This country is located in the extreme north of South America. It is bounded to the north by the Caribbean Sea, to the west by Colombia, to the east by Guyana and to the south by Brazil.
Venezuela’s geography comprises three regions: The Andes (which break up into the Perijá and Mérida ranges), the Guyana Highlands, and the Llanos (Plains) area. The climate is predominantly tropical, with average annual temperatures generally above 24ºC, and it alternates between a rain summer season and another dry season.
The majority of the population is of mixed descent and lives in urban areas located in coastal areas and at medium altitudes, such as Caracas and Maracaibo.
The extraction and refining of petroleum for export and internal consumption is the country’s main economic activity.
Venezuela is a presidential federal republic. Executive power is held by the President, who is elected by universal suffrage for a mandate of six years, able to be re-elected only once. The unicameral Parliament is called the National Assembly. The main judicial authority is the Supreme Tribunal of Justice.
