Key facts about Venezuela

• Venezuela lies along South America’s Caribbean coast, sharing its longest borders with Brazil and Colombia. 

• With a population of more than 30 million people, Venezuela is one of the most populous countries in the Latin American region.

• Caracas, officially Santiago de León de Caracas (CCS), is the capital and largest city of Venezuela.

• The official language of Venezuela is Spanish.

• The country’s natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, gold, bauxite, diamonds and other minerals. 

• Venezuela has the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves, accounting for approximately 17 per cent of global reserves. 

The country is a founding member of Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

• Venezuela is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites that showcase its stunning natural beauty and ecological significance. 

• These include the Canaima National Park in the southern Bolívar State, featuring the world-famous Angel Falls — the highest uninterrupted waterfall on Earth — and the Los Roques Archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its crystal-clear waters, coral reefs and vibrant marine life in the Caribbean Sea. 

• These protected areas not only highlight Venezuela’s natural wonders but also underscore the country’s global importance in preserving some of the planet’s most extraordinary environments.