Venezuela

Venezuela is a nation in South America with a long northern border on the Caribbean Sea. Venezuela shares land borders with Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south and Colombia to the west.

In June 2009, Venezuela's Health Ministry banned sales of Coca-Cola Zero, citing the use of sodium cyclamate, a dangerous artificial sweetener. Coca-Cola disputes the claim, saying only Acesulfame-K and Aspartame are used to sweeten Coca-Cola Zero.Salon: Venezuela: Coca-Cola Zero has harmful sweetener (June 12, 2009)

1. Capital: Caracas
2. Government: Federal RepublicCIA World Factbook: Venezuela - Government
3. Population: 26,414,816 (July 2008 est.)CIA World Factbook: Venezuela - People
4. Currency: Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte (VEF)
5. Calling code: +58
6. Official language: Spanish
7. Highest point: Pico Bolivar (5007 m)CIA World Factobook: Venezuela - Geography
8. Religion: Roman CatholicNational Geographic: Venezuela
9. Climate: Semi-arid with dry vegetation in the lowlands, hot tropical climate along the mountain areasVenezuela A Paradise: Geography
10. Contains some of the largest oil and natural gas reserves in the worldEnergy Information Administration: Venezuela Background
11. One of the oldest democracies in South AmericaNational Geographic: Venezuela

Venezuela is located close to the equator and has a warm, tropical climate. Most of the nation's inhabitants live in cities and urban environments located on the northern coast, such as the capital Caracas. Southern Venezuela contains the northern reaches of the Amazon Rainforest; Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, is located in Amazonian Venezuela.

Venezuela was formerly part of the Spanish Empire, and achieved its independence as part of Gran Colombia, a region that also comprised the present-day nations of Ecuador, Colombia, Panama. Venezuela broke away from Gran Colombia in 1830 to become an independent nation. In recent years, the leader of Venezuela, President Hugo Chavez, has nationalized key industries in the country and opposed United States military activities in Iraq and elsewhere.

In February 2009, voters in Venezuela approved a constitutional referendum that eliminates term limits for Venezuelan leaders. The decision will allow Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to run for a third term in office when his current term expires in 2012.BBC News: Tough times ahead for Hugo Chavez (February 16, 2009)

• VenezuelaTuya.com: Map of Venezuela | Venezuela Yours..Geography

• Geographia: Venezuela

• WorldAtlas.com: Venezuela Map

• Wikipedia: Geography of Venezuela

• Portals to the World: Geography and Environment : Venezuela

• Google Maps: Venezuela

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