Flag Description

three equal horizontal bands of yellow (top), blue, and red with the coat of arms on the hoist side of the yellow band and an arc of eight white five-pointed stars centered in the blue band; the flag retains the three equal horizontal bands and three main colors of the banner of Gran Colombia, the South American republic that broke up in 1830; yellow is interpreted as standing for the riches of the land, blue for the courage of its people, and red for the blood shed in attaining independence; the seven stars on the original flag represented the seven provinces in Venezuela that united in the war of independence; in 2006, then President Hugo CHAVEZ ordered an eighth star added to the star arc - a decision that sparked much controversy - to conform with the flag proclaimed by Simon Bolivar in 1827 and to represent the province of Guayana

Background:Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president from 1999 to 2013, sought to implement his "21st Century Socialism," which purported to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking capitalist globalization and existing democratic institutions. His hand-picked successor, President Nicolas MADURO, continues CHAVEZ's socialist programs. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, rampant violent crime, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, foreign exchange controls that discourage private-sector investment, high inflation, a decline in the quality of fundamental houman rights, and widespread scarcity of consumer goods.

Total Area: 912,050 sq km

Land Area:882,050 sq km

Water Area:30,000 sq km

Land Boundries Total:5,267 km

Border Countries:Brazil 2,137 km, Colombia 2,341 km, Guyana 789 km

Coastline:2,800 km

Lowest Point:Caribbean Sea 0 m

Highest Point:Pico Bolivar 5,007 m

Population:28,868,486 (July 2014 est.)

Population Growth Rate:1.42% (2014 est.)

Religion:nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%

Literacy(%):0.955

Literacy(%) Male:0.957

Literacy(%) Female:95.4% (2009 est.)

Independence Day:5 July 1811 (from Spain)

National Holiday:Independence Day, 5 July (1811)

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