it to 7-9%.

The property

Compared to other countries and regions of the Caribbean, real estate in Venezuela can be purchased at a very low price. Thus, the cost of a two-room apartment with an area of \u200b\u200b70-80 m² in the capital will be about $ 100,000-120,000. A house with six bedrooms here will cost $ 550,000. But a bungalow somewhere in a village, far from large cities, will cost only $ 25,000-30,000.

Since the brokerage activity in Venezuela is not licensed, anyone can deal with the sale / purchase of housing, so you should be careful. As a rule, the intermediary is paid a certain percentage of the transaction. Usually it is 5% and is paid by the property seller. There is one more feature of concluding a deal - the contract must be concluded in handwritten form. Only in this case it is legally binding. Therefore, even if the contract is typed on a computer, it relies on exactly the same handwritten copy. As for taxes related to real estate, here they are administered by the municipal authorities, so there is no single rate here.

Venezuela has a parallel exchange rate: when buying local currency from hands, its rate is twice as high as offered by the bank.

In restaurants and cafes there is a service charge of 10% and it is customary to leave another 10% "for tea". Tipping the taxi driver should only be given if he is carrying your suitcase.

It is important to remember that when leaving the country, the tourist is required to pay a government tax of 21%. Passengers leaving the country on the same day as arriving and not leaving the airport, as well as children under 15, crew members and diplomats are exempted from tax.

Long ago, Arthur Conan Doyle wrote the science fiction novel The Lost World, which described the adventures of an English scientific expedition to South America. Few people know that Conan Doyle inspired this novel in Canaima National Park, Venezuela. Now Venezuela can hardly be called a “lost world”. Thanks to the large reserves of oil, the infrastructure of recreation on the shores of the Caribbean Sea is actively developing in this country.

Geography of Venezuela

Venezuela is located on the northern coast of South America. In the west, Venezuela borders Colombia, in the east - with Guyana, and in the south - with Brazil. In the north, the country is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. Total area - 916 445 sq. km., and the total length of the state border is 4 993 km.

Venezuela has numerous small islands, the largest of which is Margarita Island, which is now a popular South American resort.

The territory of Venezuela can be divided into four physical and geographical regions: the Maracaibo lowlands in the northwest, mountains in the north, plains in the central part, and the Guiana Highlands in the southeast. The highest local peak is Bolivar Peak, whose height reaches 4,979 meters.

In the south of the country, in the Canaima National Park, there is the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls, with a total height of 979 meters.

Venezuela has about 1,000 rivers, but most of them are very small. The largest and most important local river is the Orinoco, with a length of 2,500 kilometers.

Capital

Caracas is the capital of Venezuela. More than 3.2 million people now live in this city. Caracas, like many other South American cities, was founded by the Spaniards (this happened in 1567).

Official language of Venezuela

There is only one official language - Spanish.

Religion

About 92% of the population is Catholic.

State structure of Venezuela

According to the Constitution, Venezuela is a federal presidential republic, headed by a President elected for 6 years. Executive power rests with the President, as well as the Vice President and Ministers.

The unicameral local parliament is called the National Assembly and has 162 members.

The main political parties are the PSUV (United Socialist Party of Venezuela), the Coalition for Democratic Unity and the Communist Party.

Administratively, the country is divided into 23 states, one Federal District (region of Caracas) and Federal possessions (islands in the Caribbean). The states, in turn, are divided into 335 municipalities.

Climate and weather

The climate varies from alpine to humid tropical, the air temperature changes are insignificant (the country is located near the equator). Therefore, you can relax in Venezuela all year round.

Cool weather is observed from November to February, especially in the highlands. The hottest months are July and August. The average annual air temperature is + 30C.

The rainy season is from May to mid-November. However, heavy rains sometimes occur during the dry season, which lasts from December to April.

Sea in Venezuela

In the north, the country is washed by the waters of the Caribbean Sea. The length of the sea coast is 2 800 km. The average sea temperature near the coast from January to March is + 26C, and from July to September - + 28C.

Rivers and lakes

Venezuela has about 1,000 rivers. The largest of them is the Orinoco River, 2,500 kilometers long. The Orinoco is considered the eighth longest river in the world and the second longest in South America (in the first place is the Amazon).

Culture

The culture of Venezuela was influenced by local Indians and settlers from Africa and Europe. For example, after the arrival of the Spaniards in this country, violins and guitars began to be used as folk musical instruments, and after the appearance of Africans, drums.

The traditional local folk dance is "Joropo", which has 36 variations of basic steps (this is a pair dance).

The main religious holiday is Christmas; its celebration begins on December 16 and lasts until January 6. Until now, during Christmas time, local musicians go from door to door and perform traditional songs "aguinaldos".

In February, Venezuela hosts a grandiose Carnival, which, according to some tourists, is no worse than Brazil.

Venezuelan cuisine

Venezuelan cuisine is influenced by the culinary traditions of the local Indians, French, Italians and Spaniards. Near the seaside, the menu of Venezuelans is dominated by fish and seafood, and in the interior of the country - corn and rice. A very important part of Venezuelan cuisine is meat (beef, lamb, chicken, etc.).

Tourists are recommended to try Pabellon (beef stew with rice, black beans and banana), Hallaca (beef, chicken or fish soup with potatoes and vegetables), Pernil (fried pork with garlic, vinegar and oregano), Chivo al coco (goat meat in coconut milk, served with green banana puree), Empandas (fried cornmeal pies with different fillings), Tequeños (long small buns filled with hot cheese or chocolate).

Traditional non-alcoholic drinks are Batido (very thick fruit juice), Cocada (coconut milkshake, common in the seaside), Frescolita (similar to cream soda).

Traditional alcoholic drinks - "Chicha" (fermented drink with rice, milk and sugar), rum and beer.

sights

The most important tourist attraction in Venezuela is Angel Falls, which is the tallest waterfall in the world. Every year tens of thousands of tourists from different countries of the world come to see it. However, to get to this waterfall, you first need to overcome the jungle road, about 3 kilometers long.

Venezuelan national parks are of great interest to tourists, the best of them are the National Parks of Avila, Mochima, Medanos de Colo, Morocco, Canaima, Enri Pite, La Mukui, El Avila and Sierra Nevada.

In the Medanos de Colo National Park, tourists can see real sand dunes typical of the countries of Asia and Africa. It is very unusual to see them in a tropical country. But the strangest thing is that the height of these dunes often reaches 40 meters, and they disappear very quickly. The reason for this is the constant wind.

We also recommend visiting the Canaima National Park. Many of us have read The Lost World by Conan Doyle. So, it was the Venezuelan Canaima National Park that inspired the famous Englishman to write this novel.

Pay attention to the Orinoco Delta with its unspoiled nature of the rainforest. There is no other country in the world such a beautiful jungle with a unique flora and fauna.

Cities and resorts of Venezuela

The largest large cities are Maracaibo, Caracas, Valencia, Ciudad Guayana, Maracay, Barquisimeto and Barcelona.

The most famous place in Venezuela for beach holiday Is the island of Margarita, located in the southern Caribbean. Margarita has a well-developed infrastructure for beach holidays, beautiful white beaches, palm trees and excellent conditions for water sports.

There are also excellent beaches in the Mochima National Park. There, tourists are expected by sandy bays, numerous small islands, white and red sandy beaches. The area is great for water sports including diving and sailing.

North of Caracas are the coral islands of the Los Roques archipelago, where the tourism industry has been actively developing in recent years.

Beautiful, secluded beaches can be found in the Morokoi National Park, near which, by the way, there is a reserve of rare birds.

Souvenirs / shopping

Typical souvenirs from Venezuela are handicrafts, hammocks, dolls, jewelry, statuettes of Indian leaders, traditional Indian clothing, sandals, Indian bows and arrows, coffee and cocoa.

Opening hours of institutions

Official name - Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela . The current official name has been since 2000.

Square - 916.5 thousand km 2

Population - 27 730 469 people (2007).

Official language - Spanish.

Capital- city of Caracas

National holiday - Day of proclamation of independence July 5 (1811).

Currency unit - bolivar.

Geography. Venezuela is located in the northern part of South America, between Brazil in the south (the total length of the border is about 2200 km), Colombia in the west (2050 km) and Guyana (743 km) in the east. From the north it is washed by the Caribbean Sea (the length of the coastline is about 2800 km). Venezuela also owns the islands of Aves, Orchila, Los Hermanos, Los Testigos, Margarita, La Tortuga, Los Roques and Blanquilla, as well as a number of small coral islands (about 72) and reefs (about 200) in the southern Caribbean.

sights

Venezuela is one of the most colorful countries in South America. Here, the snowy peaks of the Andes and the Amazonian jungle, the beautiful Gran Sabana plateau and almost 3,000 km of sandy shores, the largest lake in South America - Maracaibo and the third longest river on the planet - Orinoco, the highest waterfall of the planet - Angel and the longest cable car in the world coexist here. And all this is surrounded by a luxurious and diverse flora, under which more than 3000 species of exotic animals live, including the jaguar, ocelot, tapir, armadillo, anteater and the longest snake in the world - the anaconda.

Venezuela's bustling capital, multi-million dollar Caracas, lies at an altitude of about 1000 m, in a picturesque valley on the northern coast of the country. The city was founded by Captain Diego de Losada in 1567 and originally bore the name Santiago de Leon de Caracas, which was made up of the names of the patron saint of Spain - Santiago, Governor Pedro Ponce de Leon and the name of the Indian tribal group that inhabited these land - "caracas".

Most of the cultural and architectural attractions of Caracas are concentrated in the old part of the city, which is called El Centro here. The area surrounding Plaza Bolivar is replete with historical monuments - on the south side of the square rises the building of the Museum of Caracas, on the ground floor of which is located the Conceho Municipal (Municipal Council). The museum's collection includes numerous paintings and documents related to the struggle for independence and other significant events of the past. On the east side of the square rises a picturesque colonial-style cathedral - Catedral de Caracas (built in 1575, restored in 1666 after the earthquake of 1641).

Just two blocks west on Avenida Universidad el Capitolio Nacional complex (1873), in which the country's parliament sits (inside there is a small gallery of all the presidents of the country). The most recognizable church in the city, Iglesia de San Francisco (Xvi c, one of the oldest churches in Venezuela). The church's whimsical interior contrasts sharply with its neoclassical façade, which was renovated inXVIII centuries, but Iglesia de San Francisco gained its fame as the place where in 1813 Bolivar was declared a "liberator". Now the church and its altar of San Onofre serve as a real pilgrimage site. Also within the city center, around Plaza Morellos, often referred to as the "Plaza of Museums", is the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Museum of Colonial Art and the Museum of Transport. Also noteworthy is the neo-Gothic church of Santa Capilla (XIX c), the monumental Palacio de Miraflor, the colonial Petares district, the noisy nightlife areas of Las Mercedes, El Rosal, La Floresta and La Castellana, as well as the largest and most modern hippodrome in South America - La Rinconada.

There are also many interesting places around Caracas. First of all, it is the famous Avila National Park, stretching along the spurs of the ridge of the same name just north of the city. The uninhabited emerald slopes of Avila rise above the city like a huge green wave frozen in motion. And just 15 km to the north, behind the ridge, stretches the luxurious Caribbean coast - the focus of beaches and resort areas.

Andes mountain range crosses the entire western part of Venezuela, from the Colombian border to the Caribbean coast. The ridges form three main branches - Sierra Nevada, Sierra de La Culata and Sierra de Santo Domingo, rising above sea level by almost 5000 meters (the highest point of the country - Bolivar peak has a height of 5007 m, and the rest are only slightly - just do not reach this mark). The green mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Merida are the northernmost tip of the Andes system. Here for hundreds of kilometers stretch small villages, whose inhabitants still live a traditional way of life, and the mountains themselves, whose foothills practically bathe in the warm waters of the sea, serve as a well-known bait for all lovers of outdoor activities.

Colorful city MeridaLying in the mountains just 12 km from the country's highest peak, Pico Bolivar, is one of the most popular tourist centers in Venezuela, from where many trails and routes run for hiking, trekking and other outdoor activities. The picturesque and bustling student city of Merida was founded in 1558 by the Spaniard Juan Rodriguez Suarez, who named it Santiago de Los Caballeros de Merida. It is now a university city (with about 40,000 students), widely known for the proverbial courtesy of its residents and for its parks (there are 28 city parks here - more than any other city in Venezuela).

Its attractions include the old district of La Parocchia, a colorful colonial-style airport building, Jardin Aquario Park, the Museum of Science and Technology, a monument to Juan Rodriguez Suarez, Plaza de Los Geronas, a picturesque church in Rangel del Llano square , University (the largest in the country), Plaza de Toros, Flower Clock, Albarregas Park with the Museum of the sculptor Mariano Pisin Salas, Miranda viaduct (there are many in the city standing at the intersection of several rivers, viaducts and bridges), colorful street market Mercada -Principal de Merida, the artisanal market of Mercado-Artesanal-Manuel-Rojas-Guillen and the market of Mercado-Murace, the Mukubahi lagoon, the well-known "Black Lagoon", as well as numerous churches and chapels scattered in abundance throughout the area.

And the hallmark of Merida is the longest and highest cable car in the world - Teleferico de Merida (1958). It stretches from the city center (1639 m above sea level) to the top of the second highest peak in Venezuela - Espejo (4765 m), forming a string of three cables 12.6 km long.

At 10 km from the town of Apartaderos, there is the Estación Biologica Juan Manuel Paz "condor park", widely known for its scientific research work on the protection of famous birds.

The highest waterfall on the planet - Angel (Salto Angel ) is located on one of the branches of the Carrao River (Churun, a tributary of the Caroni River), in the heart of the Canaima National Park. With the total height of the ledge of the huge mountain range Auyantepui, from which water erupts, at 979 m, the maximum height of free fall of water is 807 m, which is 20 times higher than Niagara and 15 times higher than Iguazu. The waterfall was officially opened in 1935 by American pilot James Angel (James crawford angel ), who conducted reconnaissance of these places from the air. However, from time immemorial the waterfall was known to the local Indians pemon under the name Kerepakupai-Meru (Kerepakupai - Meru - "falls into the deepest placeThey believed that a "mawari" (spirit in human form) lived on the mountain, which steals the souls of people, and for this reason the Indians never climbed to the top of the "tepui" and never told Europeans about the waterfall.

Roraima plateau ("big blue-green mountain") stretches along the border of Venezuela with Guyana and Brazil for 280 square meters. km. This is the southern part of the Guiana Highlands, which includes a huge area occupied by a fantastic mix of tepuis and simas. Described in the novel by Arthur Conan Doyle "The Lost World", the plateau is considered the Indians " center of the earth", for it is here, according to their mythology, that goddess Queen - the progenitor of people... The plateau got its name from the highest mountain in the massif - Roraima (2772 m), but in the vicinity there are many other famous mountains, such as Cerro Autana (the sacred mountain of the Piaroa Indians, who believe that this massif, cut by caves, is about 1220 m, is the trunk of a tree through which the juices of the Earth flow), Cerro Pintado, or "Painted Mountain", (on the surface of the rock, several dozen petroglyphs were found here, many of which have no analogues on the continent), Serra de La Neblina ("Mountain of fogs", up to 3014 m), Cerro Sarisarinama with huge canyons on its top (1670 m, "sari-sari" - this is how the local Indians think of the clanging of the jaws of the demon living on top, which supposedly swallows people).

Margarita Island located 40 km from the northern coast of the country, forming, together with the islands of Coche and Cubagua, a small archipelago (3 islands, about 70 reefs), which is an independent state of Nueva Esparta. The first European who saw the island was Christopher Columbus, whose ships came to the coast of Margaret on August 15, 1498, and the first inhabitant of the Old World to set foot on its land was Pedro Alonso Niño, who exchanged 38 kg of pearls from the Indians, which became the most expensive prey of the Spaniards inXv in. The pearls for which this island has always been famous, and became the reason for its rapid colonization. Since then, pearl banks have faded into the background, although the title "Pearl of Venezuela" has remained, and tourism has become the main source of income for the islanders - more than a hundred luxury hotels have been built on Margarita, long beaches (about 315 km) are considered one of the best in the country, and the absence manifestations and political conflicts so characteristic of the continental part of the country make the rest here calm and serene.

In the north-west of the country, at the base of the narrow isthmus of Medanos, which connects the Paraguana Peninsula with the continent, is located town of Corot. The city was founded under the name of Santa Ana de Coro in 1527 by the Spaniard Juan de Ampies. Thus, Coro competes with Kumano for the title of the oldest Spanish city on the continent. The first land expeditions in search of the legendary Eldorado set off from Koro. It also became the first capital of the new Spanish province of Venezuela, although it was quickly leased to Germany and after the end of the treaty, Corot became an ordinary provincial city, repeatedly plundered by corsairs. Goods smuggling and profitable geographic location each time led to the fact that the city rose from ruins. And now it is a perfectly preserved colonial city - the only settlement in Venezuela, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (1950).

Maracaibo attracts few tourists. Founded in 1574, it has preserved a rather limited number of monuments from the colonial era, and even those, for the most part, are located outside the city limits. Lying next to the city, the eponymous lake-lagoon Maracaibo, known as the main base area of \u200b\u200bpirates inXV - XVII centuries, is the largest freshwater body of water on the continent (the area of \u200b\u200bthe water table is about 12 800 sq. km), but oil pollution prevents its use for recreation. However, almost all routes through the region inevitably cross the Rafael-Urdaneta Bridge, which spans the throat of the lake (total length 8679 m - the longest bridge in South America), through the coastal pile village of Santa Rosa de Agua, which is famous for its fish restaurants, and also past Sinamaica, the place where Amerigo Vespucci called the new land he discovered Venezuela.

Spanish colonization

Making his third voyage to the shores of the New World, he discovered the northern coast of South America, and already in 1499, the Spanish conquistador Alonso de Ojeda arrived there. In the lagoon of Maracaibo, the conquerors saw two dozen huts of the Warao Indians built on stilts and connected by bridges. To a native of Italy Amerigo Vespucci, who arrived with the Spaniards, they reminded the city of lagoons - Venice, and he called the pile village little Venice, in Spanish Venezuela. Mid-16th century, title Venezuela wore only the city of Loro, located at the entrance to the Gulf of Maracaibo. Later they began to call the whole country that way.

By the time of the Spanish conquest, the territory of Venezuela was occupied by semi-nomadic Indian tribes living in the conditions of a primitive communal system and engaged in hunting, fishing, gathering, and slash-and-burn agriculture. Their tools were very primitive and were made of wood and bone. Most of the country was occupied by the Arawak Indians, but shortly before the arrival of the Europeans, the Arawaks drove the Caribbean tribes from the northern regions to the south.
In 1520, the first Spanish settlement was laid in Venezuela and in general in South America - Cumana. In the second half of the 16th century, Caracas, Valencia, Merida and other cities were founded. In the 18th century, having mastered the north and northwest of the country, the Spaniards moved south - to Llanos and Orinoco. By that time, many of the Indians who resisted were exterminated, many died out from epidemics of measles and smallpox, most of the surviving Indians went deep into the jungle.

Conquistadors and the first Spanish settlers took Indian women as their wives. The offspring from these marriages - mestizos - had greater immunity to diseases introduced by Europeans. In connection with the development of the plantation economy from the end of the 16th to the beginning of the 19th century, Negro slaves were imported to the areas of sugar cane, tobacco and indigo plantations. Mixing blacks with whites led to the emergence of mulattoes, and mixing blacks with Indians led to the emergence of sambo. This is how the composition of the country's population, rather motley in its anthropological type, was formed.

In 1528, Emperor Charles V sold the right to colonize the Venezuelan coast from Cape Vela to Maracapan to the Bavarian bankers Welser of Augsburg, to whom he owed large sums. Under the terms of the agreement, the Welsers were to develop the area and found several settlements. However, instead, their agents were looking for the mythical Eldorado, and on the way they robbed and enslaved the Indians. In 1556, the Welser rights were revoked, and the area again came under the rule of the Spanish crown. After that, the process of colonization of the coast by the Spaniards intensified significantly. In 1567, Diego de Lozada founded Caracas.

The economy in the colonial period was limited to agriculture, mainly the cultivation of cocoa and tobacco, and to a small extent cattle breeding. Venezuela has become one of the centers of piracy and smuggling trade; the British and Dutch were the most active in this activity. In 1546, the east coast was included in the captaincy general of Santo Domingo and was under the jurisdiction of the corresponding administrative and judicial board - the audiences. When the Viceroyalty of New Granada was created in 1718, it included the western and southern provinces of Venezuela; in 1777, the territory of present-day Venezuela was reunited under the newly formed captaincy-general of Caracas.

Independence

The first decisive attempt to achieve independence from Spain was made by Venezuela. In 1810, Creoles (i.e., New World-born Spaniards) who were members of the city council of Caracas overthrew the Spanish captain-general and created the Supreme Government Junta. At first, this junta nominally ruled on behalf of King Ferdinand VII of Spain, who was deposed by Napoleon in 1808. However, after the rebels were declared rioters and the colony of Venezuela was blockaded, the National Congress convened in Caracas threw away the appearance of loyalty to the Spanish crown and officially declared independence on July 5, 1811.

The first attempt at independence ended in defeat in July 1812, when Spanish troops began to reassert their dominance over the area. The defeat of independent Venezuela was greatly facilitated by the natural disaster that struck it in March 1812 - a strong earthquake, after which the clergy, who for the most part opposed the ideas of independence, did not hesitate to declare it God's punishment for disobeying the legal authorities. Francisco Miranda, commander-in-chief of the revolutionary army, tried to negotiate peace with the Spanish command, but betrayed and substituted by Simon Bolivar, fell into the hands of the Spaniards and was taken to Spain, where he died in prison.

Spanish rule in Venezuela was restored with the arrival of large Spanish forces in 1815. Bolivar, unable to withstand a strong Spanish army, fled to Haiti. However, in 1816, having raised a strong army with sponsors' money, he returned to the continent and captured the area of \u200b\u200bthe lower reaches of the Orinoco River. Bolivar's position was strengthened in October 1818, when a congress convened in the city of Angostura (now Ciudad Bolivar) proclaimed him President of the Republic of Venezuela. After the liberation of the Spaniards of New Granada (modern Colombia), the Congress met again in December 1819, and announced the unification of New Granada and Venezuela under the name of Greater Colombia (in 1822, Ecuador joined the federation). Bolivar was proclaimed the president of the united republic. In June 1821, the Spanish army was defeated in a decisive battle in the Carabobo Valley, cementing the success of the Republican government.

Republican period

In 1830, shortly before Bolivar's death, Venezuela separated from Greater Colombia and formed an independent republic with its capital in Caracas. The hero of the revolution, General José Antonio Paez, became the first president of the republic and remained the most prominent figure on the political scene in Venezuela until 1846. He maintained good relations with the Catholic Church and promoted trade, agriculture, and education. Venezuela's political history was relatively calm until the late 1850s, when the Federal War of 1859-1863 broke out between adherents of conservatives and liberals. In 1870, the representative of the Liberal Party, Antonio Guzman Blanco, came to power, who ruled until 1887.

In 1887, general dissatisfaction with the rule of Guzmán Blanco forced him to resign from the presidency. After that, for several years there was a struggle between various applicants for the post, until the coming to power of General Joaquin Crespo marked the beginning of a relatively short (1892-1899) period of peace and order. The most significant development of this period was the end of a 50-year border dispute between Venezuela and British Guiana. The disputed territory was of no value until gold was discovered in the area in 1895. US President Grover Cleveland said Britain's claims to Venezuela were in violation of the Monroe Doctrine; under the threat of war, Great Britain was forced to agree to international arbitration. The proceedings ended in the annexation of most of the disputed territory to British Guiana, and Venezuela received the Orinoco Valley.

Soon after this crisis, power in Venezuela passed into the hands of Cipriano Castro, who established a personal dictatorship (1899-1908). He inherited a huge national debt from the previous administration. And by concluding new loan agreements, he further increased the burden of external debt. In 1902, Venezuela refused to acknowledge the claims of foreign creditors seeking to pay government debts. In response, Great Britain, Germany and Italy, with the tacit consent of the United States, blocked Venezuelan ports. Faced with such an overt display of force, Venezuela was forced to yield and the creditors' claims were settled by transferring 30% of the customs duties to La Guaira and Puerto Cabello to them.

Gomez's dictatorship (1908-1935). In 1908, taking advantage of the absence of Castro, who had gone to Europe for treatment, Vice President Juan Vicente Gomez staged a coup d'état; from that moment until his death in 1935, he remained the head of state. Gomez achieved stability in his government and began to pay off a huge national debt. When Venezuela's huge oil reserves were discovered, Gomez took into account the experience of Mexico, which experienced great difficulties in a similar situation, and asked various foreign oil companies to submit proposals for joint development of oil wealth in order to choose the most profitable one. Calling on experts for help, he was able to conclude agreements that ensured the prosperity of Venezuela and made it possible to fulfill all its financial obligations. Venezuela has become the only country in the world without any debt. Nevertheless, the death of Gomez, which followed in 1935, caused general jubilation. He was succeeded as head of state by the former Minister of War, General Eleazar López Contreras.

Progress period

Lopez Contreras led the country to a new life, while avoiding any violent measures. Work has been launched in the country to implement education, health care programs and improve the organization of public works. Unlike his predecessors, Lopez Contreras refused to run for a second term, and in 1941, General Isayas Medina Angarita succeeded him as president. Under him, a leisurely movement towards agrarian reform continued, more lucrative contracts were concluded with foreign oil companies, and even the Venezuelan Communist Party was allowed. However, Medina Angarita's program did not satisfy the young reformers of the liberal Democratic Action Party (DD), founded in 1941, in many ways. Despite changes in the highest echelons of the executive branch, many of those who provided tacit support for the Gomez regime retained their posts.

The 1945 revolution and its aftermath

On October 18, 1945, a revolution took place in the country, marked by armed clashes in Caracas. A new government was created, headed by the young leader of DD Romulo Betancourt. The government he formed was composed of young people, and seven of the eleven cabinet members were educated in the United States. For the first time, an expert in this field was appointed to the post of Minister of Agriculture, who focused his efforts on the introduction of efficient land use methods. It was in this area that the government faced difficulties. Oil companies paid workers high wages, which forced peasants to abandon their farms. The need to import food has made the cost of living in Venezuela one of the highest in the world. At one time, Gomez confiscated small farms in order to create huge cattle ranches in their place. The new government announced that these ranches will be divided into small holdings, the owners of which will be trained in the most efficient farming methods, which should benefit the country as a whole.

In October 1946, a nationwide election of members of the Constituent Assembly took place. Both in these elections and in subsequent ones (in December 1947), the DD candidates won a decisive victory. In 1947, Romulo Gallegos, a renowned writer and staunch reformer, was elected president. The period of his tenure in power was marked by active political activity of parties and groups. At the same time, the DD's impressive electoral victories, the aggressive rhetoric of its leaders, and far-reaching reform programs have caused a growing alienation of influential groups, including some of the clergy and the military. This resulted in a military coup that overthrew President Gallegos in November 1948. A military junta came to power led by former Defense Minister Colonel Carlos Delgado Chalbo. He was killed in 1950, but before that he managed to outlaw both DD and the free press. His place was taken by Herman Suarez Flameric, but in fact control over the government was in the hands of Colonel Marcos Perez Jimenez.

To maintain the semblance of democracy, the junta drew up an elaborate plan for elections for a Constituent Assembly, which in turn was to elect a president. Electoral collegia were appointed to register voters and draw up lists. However, the voters themselves did not show interest in this. In the end, after direct threats from the government to inflict dire punishment on those who did not register and vote, elections were set for 1952. When the preliminary results already clearly showed the leadership of the opponents of the junta, the military authorities suspended the elections and declared Perez Jimenez president. In 1953, the Constituent Assembly approved him for a five-year term.

Perez Jimenez's reign

The dictator harshly suppressed any attempt to criticize his regime. Liberals were forced to go underground or leave the country, and the secret police carried out mass arrests and torture of political prisoners. However, until the end of 1957, Perez Jimenez's rule seemed quite stable. As the time for national elections approached, Perez Jimenez imprisoned all opposition figures he knew, including the leader of the Social Christian Party, Rafael Caldera Rodriguez. In December 1957, a plebiscite was held, with Perez Jimenez being the only candidate. By the end of January 1958, riots broke out in the streets of Caracas, which ended with two days of terror, when about 300 people were killed by the police. Power was seized by a group of officers led by Admiral Wolfgang Larrasabal, commander of the Navy, and Perez Jimenez fled to the United States.

Larrazabal put at the head of the country a Provisional Government Junta, which included military and civilians, which was supported by the leader of the underground, Fabricio Ojedo. Leaders of the opposition parties Romulo Betancourt and Jovito Villalba, as well as Rafael Caldera, returned from emigration. The interim government junta, led by Larrazabal, exercised executive power in the country until the presidential elections in December 1958. This election was won by former President Romulo Betancourt, leader of the DD, ahead of Caldera and Larrazabal.

Democratic rule

The new administration restored the credibility of the country in the international arena, undermined by the Jimenez regime, programs for social security and public education were launched, and measures were taken to attract foreign investment. In 1960, a land reform law was passed, according to which 700 thousand peasants received their own land plots. Throughout Betancourt's five years in power, right-wing and left-wing extremists have continually tried to overthrow the government with support from abroad. In 1960, the Organization of American States (OAS) voted to sanction the Dominican Republic, then ruled by dictator Rafael Trujillo, to help right-wing extremists who assassinated President Betancourt.

Despite the unrest and terrorism, in December 1963, regular elections were held, in which about 90% of the voters took part. Dr. Raul Leoni, the DD candidate and longtime associate of Betancourt, was elected President. In 1968, Rafael Caldera Rodriguez, candidate of the Social Christian Party, succeeded Leoni as president, and his victory in the election was predetermined by a split in the ranks of the DD. In 1974, DD returned to power with the victory in the presidential election in 1973, by its candidate, Carlos Andres Perez. The Peres government carried out in 1975-1976, the nationalization of the iron ore and oil companies. Thanks to a significant increase in government revenues, mainly due to the rise in oil prices in world markets, as well as due to the fact that DD controlled both chambers of the National Congress, Perez was able to launch a number of new programs. In 1978, the Social Christian Party candidate Luis Antonio Herrera Campins was elected president. During his reign, the country's economy went into a prolonged recession, despite the fact that government revenue from oil exports almost doubled. Venezuela's external debt has tripled to over $ 34 billion, and the cost of living has almost doubled. In 1983, candidate DD Jaime Lusinci won the presidential elections by a wide margin. Faced with falling world oil prices and the need to pay large sums of interest on foreign debt and debt repayment, Lusinci imposed austerity in the country that extended the recession, but enabled Venezuela, the only Latin American country, to fully and timely settle accounts with foreign creditors. However, new loans from foreign banks were not obtained, and when economic growth resumed in 1986, the need to finance enterprises created inflation, which led to a doubling of prices within two years.

In the 1988 elections, the DD candidate, former President Carlos Andrés Perez, was elected by a large majority. By this time, per capita income in the country was less than 77% of the 1977 level, and the value of the Venezuelan currency on the international market had decreased by almost 90% in 5 years. Since the country's foreign exchange reserves were almost completely depleted, Peres had to agree to the requirements of the IMF and immediately after taking office, introduce austerity. The unpopular measures taken by him caused riots in Caracas - according to official data, about 300 people died, and according to unofficial data, more than a thousand. The introduction of the austerity regime had the desired effect - foreign lenders agreed to provide Venezuela with new loans, but this did not affect the prevailing negative attitude of the population towards the government as a whole and personally towards Peres.

Unsuccessful economic policies generated widespread discontent, which the government fought against by force. In this situation, various political currents arose, both right and left, and ferment began in the armed forces. In 1990-1991, anti-government protests widened, culminating in a general strike on November 7, 1991. Inspired by the popular upsurge, patriotic elements among junior officers rallied under the leadership of Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Chavez. On February 4, 1992, Chávez spearheaded a failed coup attempt.

Fearing a second coup attempt, the leaders of the DD and KOPEI parties formed the National Unity government in April 1992, but three months later KOPEI representatives withdrew from the cabinet. The second, also unsuccessful, coup attempt was made on November 27 of the same year. There has been some economic recovery since 1990, partly as a result of hectic privatization. In 1991, economic growth reached 10%, and in 1992 - 9%. However, by the end of 1992, growth had slowed, and inflation remained at 30%. In March 1993, Venezuela's attorney general asked the Supreme Court to bring the president to trial on charges of embezzling $ 17 million in public funds. The court made a positive decision, and in May 1993, the National Congress decided to remove Peres from the duties of head of state, which were transferred to the interim president.

In December 1993, the next presidential election was held, which was won by Rafael Caldera Rodriguez. This elderly man displeased the leadership of his own party, KOPEI, by supporting and encouraging the political activity of the military in his speeches and statements. In June 1993, he was expelled from the party because he insisted on running for president, competing with the designated KOPEI candidate. As a result, he emerged as an independent candidate, receiving support from the Convergence coalition, which united small parties of the left or populist persuasion. However, DD and KOPEI, forced to unite in the legislative field, retained a majority in Congress.

When Caldera Rodriguez took office in early 1994, he was faced with the thankless task of meeting conflicting demands - on the one hand, from his impoverished and disenchanted voters, and on the other, investors and creditors who could plunge the country into an even deeper economic crisis. by delaying payments or withdrawing capital investments from banks. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the National Congress (in which agreement was reached between the three main parties - DD, KOPEI and IAS) granted emergency powers to the new president to carry out tax reforms and a number of other economic measures.

However, the crisis continued to deepen. There was an outflow of capital, a number of banks declared their insolvency. Criminality rose sharply, in overcrowded prisons every now and then there were prison riots. Ex-President Jaime Lusinci, accused of corruption in 1993, was acquitted, but former President Perez was placed under house arrest, and in 1996, the Supreme Court found him guilty of misappropriating public funds. In 1995, both houses of Congress passed a law allowing foreign multinational companies to participate in the oil sector. The coalition supporting the president failed in municipal and local elections. The economic crisis continued, and despite popular protests in the form of mass demonstrations, in 1996, Caldera Rodriguez agreed to the IMF's demands and began restructuring the economy, securing loans of $ 1.4 billion. New loans were received from the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, and private investment increased sharply. All of these capital inflows, along with a short-term rise in oil prices, helped to overcome the economic downturn, followed by an upturn in 1997.

Meanwhile, Hugo Chávez, who spent two years in prison after his failed military coup attempt, was released and began building his own electorate, seeking support from mainly the poor. His supporters united in the so-called "Fifth Republic Movement" (DPR). Chavez's candidacy for the presidential elections in December 1998 was supported, in addition to the DPR, by the IAU and a coalition of small left-wing groups.

In the parliamentary elections in November 1998, the Patriotic Pole coalition, which supported Chávez, as part of his Fifth Republic Movement (DPR), the Movement to Socialism (MAS), the Motherland for All and other groups party, won about 34% of the vote and won 76 of 189 seats in The Chamber of Deputies and 17 of the 48 Senate seats. DD remained the largest of the individual parties (55 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 19 in the Senate). KOPEI received only 27 deputy and 7 senate seats. In the elections for governors of the states and the capital district, the Patriotic Pole and DD each won 8 posts, KOPEI - 5. The presidential elections that followed in December 1998 turned out to be a real political earthquake. They demonstrated the decline of the influence of DD and KOPEI, which dominated the country for almost 40 years. Their rule resulted in corruption, increased poverty and a sharp deterioration in basic public services, including health and education. Despite Venezuela's oil wealth, more than 80% of the population lived in poverty, 40% even below the subsistence level.

Hugo Chavez's reign

In the wake of general discontent, the victory in the presidential election was won by Hugo Chavez (56.2% of the vote), who far surpassed his rivals - banker and former governor Enrique Salas Roemer (39.9%) and "Miss Universe 1981" Irene Saez (2.8% ). The traditional parties DD and KOPEI refused to nominate their own candidates and expressed support for Salas. After taking office on February 2, 1999, Hugo Chávez refused to swear an oath on the 1961 constitution, declaring it "dead." He announced his intention to achieve the adoption of a new constitution, which was supposed to provide for a deep reform of the entire political, legal and economic system, on the fight against poverty and corruption. Chavez announced the start of a "peaceful revolution" and threatened to dissolve the Congress and the Supreme Court if they resisted the planned reforms. Chavez's socio-economic policy did not envisage a fundamental rejection of market mechanisms, the "austerity" regime and economic orientation towards the United States, did not imply the nationalization of the main industries and finance.

At the same time, the new authorities sought to increase government interference in the economic and social sphere. Chavez put into effect the "Bolivar Plan 2000", according to which 70 thousand military personnel and 80 thousand civil servants were sent to projects for infrastructure development, health care, agricultural education and road construction. At the same time, the government continued the course of further cuts in government spending, including for social needs, limited the increase in wages in the public sector, so that it lagged significantly behind the growth of inflation, introduced a tax on banking operations, etc. The coming to power of Chavez led to a sharp polarization of political forces. A bitter struggle broke out between his authoritarian regime and the old party, legal, business and trade union elites. The President immediately launched an offensive against the legislative and judicial authorities of Venezuela. On February 17, 1999, he demanded the adoption of a law granting him emergency powers. At the end of March, Congress was forced to recognize the president's rights to legislative measures to improve the budget for a period of 180 days, and on April 15 - after Chavez's threats to declare a state of emergency - additional emergency powers in the field of the economy.

In April 1999, Chávez held a referendum, during which 90% of the participants (only 47% of the voters voted) spoke in favor of convening a Constituent Assembly to develop a new constitution for the country. Elections to the assembly took place in July, 120 of the 128 seats (three more seats were reserved for Indian communities) were won by the president’s supporters, and he was re-confirmed in office. The Supreme Court tried to limit the powers of the Constituent Assembly, ruling that it had no right to dissolve democratically elected bodies. However, on August 12, the assembly, ignoring the opinion of the courts, announced that it had assumed emergency powers to reform state bodies, and on August 19, it introduced a "state of emergency" in the field of justice. It also decided to investigate the activities of all judicial authorities in the country, including the Supreme Court, and to purge them of those involved in corruption. After that, the resistance of the Supreme Court was broken, and its chairman Cecilia Sosa Gomez resigned. The authorities have opened cases against 75 judges at various levels on charges of abuse of office and corruption.

Now the main blow of the Chavez government was directed at the oppositional National Congress. On August 25, 1999, the Constituent Assembly ruled to strip Congress of legislative powers; its meetings were banned and a commission was appointed to investigate the activities of deputies and senators. The acuteness of the conflict was mitigated by the mediation of the Catholic Church (Hugo Chavez himself is a deeply religious Catholic). According to the compromise reached, the Congress was able to resume its meetings on October 1, 1999, but was essentially forced to accept its own powerless position. The Supreme Court dismissed the lawsuit of the parliamentarians, who sought the repeal of the emergency laws passed by the Constituent Assembly. Finally, both the assembly and the Congress approved the text of the new constitution of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and on December 15, it was approved by a popular referendum. The provisions contained in the text, providing for the expansion of state intervention in the economy, caused discontent among business organizations.
Following the entry into force of the constitution in January 2000, the Constituent Assembly was dissolved and replaced by an interim congressional committee until a new election.

The next conflict arose between the Chávez government and the press. The authorities ordered the closure of an opposition television magazine, sparking violent protests from journalists who accused the regime of violating press freedom. Venezuela's private television channels have openly opposed the president. The presidential elections on July 30, 2000, were won by a large margin by Hugo Chavez, who received more than 59% of the vote and began his new term on August 19. The president's main rival this time was his former comrade-in-arms in the 1992 military uprising, Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Arias Cardenas, who has now gone over to opposition against Chávez. Having united around himself opponents of the incumbent president, Arias Cardenas collected more than 37% of the vote. 3% went to another opposition candidate, Claudio Fermina. The Patriotic Pole also won parliamentary and gubernatorial elections, winning 99 seats in the National Assembly and 13 governorships.

In the field of foreign policy, Chavez sought to expand contacts with oil-producing countries and establish cooperation with Cuba, but at the same time did not want to deteriorate relations with the United States, the main consumer of Venezuelan oil. Throughout 2001, the confrontation between President Chavez and his opponents from among the old elites grew, and the next year turned into open confrontation. The discontent of some of the highest military circles increased, some of which publicly called on Chavez to resign. In April 2002, the government replaced the entire leadership of the state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela, in response to opposition leaders of the Venezuelan Confederation of Workers calling for an indefinite general strike. The speech of the oil workers and trade unions was supported by the unions of entrepreneurs. After clashes broke out in Caracas between hundreds of thousands of supporters and opponents of the president, during which there were dozens of killed and wounded, the commanders of the military branches staged a military coup on April 11. Chavez was forced to resign, after which he was arrested. At the head of the transitional government, the rebel generals put President of the Venezuelan Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry and Associations (the largest association of entrepreneurs), Pedro Carmona. However, most of the army remained loyal to the president, in addition, many hundreds of thousands of his supporters took to the streets, who were mobilized by the Bolivarian Committees, mainly in the poor quarters of the cities. In a counter-coup, Chávez returned to power and his leading opponents were arrested.

The failure of the April coup did not end the political crisis in Venezuela. During the year, the opposition, taking advantage of mounting economic difficulties and inflation, organized four general strikes against the government of President Chávez. The largest of them began in early December 2002, and lasted more than 2 months. The protests were organized by the leaders of the trade union Confederation of Workers of Venezuela and the Democratic Coordination political bloc. They demanded the resignation of Chavez and a referendum on his presidency. But this strike (like the previous one, in October 2003) ended in failure.

After becoming President Hugo Chavez, he gradually moved away from the policy of good neighborliness with the United States and wanted to carry out the so-called "Bolivarian Revolution" in the country, named after his idol, the liberator of South America, Simon Bolivar. Consistent Bolivarianism is one of the hallmarks of Chavez's rule. Bolivarianism is a leftist political movement that aims to unite the countries of Latin America into one state based on people's democratic and anti-capitalist values \u200b\u200b(democratic socialism). The ideology of this movement lies in the struggle against the global dominance of the United States and American corporations, for the establishment of economic sovereignty (anti-imperialism), economic self-sufficiency (which naturally became one of the reasons for antagonism), the fight against corruption, direct democracy - all decisions in the country must be made with participation of the people. In foreign policy, Chavez took a firm anti-American stance.

Countries:
Here are the states and the largest cities in Venezuela.

Venezuela

State in the north of South America. The population of Venezuela is 27,635,743 people. Venezuela is administratively divided into 23 states, 1 federal district and 1 separate administrative territorial unit of federal possession, which includes most of the islands belonging to Venezuela. The capital is Caracas. The area of \u200b\u200bthe territory is 916 445 km ².

Federal District of Venezuela

Territorial unit of Venezuela including the capital of Venezuela - the city of Caracas. Founded in 1999. Area - 433 km². Population - 1 943 901 people.

Cities:

• Caracas - capital of Venezuela. The city, together with the adjacent territory, is allocated to the federal capital district, the area of \u200b\u200bwhich is 1900 km². The population is 3,051,000 people.

Federal possessions of Venezuela

A separate administrative-territorial unit of Venezuela, uniting most of the islands belonging to it (12 island groups) in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Venezuela. The administrative center is the Los Roques archipelago. The population is 2,155 people. The total area of \u200b\u200bthe territory is 342 km².

Group of islands

• Los Monges archipelago
• La Tortuga Island
• La Sola Island
• Los Testigos Archipelago
• Los Frailes Archipelago
• Patos island
• Los Roques archipelago
• La Blanquilla Island
• Los Hermanos Islands
• Orchila island
• Las Aves archipelago
• Aves Island

States

Amazonas

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. The administrative center of the state is the city of Puerto Ayacucho. Until the beginning of the 20th century, the administrative center was the city of San Fernando de Atabapo. The state's name comes from the Amazon River that flows here. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 180 145 km², the population is 146 480 people. The most Indian state of Venezuela. Indians make up half of the state's population.

Cities:

• Puerto Ayacucho - since 1928, the capital of the Venezuelan state of Amazonas. The city with a population of 80 thousand inhabitants is located on the Orinoco River.

Anzoategui

The administrative center of the state is the city of Barcelona. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 43,300 km², the population is 1,469,747 people.

Cities:

• Barcelona - capital of the Venezuelan state of Anzoategui. The population is 424 819 inhabitants.
• Anaco - city \u200b\u200bof the Venezuelan state of Anzoategui. The city is located near a natural gas field and lives primarily at the expense of the state oil and gas company PDVSA. Income in this region is the largest in Latin America. They have a decisive influence on the economic orientation of the region. The population is 124 431 people.

Apure

State of Venezuela. It got its name in honor of the river of the same name. The administrative center of the state is the city of San Fernando de Apure. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 76,500 km², the population is 459,025 people.

Cities:

• San Fernando de Apure - locality in Venezuela, capital of the state of Apure.

Aragua

State in the north of Venezuela. The area is 7014 km². The administrative center is the city of Maracay. The area is 7,014 km².

Cities:

• Maracay - city \u200b\u200bin the north of Venezuela. The capital and largest city of the state of Aragua. Population - 396 thousand inhabitants. The city is located 25 km from the Caribbean coast, from which it is separated by a mountain range, 80 km west of Caracas, 3 km east of Lake Valencia.

Barinas

State of Venezuela. The administrative center of the state is the city of Barinas. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 35,200 km², the population is 816,264 people.

Cities:

• Barinas - capital of the Venezuelan state of Barinas. The population is 271,535 inhabitants.
• Barrancas - city \u200b\u200band municipality in northeastern Colombia, in the department of Guajira. The population is 32,254 people.

Bolivar

State in the southeast of Venezuela. The area is 238,000 km². The population is 1,410,964 people.

Cities:

• Ciudad Bolivar - city \u200b\u200bin Venezuela. The capital of the state of Bolivar. Population - 338 thousand inhabitants, the second largest city in the state after Ciudad Guayana. The city is located on the right bank of the Orinoco River, 330 km from its mouth, 450 km southeast of Caracas.

Carabobo

One of the 23 states of Venezuela, located in the north of the country, approximately 2 hours from Caracas. The administrative center of the state is the city of Valencia, which is the main industrial center of the country. The state covers an area of \u200b\u200b4,650 km² and a population of 2,245,744 people.

Cities:

• Valencia - city \u200b\u200bin the north of Venezuela. The capital and largest city of the state of Carabobo. Population - 830 thousand inhabitants (1.3 million within the urban agglomeration). The city is located 30 km from the Caribbean coast (port of Puerto Cabello), 125 km west of Caracas, on an elevation 11 km west of Lake Valencia.
• Guacara - a city in Venezuela, the state of Carabobo, the center of the city district of the same name. Population 142,227 people.
• Los Guayos - a city in Venezuela, the center of the eponymous urban district, located in the metropolitan area of \u200b\u200bValencia. Population - 30 thousand inhabitants.
• Puerto Cabello - city \u200b\u200bin Venezuela, Carabobo state. Population - 173 thousand inhabitants. The city is located on the shores of the Triste Gulf of the Caribbean Sea, 30 km north of the state capital of Valencia.

Cohedes

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state of Cohedes is divided into 9 municipalities, which in total consist of 15 districts. The population is 323,165 people. Area 14 800 km².

Cities:

• San Carlos - the administrative center of the state of Cohedes.

Delta Amakuro

One of the 23 states of Venezuela, located in the northeast of the country. Delta Amakuro State is divided into 4 municipalities, which in total consist of 22 districts. The population is 167,676 people.

Cities:

• Tucupita - administrative center of the state of Delta Amakuro.

Falcon

State in Venezuela. The area is 24 800 km². Population - 902 847 people. The state is named after President Juan Falcón. The administrative center is the city of Koro. The area of \u200b\u200bthe territory is 24 800 km².

Cities:

• Corot - city \u200b\u200bin the northwest of Venezuela, the administrative center and largest city in the state of Falcon.
  Population - 174 thousand inhabitants. The city is located on a sandy plain at the base of the Paraguana Peninsula. The port of La Vela de Coro on the Caribbean coast is located 12 km north-east of the city center.

Guarico

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. The administrative center of the state is the city of San Juan de los Morros. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 64 986 km², the population is 747 739 people.

Cities:

• San Juan de los Morros - city \u200b\u200bin central Venezuela, capital of the state of Guarico. San Juan de los Morros is the fourth largest city in Venezuela, but the population density is much lower. According to the 2001 census, the population of the city was 103 706 people.

Lara

State in the northwest of Venezuela. The area is 19 800 km². Population - 1,774,867 people. The administrative center is the city of Barquisimeto.

Cities:

• Barquisimeto - city \u200b\u200bin northwest Venezuela, capital and largest city of the state of Lara.
  Population - 1,018,900 inhabitants. Located in the mountain valley of the Cardillera de Merida ridge, 260 km west of Caracas, with which it is connected by rail and highway.
• El Tokuyo - city \u200b\u200bin Venezuela, in Lara. Population - 41 thousand inhabitants. This city is one of the oldest cities in Venezuela.

Merida

A state in the west of Venezuela in the Andes. The area is 11,300 km². Population - 828 592 people. The administrative center is the city of Merida, located at an altitude of 1630 m above sea level.

Cities:

• Merida - city \u200b\u200bin the west of Venezuela. The capital and largest city of the state of Merida. The population is about 300 thousand inhabitants, with the suburbs - more than 500 thousand.
• Ejido - it is the third largest city in the state of Merida. Population - 120,000 people. Together with the cities of Tabai and Merida, it forms the Greater Merida agglomeration, in which more than 350,000 people live. Ejido is the administrative center of the municipality of Campo Elias.
• Bayladores - city \u200b\u200bwith adjoining territory in Venezuela. The administrative center of the municipality of Rivas Davila. Population - 16 001 people, employed mainly in agriculture and tourism.

Miranda

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. Enrique Capriles Radonski - Governor. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 7950 km², the population is 2 675 165 people.

Cities:

• Los Teques - administrative center of the state of Miranda.

Monagas

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. The administrative center of the state is the city of Maturin. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 28 930 km², the population is 905 443 people.

Cities:

• Maturin - city \u200b\u200bin Venezuela. The city of Maturin is the administrative center of the Venezuelan state of Monagas. The population is 283,318 people. It is located at an altitude of 67 meters above sea level.

Nueva Esparta

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. Consists of 3 islands: Margarita, Coche and Cubagua. The administrative center of the state - the city of La Asuncion - is located on Margarita Island. Population 491 610 people. The area of \u200b\u200bthe territory is 1,150 km².

Cities:

• La Asuncion - city \u200b\u200bin Venezuela, the administrative center of the state of Nueva Esparta. Located on Margarita Island, north of the city of Porlamar. Population - 36 806 thousand inhabitants.

Portuguese

State in the northwest of Venezuela. The area is 15 200 km². Population - 876 496 people. The administrative center is the city of Guanare.

Cities:

• Guanare - city \u200b\u200bin the north-west of Venezuela, part of the state of Portugal, municipality of Guanare. Population - 113,000 people.

Sucre

State in the north of Venezuela. The area is 11 800 km². Population 896,291 inhabitants. The administrative center of the state is the city of Kumana.

Cities:

• Kumana - city \u200b\u200bin the north-east of Venezuela. The capital and largest city of the state of Sucre.
  Population - 270 thousand inhabitants. The city is located on the shores of the Caribbean Sea, at the eastern entrance to Cariacco Bay, 300 km east of Caracas, northeast of the cities of Barcelona and Puerto la Cruz.

Tachira

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state's name comes from "tachure", the plant's name in the Chibcha language. The administrative center of the state is the city of San Cristobal. The area of \u200b\u200bthe territory is 11,100 km². The population is 1 168 908 people.

Cities:

• San Cristobal - a city in the west of Venezuela, the capital and largest city of the state of Tachira. Population - 307 thousand inhabitants. The city is located on the eastern slopes of the southern part of the Cordillera de Merida ridge, which is part of the Andes mountain system.

Trujillo

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 7 400 km², the population is 686 367 people.

Cities:

• Trujillo - administrative center of the state of Trujillo.

Yarakuy

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. Located in the north of the country and bordered by the federal states of Falcón, Lara, Portuguesa, Cojedes and Carabobo. The administrative center of the state is the city of San Felipe. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 7 100 km², the population is 600 852 people.

Cities:

• San Felipe - the capital of the Venezuelan state of Yaracuy. The population is 103,121 inhabitants. The city is the seat of the Catholic Diocese of San Felipe.

Vargas

State of Venezuela. The administrative center of the state is the city of La Guaira. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 1 496 km², the population is 352 920 people.

Cities:

• La Guaira - city \u200b\u200bin the north of the Republic of Venezuela. It is the capital of the seaside state of Vargas. Population 275,000 people.

Zulia

One of the 23 states of Venezuela. The administrative center of the state is the city of Maracaibo. The area of \u200b\u200bthe state is 63 100 km², the population is 3 704 404 people.

Cities:

• Maracaibo - city \u200b\u200bin the northwest of Venezuela, capital of the state of Zulia. Population - 1,220,000 inhabitants, the second largest city in the country after Caracas.