Venezuela

Venezuela is a country in South America, bordered by Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the east, with a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea. The capital is Caracas. Venezuelan culture is a mix of indigenous, African, and Spanish influences, evident in music, such as joropo, art, traditions, and cuisine, famous for dishes like arepa and hallaca. Venezuela's economy has historically been dominated by oil exports, which have shaped its economic and political history. The country has the world's largest proven oil reserves. Venezuela is known for its extraordinary biodiversity, with landscapes ranging from the Andes to Caribbean coastlines, from Amazonian forests to the Orinoco plains. It has a history of Spanish colonization and gained independence in 1811. In recent years, Venezuela has faced significant political, economic, and social challenges, including a severe economic and humanitarian crisis. Population of Venezuela from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Approximately 28.5 million inhabitants. 2019: Approximately 28.4 million inhabitants. 2020: Approximately 28.4 million inhabitants (estimate, potentially underreported due to emigration). Capital (Caracas): Population in 2020: About 2.9 million inhabitants in the city, with a metropolitan area reaching about 5 million inhabitants. Top 10 cities by number of inhabitants in 2020: (Figures are approximate and may be affected by emigration) Caracas: ~2.9 million Maracaibo: ~1.6 million Valencia: ~1.8 million Barquisimeto: ~1.2 million Maracay: ~1.1 million Ciudad Guayana: ~800,000 San Cristóbal: ~600,000 Maturín: ~500,000 Barcelona: ~450,000 Ciudad Bolívar: ~400,000 Number and name of Administrative Divisions: Venezuela is divided into 23 states, a Capital District encompassing the city of Caracas, and the Federal Dependencies (islands). GDP in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About $98,468 million. 2019: About $70,140 million. 2020: Approximately $48,000 million (estimate). Public deficit in millions of dollars from 2018 to 2020: 2018: (Data not available at the time of the last update) 2019: (Data not available at the time of the last update) 2020: (Data not available at the time of the last update) % GDP/government debt ratio from 2018 to 2020: 2018: (Data not available at the time of the last update) 2019: (Data not available at the time of the last update) 2020: (Data not available at the time of the last update) Unemployment rate % from 2018 to 2020: 2018: About 7.0%. 2019: About 8.5%. 2020: (Data not available at the time of the last update, but a significant increase is expected due to the economic crisis) Inflation Rate from 2018 to 2020: 2018: Extremely high inflation, with estimates varying widely; some reports suggest over 1,000,000%. 2019: Hyperinflation continues, with still highly variable estimates. 2020: Hyperinflation persists, but with slightly lower rates compared to previous years.