VENEZUELA: About Venezuela

Christopher Columbus was the first European to arrive in the region of Venezuela. He discovered the region during his third expedition of the New World in 1498. Upon his arrival, he found that several groups of tribes like Arawak, the Carib, and Chibcha Indians were inhabiting the land.

Spanish explorers came in 1521 and colonized the northeastern coast. By 1522, Nueva Toledo became the first Spanish settlement in South America. It was the Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda who named the region Venezuela, which means "Little Venice," after seeing houses built on stilts at Lake Maracaibo.

In 1567, Caracas, the capital city, was founded.

During the late 1700s, movements for independence against the Spanish rule started to begin. Venezuela was a neglected colony with much of its natural resources exploited by Spain. In 1810, Venezuelan independence leaders took advantage of Napoleon Bonaparte's invasion of Spain and declared independence on July 5, 1811. On that precise day, the Congress of Venezuelan provinces signed the Venezuelan Declaration of Independence. However, the Act met with resistance from the Spanish leaders, leading to the Venezuelan War of Independence.

Liberation came in 1821 when Simon Bolivar won the Battle of Caraboro, freeing several Spanish colonies (Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru) in South America. Bolivar formed the republic of Gran Colombia, which included Venezuela, Colombia, northern Peru, Ecuador, Panama, northwest Brazil, and western Guyana. The republic was short-lived and Venezuela became a separate independent nation in 1830.

Geography
Venezuela lies on the northern coast of South America. It has a total of 2,800 km of coastline in the north and its territory includes a number of islands in the Caribbean as well as in its northeast border facing the Atlantic Ocean. The land is divided into four regions: the wide Orinoco plains in central Venezuela, the northern mountains, the Maracaibo lowlands in the northwest, and the Guiana highlands in the southeast.

Venezuela is bordered by Colombia to the West, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south. From peaks to savanna grasslands and Caribbean coastline to flat-topped mountains, Venezuela is known for its geographical diversity. The country also has the highest waterfall in the world. This tropical country also has a vast range of flora and fauna.

While Pico Bolivar is the highest point at 16,427 ft. (5,007 m), the Caribbean Sea (0 ft) is the lowest point.

Politics
Venezuela is a federal presidential republic governed by a Constitution. The President is the chief executive, head of state, head of government, and head of a dominant-party system. The United Socialist Party of Venezuela is the dominant party.

While the President exercises the executive power, the legislative power lies with the 165-member National Assembly.

Economy
Venezuelan economy remains overtly dependent on revenue earned from oil exports, which account for about 96% of total export earnings. In 2014, the country witnessed a 4% contraction in its GDP. According to the IMF, the GDP is likely to shrink by another 7% in 2015 and inflation may reach 80%. President Nicolas Maduro has increased state control over the economy. However, rigid labor regulations and price controls have forced multinational firms to shut down or scale down their Venezuelan operations.

Travel
Venezuela is rich in natural resources but its economic dependence on oil exportation has led to the neglect of tourism industry. Because of this, the tourist infrastructure in Venezuela is not at par with the international standard. However, the tourism sector is taking action towards achieving the goal of attracting at least one million foreign travelers each year.

Venezuela is endowed with historic cities. Caracas,the capital city, is a progressive and multi-ethnic city that is known for a thriving nightlife, premier restaurants, museums, and historic areas. Among the must-visit destinations are Plaza Bolivar, The Cathedral, Government Palace, and the City Hall.

Canaima National Park is Venezuela's most popular tourist destination, mainly due to the Angel Falls - the highest waterfall in the world. At 1002 meters, it is 19 times higher than the Niagara Falls. The park itself totals 30,000 square kilometers, where tourists can spot rare and interesting flora and fauna.

Margarita Island, a favorite among international tourists, is located on the east of Caracas. It has a vast coastline packed with lagoons and beaches. It's a perfect destination for surfers and sunbathers. The eastern and the most developed part of Margarita Island has an array of clubs, hotels, duty-free shopping hubs, and colonial architecture. On its west lies the arid mountains.

Education
Venezuela sets a high standard of education. Its literacy rate is 96.3%, which is higher than most South American countries. However, poverty in the rural areas forces children to skip school and contribute as a breadwinner for the family.

Students in primary school attend classes in shifts: either from early morning to 1:30 in the afternoon, or early afternoon till 6 in the evening.

Education in Venezuela starts in preschool and the first nine years of formal education is compulsory. Higher education in public universities is free and there are over 90 institutions in the entire country.

Famous Venezuelans
Hugo Chavez- A "21st century socialist" and an erstwhile President of Venezuela.
Patricia Velasquez - Venezuelan-born Hollywood actress with movies like Beowulf, The Mummy, and Almighty Thor to her credit.

Trivia
- Venezuela was the biggest oil exporter in the world in the early 1900s. In fact, it is one of the founding members of the OPEC.
- Unlike most other South American countries, Venezuela's most popular sport is baseball.
- Most of the Miss Universe and Miss World winners are from Venezuela.
- Venezuela owes its nickname, 'Land of Grace', to Christopher Columbus.
- Venezuela is home to Capybara, the largest rodent of the world.

VENEZUELA: President Nicolas Maduro Authorizes Tourism Industry To Charge In Dollars

President Nicolas Maduro signed the latest exchange agreement Monday authorizing the tourism sector to charge in dollars. The agreement, No. 36, will take effect immediately, announced Maduro from Miraflores Palace in Caracas via a live radio and television broadcast.

The latest tourism agreement now requires service providers to retain 40 percent of foreign currency earnings while 60 percent will be sold to the Central Bank of Venezuela at the floating DICOM rate. The agreement stipulates that the 40 percent should be invested in improvements and upkeep for the service provider.

Meanwhile, Tourism Minister Marlenys Contreras and Arnaldo Añes, board member of Avior Airlines, announced air-fleet expansion and new transatlantic travel routes for 2017. The expansion will see the Venezuelan private carrier acquire six new Airbus 340-300 models which have a capacity for 255 passengers. The latest additions to the air-fleet are a USD $150 million investment, confirmed Añes.

"The first [planes] have arrived and we are in the process of certifying the transatlantic routes to Portugal and Italy," explained Añes. He continued that the new planes will also connect Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state to Colombian destinations, Medellín and Bogotá. Additionally, they will open a route to Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Contreras also announced that Venezuela will host the Annual Meeting of the World Tourism Organization for Sustainable Tourism in addition to the Annual Meeting of the Association of Caribbean States in 2017. "We have a country that offers different products: sun and beach, mountains, plains, jungle and the highest and longest cable car in the world in Merida state,” Contreras highlighted.

Last week, the Bolivarian government inaugurated the first National Tourism University (UNATUR) in Anzoátegui state in the government’s growing initiative to boost the tourism industry. The latest tourism institution is also one of the many projects part of the government’s campaign to diversify the national economy.

VENEZUELA: Black Market Dollars Make Tourism Very Cheap

Tourists check their equipment before entering the water during a snorkelling class, on a beach in the Los Roques archipelago.

Hardy travellers undeterred by tales – real and exaggerated – of crime and shortages are finding Venezuela an absurdly cheap destination. Thanks to exchange controls skewing the economy in favour of anyone with foreign currency, you could hire a boat to a Caribbean island for less than £10 ($15) a day trek through Andean mountains or Amazon jungle for a whole week, with porters, for just over £80, go paragliding for about a tenner,stay in a decent hostel at a popular beach for about £3 a night stay in a decent hostel at a popular beach for about £3 a night or have a three-course meal with wine for about £6.50.

"It's crazy! This beer is costing me just a few pennies," said British tourist Matthew Napier, 35, indicating a local Polar beer while sitting on a stunning white sand beach in the Los Roques archipelago in the Caribbean. Even at a bumped-up 90 bolivars due to the exclusive island location, a beer here costs just 15 pence at the black market currency exchange rate obtained by canny foreigners.

Angel Falls in Venezuela, the world's highest uninterrupted waterfall at 979m

Many tourists look for not-so-surreptitious money-changers as soon as they land in Venezuela, or make arrangements ahead.

The official exchange rate is about six bolivars to one US dollar, but Venezuela's spiralling inflation makes locals desperate to get rid of their bolivars; rates of 400 to one are not unheard of.

Venezuela's largest denomination note is 100 bolivars (officially valued at about $15, but worth as little as 25 cents on the black market).

Amazed at the sheer quantity of notes they receive, visitors find where to keep them the biggest problem. "You simply can't carry enough cash with you, that's the main restriction to spending!" said Napier, adding he "felt like a drug-dealer" after wiring money in advance to Panama in order to be given bolivars by a contact in Venezuela.

In contrast with tourists, Venezuelans' purchasing power has fallen. Wage rises cannot match the inflation rate, which was 68% in 2014. It is widely forecast to hit triple digits this year.

Shopping for basic food and goods has become a daily struggle for many locals – let alone the sort of exotic holidays foreigners enjoy in their country.

Venezuelans Struggling To Buy Chicken At A Super Market

Unsurprisingly, there is a buzz about Venezuela on the backpackers' circuit. Young budget travellers recommend it as one of the world's cheapest spots – and post photos of themselves with huge wads of cash to prove it.

Changing money on dodgy corners, and once counting hundreds of bills in a bathroom, Hatton's itinerary included three internal flights and two guided trekking tours for his $300.

"You pay $1 and you get a really nice meal. If you shell out $20, you're paragliding in the morning and kayaking in the afternoon," said Hatton.

Despite the currency bonanza, tourists are hardly flocking to Venezuela. There were just under one million arrivals last year, four times fewer than neighbouring Colombia which is successfully marketing itself despite decades of drug wars and a Marxist insurgency.

In Venezuela, it's the frightening level of crime that puts people off, plus the acute shortages of basic products. "You're bombarded with this idea you can't go out on the street," said Juan Suso from Argentina, who ignored advice and spent a few days walking round Caracas before going to Los Roques.

Margarita Island, in the Caribbean

"People should come. It's so cheap, it's ridiculous. Even with our devalued currency in Argentina, it still works out such good value," he said, adding that meals out in Caracas were a quarter of the cost in Buenos Aires.

Back at Los Roques, a group of Argentinian pensioners were off to snorkel in the shallows with a local guide, after a boat-ride across azure waters from the island where they were staying. Including breakfast and some mid-morning drinks in a cooler, their total layout that morning was minimal.

"We're in paradise for $20!" shouted one, before ducking under the water.