Venezuela has a population of over 27 million spread across 353,841 square miles, with diverse ecosystems and unique species. It has a history of ecotourism and territorial disputes with Guyana and Colombia. Since 1998, its foreign policy has changed, including severing military ties with the US and trading with Cuba.
The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, better known as simply Venezuela, has a population of over 27 million, spread across 353,841 square miles (916,445 km²). In addition to the territorial mainland, Venezuela owns several islands on the Caribbean Sea and has territorial disputes with Guyana and Colombia. Discovered in 1499 by Spanish explorers, Venezuela got its name because explorers first saw small indigenous houses floating in the river and associated the area with Venice. Venezuela did not become an independent republic until 1830, after gaining independence from Spain and then from the territory of Gran Colombia.
Venezuela has an extremely diverse ecosystem, with everything from plains and wetlands to the coast and jungles. Because of this, the climate and fauna are also extremely diverse, with some unique species, such as the giant rodent capybara, found nowhere else in the world. Much of Venezuela’s land is now protected under several international environmental treaties. Over 60 percent of Venezuela’s population is mixed race, the result of centuries of Spanish settlers mixing with the natives. In contrast, only one percent of the country’s population is now purely indigenous.
Venezuela has an established history of ecotourism. Travelers from all over the world come to Venezuela every year to explore its many waterfalls, trek through its jungles and scale the peaks of the Andes. In addition to its 40 national parks, much of Venezuela’s territory is still unexplored and untouched.
Venezuela has implemented new foreign policies since the last president, Hugo Chávez Frías, came to power in 1998. Part of its policies include a number of changes in its relationship with the United States. This has led to numerous clashes, such as Chavez’s initiative to trade with Cuba, the severing of military ties with the United States, and the purchase of a wide range of Russian firearms. Hugo Chávez’s foreign policy sometimes borders on personal attack, with Chavez directly expressing his dislike for George Bush, his policies and his ministers. Chavez also accused the US government of covertly supporting the actions of the rebels who briefly overthrew him in 2002.
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