60 Interesting Facts about Venezuela

Ready to embark on a journey to a land of stunning beauty and exciting adventures? Let’s set our sights on Venezuela, a colorful and vibrant country in South America. From towering waterfalls to bustling cities, Venezuela is a place where every corner has a story to tell. So, grab your explorer hats and learn some fascinating facts about Venezuela!

green background with white text "facts about Venezuela" with Venezuelan flag

Did you know that Venezuela is home to some of the most breathtaking natural sights in the world? Have you ever heard of Angel Falls? It’s the tallest waterfall on the planet, and it’s in Venezuela! Imagine water falling from the height of a skyscraper – it’s a sight to see. The water plunges from a mountain and looks like it’s painting the sky.

But Venezuela isn’t just famous for its waterfalls. It also has beautiful beaches along the Caribbean Sea. These beaches have soft sand and clear blue water, perfect for a day of sun and fun. And if you’re into wildlife, you’ll love the amazing animals that live here, from colorful parrots to cheeky monkeys.

Venezuela is also a land of delicious foods and rich culture. The people of Venezuela love to dance to lively music and enjoy tasty foods like arepas, like yummy cornbread sandwiches. Festivals and music fill the streets, making the country a lively and happy place.

Are you excited to discover more facts about Venezuela? From its natural wonders to its vibrant culture, there’s so much to explore and learn. Let’s continue our adventure and uncover all the amazing things that make Venezuela a truly special place!

Be sure to discover even more interesting facts with our Facts about El Salvador and our Facts About Mexico.

Facts about Venezuela

The official name of Venezuela is the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Venezuela has been an oil producer since 1914 and with 300.9 billion barrels, it has the largest oil reserves of any country in the world.
The people of Venezuela speak more than 35 different languages.
The world’s tallest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls, is located in Venezuela. With a height of 3,212 feet, it’s about 15 times taller than Niagara Falls.
In 1498, during his third trip to South America, Christopher Columbus became the first European to set foot in what is now Venezuela.
The iconic Venezuela flag consists of three horizontal stripes of yellow, blue, and red, with eight stars representing the eight provinces that originally constituted the country. The tricolor was initially adopted by Gran Colombia.
Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine explorer, gave the country of Venezuela its name.
Venezuela is a country with incredible biodiversity.
Venezuela has a variety of traditional festivals and celebrations, including the Feria de la Chinita in Zulia and the Carnaval de El Callao.
Venezuela has a high number of road accidents.
The Chinese language is not uncommon in Venezuela.
Venezuela produces 3 trademark varieties of alcohol which are Rum, Cocuy, and Angostura bitters.
Half of its amphibians are native to the country.
The northern edge of the Amazon Basin is in the southern part of Venezuela.
The hottest recorded temperature in Venezuelan history was a scorching 42°C or 108°F in Machiques in the country’s northwest.
Venezuela is a megadiverse country.
Venezuela has one of the highest number of gun-related deaths in the world.
Venezuela’s 2020 GDP reached $250 billion.
Football and basketball are among the most popular sports in Venezuela.
Spanish colonization began in 1521 and lasted until 1810 when Venezuelans first declared independence from Spain.
They don’t want any “Simpsons” TV show in the country – or Coke Zero.
The country has a vibrant music and dance culture, with genres such as salsa, merengue, and joropo being popular.
Venezuela has the world’s cheapest gasoline (petrol) because of its reserves.
Beauty is big business in Venezuela.
The country has a range of traditional arts and crafts, including woven baskets, colorful hammocks, and pottery.
Venezuela is home to Angel Falls, also called Salto Angel.
The coldest temperature ever recorded was −11 °C or 12 °F in Páramo de Piedras Blancas in Mérida.
The Big Four are the major international beauty pageants for women – Miss World, Miss Universe, Miss International, and Miss Earth. Venezuela has won seven Miss Universe titles, making it the second country with the most crowns.
The majority of the Venezuelan population is of mestizo– or mixed–ethnic ancestry.
An atmospheric phenomenon takes place in Venezuela.
‘Arepas’ are popular in Colombia and Venezuela. They are what’s for breakfast and can be eaten any other time of day, too.
The largest lake in South America is located in Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo, at 20 to 40 million years old, is also one of the oldest lakes on earth.
The country’s currency is named after its national hero, Simón Bolívar.
The Caribbean Sea surrounds the country.
Venezuela used to be the richest country in South America.
Traditional lunches include ‘pabellón’ (rice, black beans, and meat with a side of plantain slices) and ‘reina pepiada’.
Heavy money printing caused Venezuela’s hyperinflation.
Canaima National Park is the world’s sixth-largest national park at over 30,000 square kilometers.
Venezuela is one of the 17 most biodiverse countries on the planet (a megadiverse country).
Venezuela’s motto is Dios y Federación, or “God and Federation.”
Venezuela is one of the top 20 countries in the world whose animals and plants are endemic (unique) to the country.
Pastelitos are a Venezuelan breakfast staple.
Venezuela’s current inflation rate is more than 400%.
Venezuela is made up of a continental landmass and numerous islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea.
Over 3,900 species of fungi have been discovered and recorded from Venezuela.
Venezuela has 43 national parks with up to 33 percent of its forested land protected.
In the country’s far south is a 32,000 square mile (82,880 km) reserve for the Yanomami tribes that is off-limits to miners, farmers, and all non-Yanomami settlers.
In 1830, the country broke away from Colombia to become an independent republic. Páez became the first president.
The Guri Dam, one of the world’s largest, generates all the hydroelectric power the country relies upon.
Before colonization, Venezuela was inhabited by the Carib, Arawak, and Chibcha peoples.
The Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea both border Venezuela to the north and it shares land borders with Brazil, Colombia and Guyana.
There is evidence of human habitation in Venezuela going back more than 10,000 years.
European explorers named the region Venezuela “Little Venice.”
Coke Zero was banned in Venezuela in 2009.
The indigenous and official name is Kerepakupai merú, which means ‘waterfall of the deepest place’.
The CDC has identified Venezuela as an area affected by the Zika outbreak.
Amerigo Vespucci, a Florentine explorer, gave the country of Venezuela its name.
Venezuela is a country with incredible biodiversity.
The second hardest climb-by-bike route in the world is located in Venezuela. It is only 14.5 km (9 mi) long.
Venezuela has its own version of a pretzel.