Venezuela Languages Venezuela Languages Online Quiz Venezuela Languages Venezuela Languages feature 40 different languages including Spanish, which is the official language of Venezuela. The indigenous languages though are on the verge of being extinct are still used by a few people residing in Venezuela. Languages of Venezuela are not always formally spoken, as Venezuelans mostly prefer speaking informally. The foreign languages spoken in Venezuela are Italian, Chinese, Portuguese, Arabic and English. Traditional Languages in Venezuela Aleman Coloniero Language, Venezuela, spoken in Colonia Tovar is a Indo-European language. It is a dialect, which is a part of the Low Alemannic branch of German. Like other Alemannic languages, Aleman Coloniero Language of Venezuela is not mutually intelligible with Standard German. Aleman Coloniero Language in Venezuela is not much widely spoken. The German descendants, who migrated to Venezuela in 1843 from the Black Forest region of Southern Baden mainly speak this language. Thus, Aleman Coloniero Language, Venezuela, being one of the Venezuela Languages, has several words that have been taken from Spanish. Aleman Coloniero Language of Venezuela has a touch of the other dialects of South Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

Cariban Languages in Venezuela are widely spoken by the people living in the northern side of South- America. The other regions where Cariban Languages are spoken are the Maracaibo region, Colombian Andes and the northern part of the Amazon river. Cariban Languages in Venezuelawere initiated by a south-American family. The Cariban language family is famous all over the world for "Hixkaryana" language. This indigenous family of Venezuela is related to Tupi and Macro-Je languages. There are almost 25 to 40 Cariban languages spoken in the country of Venezuela. Cariban languages in Venezuela came into existence before the Spanish language gained popularity. Much before the Spanish invaders occupied the land of Venezuela, the Caribs took over the region of the Lesser Antilles. Cariban languages did not reach to the greater Antilles as well as the Bahama region. Maku language Venezuela refers to the Maku speech that is spoken in the regions around Uraricera river and Roraima. The other places where Maku language is widely spoken are Padamo and the bordering regions of Venezuela. The Makus are an ethnic tribe who live on hunting wild animals. The Maku people are the originators of Maku language.

They dwell in the regions of Hupda, Yuhup and Vaupes. The Maku language is an uncategorized language that is spoken outside the area of Nadeb. Maku language is less popular than the other tribal languages in Venezuela. The tribal Maku men and women do not encourage spreading of their language to other tribal groups. Thus,Maku language Venezuela remains largely confined to the areas where the Makus live. Nheegate Language -The Yeral, Tupi, Geral, Waengatue tribesmen are the largest speakers of Nheengatu Language, Venezuela. These ethnic groups dwell in the regions of Southern Venezuela. Nheengatu Language of Venezuela is also called "lingua geral da Amazonia"in Spanish and "lingua geral Amazonica" in Portuguese. Almost 2,000 people speak the Nheengatu language. Nheengatu language in Venezuela is an Amerindian language that hails from the Tupi-Guarani family. The various ethnic red-Indian tribes commonly use this language for communication. Nheengatu language is used mainly by the rural population of Venezuela.

Nheengatu is also widely used by those tribes, who have lost their original language that represented their indigenous identity. Panare language of Venezuela has various sub-accents. The characteristic trait of Panare language is that the syllables end with a nasal tone. All the vowels in this language are nasalized. Some vowels have a weak nasal sound and the others are strongly nasalized. The language consists of 25 segments. The phonetic sounds of the Panare language in Venezuela is flexible in nature. The vowels have many realizations. Venezuela - Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette Venezuela Guide Award-Winning Culture Guides 80+ country-specific guides covering country characteristics, the people, language, culture, etiquette, business protocol, communication styles and much more .

Venezuela Guide A Look at Venezuelan Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette Facts and Statistics Location: Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana Capital: Caracas Climate: tropical; hot, humid; more moderate in highlands Population: 28,868,486 (2014 est.) Ethnic Make-up: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people Religions: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2% Languages in Venezuela About 40 languages are spoken in Venezuela. However, Spanish, the country's official language, is the most common. The most widely spoken indigenous languages are Wayuu, Warao, Piaroa, Yanomami, Kahlihna, Manduhuaca, Panaré, Pemón, Guahibo and Nhengtu. Most of these languages originated in the languages of the Caribs, the Arawaks and the Chibcha. As more indigenous people move to the cities, many of their languages are becoming extinct. Languages such as Sapé and Mapoyo have five or fewer speakers.

Anthropologists are trying to learn these languages and the stories of these peoples before the last people who speak these languages die. Italian, Portuguese, Chinese, Arabic and English are the most common foreign languages spoken in Venezuela. Some English words, such as "parking," have found their way into Venezuelan Spanish. Venezuelans often speak less formally than people in most other Spanish-speaking countries. Venezuelan Society & Culture Venezuelan Pride Venezuelans are proud of their country and heritage. Simon Bolivar, who liberated much of South America from the Spanish colonialists, was born in Venezuela. Their flag is a national icon and is respected and admired. There are four separate public holidays that commemorate independence, during which time flags are flown outside private houses as well as public buildings and there are street parades. Venezuelan Family Values The family is the cornerstone of the social structure and forms the basis of stability for most people. The individual derives a social network and assistance in times of need from the extended family. In villages it is common for members of the extended family to live close to one another, often on the same block.

Nepotism an accepted practice and is considered a good thing, since it implies that employing people one knows and trusts is of primary importance. Venezuelan Hospitality Venezuelans pride themselves on their hospitality. They go out of their way to make guests feel welcome and comfortable. Venezuelan hosts cater to their every desire. Religion in Venezuela Freedom of religion is guaranteed by the Venezuelan constitution. More than 90% of the population is Roman Catholic. Some indigenous people practice their traditional religions, but many have converted to Roman Catholicism. Etiquette & Customs in Venezuela Meeting Etiquette A firm handshake, with direct eye contact and a welcoming smile are the standard greeting. When shaking hands, always use the appropriate greeting for the time of day - 'buenos dias', 'buenas tardes', or 'buenas noches'. When meeting groups always introduce yourself to the eldest person first. When leaving, say good-bye to each person individually. Since this is a formal culture, address people by their academic or professional title and their surname until invited to move to a first- name basis. Gift Giving Etiquette If invited to a dinner party, send flowers, particularly orchids, in advance of the event.

Do not give handkerchiefs since they are considered unlucky. Gifts are generally opened when received. Always send a handwritten thank you note as it marks you as a person with class. Dining Etiquette If you are invited to a Venezuelan's house: Arrive 15 to 30 minutes later than invited. Arriving on time or early shows that you are too eager, which is interpreted as greedy. Dress conservatively but with an elegant flair. Smart casual dress is usually acceptable. Never decline an offer of coffee, as it is a symbol of hospitality to Venezuelans. Table manners Wait for the host or hostess to tell you where to sit. There may be a seating plan. Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right while eating. Do not begin eating until all other diners are seated, unless encouraged by the host to start. The host saying 'buen provecho' (enjoy or have a good meal) is the customary invitation for everyone to eat. In most cases, a maid or server will place food on your plate, although large dinner parties may be buffet style. Always keep your hands visible when eating, but do not rest your elbows on the table.

Food is always eaten with utensils. Even fruit is eaten with a knife and fork. Keep your napkin on your lap while eating. Wait for a toast to be made before taking the first sip of your drink. Venezuelans typically toast with the word 'salud'. The host makes the first toast. When not using utensils, rest the tips on the edge of the plate with the handles resting on the table. It is considered polite to leave a small amount of food on your plate when you have finished eating. When you have finished eating, place your knife and fork diagonally across the plate with the prongs facing down and the handles facing to the right. Business Etiquette and Protocol Relationships & Communications This is a country where networking is important since it broadens your base of personnel who might have a connection you need. As with many Latin cultures, Venezuelans are risk averse, which makes it important that they know and trust the people with whom they do business. Venezuelans prefer face-to-face meetings to doing business by telephone or in writing, which are seen as too impersonal. It takes time to develop relationships. Appearances matter to Venezuelans. Dress well and try to stay in a reputable hotel.

Senior positions in business are predominately held by the upper class, so it is important that you pay attention to the hierarchy and show appropriate deference and respect to those in positions of authority. Business Meeting Etiquette Business appointments are required and can often be scheduled on short notice; however, it is best to make them about 2 weeks in advance by telephone, email or fax. Confirm meetings by fax or email, in Spanish, at least one week before the meeting. It is best to schedule appointments in the morning. Avoid scheduling meetings on Friday afternoon, as many Venezuelans leave early for the weekend. It is often difficult to schedule meetings in the two weeks before and after Christmas and Carnival, and three weeks before and after Easter. Venezuelans are generally punctual for business meetings, especially if they are accustomed to working with international companies. The first meeting is formal. Have all written material available in both English and Spanish. Decisions are not reached at meetings. Meetings are for discussion and to exchange ideas. Send a thank you note to the most senior executive after the meeting. Business Negotiation Expect a minimal amount of small talk before getting down to business.

Older Venezuelans prefer to get to know people before doing business with them while younger businesspeople are more concerned with business than the social relationship. It will take several meetings to come to an agreement. Negotiation and time for consultation are important. Relationships are viewed as more important than business documents. Negotiations and decisions take a long time. Venezuelans focus on long- term rather than short-term goals. Venezuelan business is hierarchical. Decisions are made by the person with the most authority. Dress Etiquette Appropriate business attire is expected. Men should wear good quality, conservative, dark coloured business suits. Women should wear stylish suits or dresses. They should be elegantly dressed, including make-up, jewellery and manicures. Business Cards Most spoken languages in Venezuela The most commonly spoken languages in Venezuela Spanish is the official language of Venezuela Spanish, Wayuu, Warao, Pemon, Kari�a are other languages spoken on a regular basis in Venezuela National Language in Venezuela | EmbassyPretoria.com Venezuelan Money, Services & More Languages Spoken in Venezuela The people of Venezuela speak Spanish. The primary national and official language of Venezuela is Spanish.

Spanish is a Romance language and placed 2nd based on the amount of native speakers of 340 million. We’ve created a collection of regular Spanish holiday language phrases or words, which a visitor can use to manage in Venezuela. We recommend you master them from Spanish travel phrases internet site. Top ^ Tips For Understanding Spanish Language Conversation and more conversation in Spanish - The trick to master Spanish is countless hours of conversation with folks who talks Spanish a lot better than you. An hour of conversation (with corrections and Spanish dictionary for reference) is as good as 5 hours in a Spanish educational setting and 10 hours with a Spanish language program on your own. Studying Spanish language for three or four hours each day for two weeks is far more beneficial for mastering Spanish than studying 1 hour each day for three months. It is no wonder that many Spanish learners who take language classes in class and never remember it in the long term. The secret to learn the Spanish is intensity of of study. Start off with the One hundred most commonly used Spanish words and attempt to create sentences using them. Master just enough Spanish grammar to be able to do this as well as do it until you feel pretty at ease with all of them.

Keep practising these sentence in your head. One other benefit from for your dictionary is that you can practice these sentences in Spanish whilst going about your day and not speaking with any one. Carry a pocket Spanish dictionary or an English-Spanish dictionary app on your mobile phone. Figure out the Spanish pronunciation patterns. Use Spanish audio and online courses for the first 100 words and basic grammar in Spanish language. Following the first 100 words and phrases in Spanish, focus on becoming conversational. Research has shown that the most everyday 100 words and phrases in Spanish language count for 50% of all the spoken conversation. The most common 1,000 words and phrases count for 80% of all spoken conversation. “How do you say X?” in Spanish is an essential sentence you can possibly learn. Study it early and then use it often. Top ^ What do I require to study Spanish language? Spanish language courses can be found as traditional language classes, audio tutorials and online classes. The traditional Spanish courses are made up of dialogue textbooks, explanation of Spanish grammer and exercises. Often they are available either in CDs or MP3s.

Most of these courses are designed for complete beginners or people with only little understanding of the Spanish language. One of the main suppliers these Spanish language courses is Linguaphone who also provide courses for in excess of One hundred languages and consist of all audio courses, explorer courses for those who just want to understand the basics, and in-depth courses for more serious students. The other supplier of language courses is Teach Yourself and Colloquial courses and they offer a wide range of languages. Spanish Audio Courses is commonly made of CDs or MP3s with modest printed content. All dialogues, exercises, instructions and explanations of %%are recorded and the focus of these courses is teaching you to comprehend and speak the language. Pimsleur language courses gives you genuine pronunciation in Spanish and a achievable level of vocabulary. Computer Based Language Learning can be obtained on CD-ROMs and DVDs. Every one of these courses usually consist of dialogues, audio, exercises and tests in Spanish. Teach Me! and Transparent Language provide a wide range of language courses on CDs and MP3s with vocabularly and grammar exercises.

The Languages spoken in Venezuela locations The Languages spoken in Venezuela Venezuela, officially known as the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a federal state situated on the northern coast of South America. Colombia borders it on the west, the islands of Trinidad and Tobago to the northeast, Guyana to the east, and Brazil on the south. The country has an estimated populace of roughly 33,221,865. Venezuela has a variety of ethnic groups which have had a direct effect on the languages spoken in the country. The majority of the population are mestizo. There are other ethnic minorities in the country and this is made up of communities that have descended mostly from the indigenous or African peoples and the different ethnic groups are estimated to be roughly 40. Roadside sign in Caracas, "God forgives but ignorance doesn't", Source As mentioned earlier, all the ethnic groups in Venezuela have had an influence on the number of languages spoken in the country. A total of 40 languages are spoken in Venezuela but Spanish is the most common and it is Venezuela’s official language. Some of these languages will be discussed below. Venezuelan Spanish Venezuelan Spanish is the Spanish dialect used in Venezuela.

The conquistadors introduced the Spanish language in Venezuela and most of them were from Basque Country, The Canary Islands, Galicia, and Andalusia. Spanish from the Canary Islands had a lot of influence on Venezuelan Spanish to the extent that Venezuelan and Canarian accents may seem identical to other Spanish speakers. Immigrants from Portugal and Italy from the late 19th century to early 20th century also had an influence on this language. Venezuelan Spanish has a number of sub-dialects that are spoken in certain regions of the country. Caracas dialect: This dialect is mostly used in the capital city, Caracas. This is the language used in the media. Zulian dialect: This is spoken in the north-west region of the country especially Zulia. This dialect is also known as marabino or maracucho and is uses voseo, like in the other sections of the Lara region. Lara dialect: This dialect also uses voseo but only in circumstances where the verbal declension of the old Spanish is kept. Andean dialect: This is spoken mostly in the state of Táchira near the border of Colombia.

It is distinguished by a non-aspirated articulation of s and it uses “usted” instead of “tú” even in settings that are not formal. Another form of this dialect is that which is spoken in the states of Trujillo and Mérida. This also uses “usted” instead of “tú” but it does not have the non-aspirated articulation of the letter s. Margaritan dialect: This is used in Isla Margarita and in the northeast region of continental Venezuela. This dialect is more unified as a result of the large tourist populace. It is also less formal than in Caracas. The dialect uses a strong ‘r’ instead of ‘l’ in the majority of the words. Indigenous languages in Venezuela There are a lot of indigenous languages spoken in Venezuela. The most spoken include Warao, Nhengtu, Wayuu, Panare, Piaroa, Kahlihna, Guahibo, Pemon,Yanomami, and Manduhuaca. These and other indigenous dialects originated from the languages of the Chibcha, the Caribs, and the Arawaks.

In some of the remote regions, some of the Indians can only talk their own language and do not have any familiarity of the Spanish dialect. More indigenous people are moving into the cities and as a result, most of their dialects are being wiped out. Warao language Venezuelan newspaper headlines about Chavez, Source Warao is also referred to as Warrau, Guarauno, and Guarao. This is a local language of the Warao community. This language is spoken by about 28,000 people in the country. Most of them are located in the Orinoco Delta area of north-eastern Venezuela, with smaller groups in Suriname and western Guyana. Wayuu language The Wayuu language, also called, Goajiro, is used by about 305,000 local Wayuu people. This community is located in north-western Venezuela and north-eastern Colombia on the Guajira peninsula. Wayuu is one of the main Arawakan dialects. There are very little disparities depending on the area of La Guajira, in which the speakers reside and most of the people in the young generation speak eloquently in Spanish.

Pemon language Pemon language, also called Arekuna, is a local American dialect found in the Cariban family. The language is used by a total of 30,000 Pemon people located in the southeast of Venezuela especially in Guyana, the Canaima National Park, and in Brazil’s Roraima State. Pemon is among the many closely associated dialects referred to as Kapong and Ingarikó. Panare language Panare is a Cariban dialect and is spoken by roughly 3000-4000 people located in the Bolivar State in the southern region of Venezuela. Their main region is South of the city of Caicara del Orinoco, south of River Orinoco. The autonym for this dialect and its people is eñapa. This has a number of senses which depend on context, which includes ‘Panare-people’, ‘indigenous people’ and ‘people’. Panare language has two-word orders. The most commonly used is the object-agent-verb order and the other which is somewhat unusual is object-verb-agent. Mapoyo-Yabarana language This language is also referred to as Mapoyo-Yavarana or Mapoyo.

It is a Carib dialect that is spoken along the Parguaza and Suapure Rivers in Venezuela. The estimated population of Mapoyo speakers is roughly 365. Yaruro language The Yaruro dialect, which can also be spelled as Yaruru or Llaruro, is also referred to as Pumé or Yuapín. This is an indigenous language used by the Yaruro people who reside along the Apure, Orinoco, Meta, and Sinaruco rivers of Venezuela. This language is, however, not classified very well and might, therefore, be an isolated dialect, or slightly linked to the Esmeralda language which has become extinct. Yanomaman languages Protest in Caracas, Source Yanomaman also referred to as Sririanan, Shamatari, Yanomam,Yanomamana,Yamomámi, or Yanomáman, is used by roughly 20,000 Yanomami people who are located in the southern region of Venezuela and the north-western region of Brazil especially Amazonas and Roraima.

This language consists of five other sub-dialects which include Yanomamö, Yanam, Yaroamë, Sanumá, and Yanomámi. All these dialects are very alike. Guahibo language This is the indigenous dialect of the Guahibo people who are located in both Venezuela and Colombia. About 8,428 Guahibo people reside in Venezuela especially in the Orinoco River while roughly 23,006 of them live in Colombia in the following regions: Vichada, Casanare, Guainia states, eastern Meta, and Guaviare. Nheengatu language Nheengatu dialect is an Amerindian dialect that can be found in the Tupi-Guarani family. It can at times be spelled as Nhengatu and can also be referred to as Yeral, Nyengatú, Geral, or Língua geral. This language was derived in northern Brazil back in the 17th century as a lingua franca. Nheengatu is still used in northern Brazil especially along the Rio Negro and in the neighbouring countries of Venezuela and Colombia.

Piaroa language This language can also be referred to as Adole ~ Ature, Guagua ~ Kuakua ~ Quaquua, or Woˈtiheh and is a member of the Pioroa-Saliban dialect family. The main dialect of this language is Wirö language also known as Maco and it is often listed individually or not classified. The Maco dialect has been documented very poorly but a few known words are enough to prove that is a dialect of Piaroa. Piaroa language is spoken by indigenous people found in Venezuela and Colombia and their total population as of 2001-2002 was 17,000 English English has a lot of demand in Venezuela and is used by many professionals and by a few members of the middle and upper social classes. English gained popularity in the country as a result of the oil companies from countries that speak English. This language is taught as a mandatory subject in high school education and in the bachillerato for a period of five years. Italian During the second half of the 20th century, over 300,000 people from Italy mainly from Veneto migrated to Venezuela a country that is rich in oil.

These people had a linguistic influence in Venezuela as they left a lot of words in the local dialect. An example is “Ciao” which means bye. This word is now used as a normal friendly greeting in Caracas, not only among the Italo-Venezuelans but by most people in the city. French This language is taught as a mandatory subject specifically in the field of humanities of the bachillerato or secondary school for a period of two years. The learners are taught French grammar in the first year, then create and decipher texts in French in the second year. Immigrant languages There are a number of immigrant languages spoken by their descendants in Venezuela. The most common include Chinese which is spoken by about 400,000 people, Portuguese spoken by 254,000 people, Arabic (110,000), English (20,000) and German (20,000). Some people who reside near the Brazilian border talk Portuguese. In the regions situated next to Guyana, English dialect is spoken by a few residents, mostly in the Ankoko Island. Colonic Tovar dialect, which is a dialect of the German language is used in the Colonia Tovar.

Venezuela Facts, Facts about Venezuela Venezuela Facts Where is Venezuela? The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a tropical country situated on the northern coast of South America. It is bordered by Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south. What is the capital of Venezuela? Carcass is the capital of Venezuela. Officially, it is known as Santiago de Leon de Caracas. With an estimated population of 1,815,679, it is the largest city in the country. How big is Venezuela? Covering a total area of 353,841 square miles, Venezuela is the thirty-third largest country in the world. The estimated population of the country is 29,105,632. What are the ethnic groups in Venezuela? The majority of the population of Venezuela is of European, and African ancestry. Mestizos make up fifty percent of the population while the rest is constituted by Africans and the indigenous people. What are the administrative divisions of Venezuela? For administrative purposes, Venezuela is divided into twenty-three states, a capital district, and the Federal Dependencies. The states are divided into nine administrative regions.

The country is further divided into 335 municipalities that are sub-divided into one thousand parishes. Who are the political leaders of Venezuela? Nicolas Maduro is President Elect. of Venezuela. He Succeeds Hugo Chavez who died on 5th march 2013 at the age of 58 while undergoing treatment for cancer. Interim Vice President of venezuela - Jorge Alberto Arreaza Monserrat What is the official currency used in Venezuela? The bolivar fuerte denoted by the ISO 4217 code VEF is the official currency of Venezuela. It was adopted on the 1st of January, 2008, replacing the bolivar. The currency is sub-divided into 100 centimos. The symbol for Bolivar fuerte is Bs.F. or Bs. What is the official language of Venezuela? Castilian is the official language of Venezuela. Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese, and Italian are the other languages spoken largely by immigrants. English is the most widely used foreign language and is used in education and administrative sectors. Indigenous languages like Wayuu, Warao, pemon are also recognized as official languages but not more than one percent of the population speak these.

What is the official religion of Venezuela? Christianity is the official and the dominant religion in Venezuela. Ninety-two percent of the population is Roman Catholic while the rest follow Protestantism. The country has very small communities of Muslim and Jews. What is the economy of Venezuela like? The economy of Venezuela is heavily dependent on the petroleum sector, that accounts for half the government revenues. In 2010, the gross domestic product (nominal) of the country was estimated at $285.214 billion, while the per capita was $9,773. It is one of the top ten crude oil producers in the world having large reserves of oil and natural gas. Agriculture is a small sector with rice, corn, tropical fruit, coffee, fish, beef, and pork being the major agricultural products. The principal trading partners include the United States, China, Colombia, Brazil , and Mexico. The economy suffers a setback as Venezuela is one of the most corrupt countries with a large number of people living below the poverty line. When is the national day of Venezuela celebrated? The national day of Venezuela is celebrated on the 5th of July.

On this day in 1811, Venezuela gained independence from the Spanish rule. Venezuelans - Introduction, Location, Language, Folklore, Religion, Major holidays, Rites of passage Venezuelans RELIGION: Roman Catholicism; some Protestantism, Judaism, and native Amerindian religions 1 • INTRODUCTION Venezuela was colonized by Spain in the sixteenth century. The Spanish conquerors at first explored its long Caribbean coastline. They fought with a variety of American Indian peoples and later brought slaves from Africa. Venezuelans today are descended from all three groups—Spanish, Indian, and African. There are still about twenty groups of American Indian tribes in the country. Venezuela holds an honored place in Latin American history because its capital, Caracas, is the birthplace of the great liberator Simón Bolívar (1783–1830). He freed Venezuela, along with Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, from Spanish rule. Thanks to his efforts, Venezuela became an independent nation. Venezuela suffered under various dictatorships during the twentieth century. But since 1958, there have been free elections and democratically elected presidents.

Because it has large oil reserves, Venezuela has made rapid economic progress. The wealth produced by the petroleum industry may be the reason Venezuela has avoided the violence that has arisen in some neighboring countries, including Colombia and Peru. 2 • LOCATION Venezuela is the size of the states of Texas and Oklahoma combined. It shares a border with Colombia to the west, with Brazil to the south, and with Guyana to the east. To the north, its Caribbean coastline is about 1,865 miles (3,000 kilometers) long. Most of the country has a warm climate. While most of the population is descended from the Spanish or is of mixed Spanish and American Indian or Spanish-African descent, there are still about twenty pure American Indian groups. They usually speak their own languages. They number about 200,000 out of a total population of 21 million. During the twentieth century, immigrants have arrived in Venezuela from Italy, Spain, and Portugal, as well as from neighboring Colombia. 3 • LANGUAGE The official language of Venezuela is Spanish. Many of the surviving American Indian peoples continue to speak their own languages.

4 • FOLKLORE Folklore in Venezuela has evolved from the blending of Spanish, African, and American Indian customs. Several colorful festivals are the result of this blending of cultures. Carnaval is a yearly nationwide event that lasts for several days and begins just before Ash Wednesday (usually in February). On the holiday of Corpus Christi (in May or June), there is a dramatic "Dance of the Devils" in the town of San Francisco de Yare. People parade and dance in the streets in costumes and masks in the streets. Black African music influences the Fiesta de San Juan, held in the state of Miranda in June. 5 • RELIGION Most Venezuelans are Roman Catholic. There are also some Protestants and a Jewish community in Caracas. Some Venezuelan American Indians have also adopted Roman Catholicism. One of Venezuela's important religious events takes place in the town of Guanare. It is a yearly feast day honoring the Virgin Mary, who is known in Venezuela as Nuestra Señora de Comoroto , Venezuela's patron saint. It commemorates the day in 1652 when the Virgin is said to have appeared to an American Indian chief on the shores of the Guanaguare River.

She encouraged him to accept Christian baptism and left him a tiny image of herself. The chief was frightened and ran away. He later died of a snakebite. Just before his death, however, he asked to be baptized and advised his people to do the same. 6 • MAJOR HOLIDAYS Aside from religious festivals and the national Carnaval, the major holiday in Venezuela is Independence Day. It is celebrated on April 19. Other public holidays also mark important historical events. They include Simón Bolívar's birthday on July 24, the victory over the Spanish in the Battle of Carabobo on July 5, and the arrival of Columbus in the Americas on October 12. Labor Day, May 1, is also a public holiday. 7 • RITES OF PASSAGE Since most of Venezuela is Roman Catholic, baptism and first communion are important occasions. Most children have the name of a saint as part of their name, so many celebrate their saint's day as well as their actual birthday. When a person dies, prayers are held at the person's home for nine days. Relatives and close friends usually attend. 8 • RELATIONSHIPS Venezuelans are considered outgoing and friendly.

The spirit of fun is evident in their love of social gatherings and parties. Like many other Latin Americans, Venezuelans have an easygoing attitude toward time. They are tolerant of late arrivals to meetings and social gatherings. Even business lunches can be lengthy, lasting two or three hours. 9 • LIVING CONDITIONS Even in the prosperous 1960s and 1970s, when the oil boom changed Caracas from a relatively quiet town to a busy modern city, the contrast between wealthy and poor housing was very clear. Lavish hotels and apartment blocks were only a few blocks away from shantytowns. Some of this hillside housing was so poorly built that it would slide down the mountain after heavy rains. This contrast also existed, but to a lesser extent, in other less-populated towns. More recently, the expansion of education and the newer universities have contributed to the development of a growing middle class. This is seen in the building of more middle-class houses. 10 • FAMILY LIFE Venezuelans value family ties. The bonds between the extended family—which includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins—are very important. Occasions for large family gatherings include birthdays, baptisms, first communions, weddings, and major holidays.

Extended families also gather on weekends or on short holiday visits to beaches and parks. In smaller towns, the extended family gathers often for family meals and celebrations. The family offers a secure network for support. This is important because there is a lack or shortage of some government services and benefits. Women have made good progress in entering the traditionally male professions, including medicine, dentistry, economics, and law. In middle-class households, the working woman relies on servants to help in the home. In poorer households, older relatives or older children provide help wherever possible. 11 • CLOTHING In cities, men wear lightweight suits or shirts and trousers that suit Venezuela's climate. Women are usually very fashion-conscious and dress in popular Western styles. 12 • FOOD A typical Venezuelan dish is carne mechada, shredded beef. It comes from the cattle-ranching areas of Los Llanos. It is served with fried plantains, black beans, cornmeal pancakes called arepas, rice, and, sometimes, white cheese. Another type of cornmeal pancake, called a cachapa, is often served for breakfast with jam. A staple, tasty snack is the empanada, a fried cornmeal turnover sometimes stuffed with cheese, meat, or chicken.

In many low-income households, tropical fruits such as coconuts, mangoes, water-melons, pineapples, and papayas provide variety to the basic diet of beans, rice, and plantains. In coastal areas, the diet includes fish. It is often served fried or in a stew with vegetables, which is called sancocho. 13 • EDUCATION Formal schooling begins in Venezuela at the age of six and is compulsory (required) for the first six years. The four-year high school program leads to a one-year preparation for college. College usually takes four years, but university training in medicine or engineering, for example, takes more time. Many poorer households cannot afford schooling. Young people who have to go to work to add to the family income are unable to complete high school. Greater numbers of Venezuelans are finding their way to universities and colleges. A few of these have completely free tuition. There are about thirty universities. The largest is Universidad Central in Caracas, with about 70,000 students. Another well-known university, Universidad de los Andes, in the Andean town of Mérida, has 30,000 thousand students.

Women have made great progress in university education, and about half the students at the university level are now women. 14 • CULTURAL HERITAGE Venezuela has produced fine writers, painters, poets, musicians, and, more recently, playwrights. The work of Expressionist painter Armando Reverón is admired throughout the continent. One of Venezuela's first poets was Andrés Rello, who knew Simón Bolívar. Venezuela's best-known poet is Andrés Eloy Blanco, who died in 1955. Venezuela's most famous novelist is Rómulo Gallegos. In one of his novels, Doña Bárbara, he created a strong-willed, unforgettable character. His novel Canaima is a dramatic account of the struggle of humans to survive, psychologically and physically, in the jungle. Another writer of the same generation was Miguel Otero Silva, who died in 1985. His novel, Casas Muertas, is widely admired. The joropo is Venezuela's national dance. The music for it is played on a small harp and a four-string guitar called the cuatro, with rattles for keeping the rhythm.

15 • EMPLOYMENT The prosperity (increase in wealth) of the 1960s and 1970s, based on the oil boom, was followed by a worldwide drop in oil prices. Job opportunities declined for many Venezuelans. A recent period of difficult economic adjustment has been a burden to poor people in particular, but it has also affected the middle class in Venezuela. Traditionally, the poor relied on government support to pay for basic food and transportation. When this support was withdrawn and prices rose, many people suffered. Farming and cattle ranching are major sources of work in rural areas. In cities, people work in businesses or factories. For university graduates, the possibilities vary depending on the field. Mining is an important activity, and mining engineers usually find jobs; so do oil engineers. Economists find work in business or banking. Doctors and lawyers are in demand. There are new career possibilities in the field of communications, and television is a growth industry in Venezuela. 16 • SPORTS Soccer is a national passion in Venezuela. In coastal areas, water sports such as swimming, boating, and fishing are very popular. Inland, in the grassy plains known as Los Llanos, horseback riding is popular.

Fine equestrians take part in colorful rodeos known as toros colcados, in which they compete to bring a bull down by grabbing its tail while riding a horse at top speed. 17 • RECREATION Venezuelans enjoy visiting their beautiful national parks. They are also fond of traveling to take part in a variety of festivals around the country. In the major cities, there are nightclubs and discos. Venezuelans also enjoy eating in restaurants. Television is popular. Venezuela produces a variety of soap operas, which are called telenovelas . Going to bullfights is also a popular pastime. 18 • CRAFTS AND HOBBIES Anthropologists and local historians have played an important part in making Venezuelans aware of the arts and crafts of the various American Indian peoples. Much of their handiwork is now more easily available. It includes pottery, baskets, hammocks, and rugs. 19 • SOCIAL PROBLEMS Venezuela has undergone a period of economic and political uncertainty that has affected job opportunities. There has also been an increase in crime. Over half of the population is under eighteen years of age.

In this uneasy social and economic situation, groups within the military have tried to take power by force at two different times. Both of these attempts failed, and Venezuela has remained a democratic country. But the social ease and confidence of the more economically successful years (of the 1960s and 1970s) have not yet returned. 20 • BIBLIOGRAPHY

Question: What is the official language of Venezuela?
Answer: Spanish