Venezuela

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Venezuela, officially known as the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is the northernmost country in South America and part of Caribbean South America. It borders the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. Off the Venezuelan coast are also found the Caribbean states of Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago.

Related Topics:
Spanish - South America - Caribbean South America - Caribbean Sea - Atlantic Ocean - Guyana - Brazil - Colombia - Caribbean - Aruba - Netherlands Antilles - Trinidad and Tobago

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A former Spanish colony, Venezuela is a Federal Republic. Culturally and geographically it is the most Caribbean country of South America, having in its possession over 600 islands in the aforementioned sea. Historically, Venezuela has had territorial disputes with Guyana, largely concerning the Essequibo area. This issue is not yet resolved. To this day, Venezuela is known for its petroleum industry, the friendly temperment of its inhabitants, the environmental diversity of its territory, and its sheer natural beauty. It has been claimed that Cristopher Columbus was so enthralled by Venezuela's landscape, when arriving to its coast in 1498, that he referred to the land as Tierra de Gracia (Land of Grace), which has become the country?s nickname.

Related Topics:
Spanish colony - Federal Republic - Caribbean - South America - Guyana - Essequibo - Petroleum - Environmental diversity - Cristopher Columbus - 1498

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