Full country name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Capital: Caracas
Area: 912,050 sq. km, approximately 2.5 times the size of California.
Population: 4.5 Million
Major Industries: Petroleum, Iron, Steel, Aluminum, Agriculture, Banking, Tourism, Fishing, Insurance

Location
Venezuela is located in the Northeast corner of South America .The Caribbean Sea acts as a northern boundary with the Atlantic Ocean and Guyana to the east, Brazil to the South and Colombia to the west.

Climate
Tropical, but temperatures vary considerably with altitude. The weather is cooler from November through February. The hottest months are July and August. Caracas may have temperatures averaging 22 C (72 F), Rainy season (May to Nov).

Government
Venezuela’s government is a federal presidential republic. The president is elected by a vote and is both the head of state and the head of government. The presidential term lasts 6 years but, as 2009, a president may be re-elected an unlimited number of times. The president appoints the vice-president and decides the size of the Cabinet. The voting age in Venezuela is 18 and older. Voting is not mandatory.

Currency
The “Bolivar fuerte” or strong Bolivar.

Banking
Most banks in Venezuela are open Monday-Friday from 8.30 am to 3:30 pm.  Some banks, most of which are located inside shopping malls, offer extended hours at night and are open on the weekends.

Languages
Spanish is the official language although, English is taught in schools and many high-level executives and professional speak it fluently.

Religion
The majority of the people are Roman Catholic

Shopping
When shopping in Venezuela popular items such as handicrafts and artifacts are the popular buys. Shopping plazas offer everything from antiques and knick-knacks to sports and fashion clothing. A wide variety of jewelry and precious metal ware include reed necklaces, bracelets, cacique coins, gold ornaments and pearls studded ornaments. Fashion stores and boutiques are found everywhere in Venezuela. Designer clothes and accessories of renowned brands for men and women are available in the stores of Caracas, the capital.

The most popular malls in Venezuela are:
• Centro Comercial Terraza Lomas de la Lagunita
• Centro Comercial Ciudad Tamanaco
• Centro Comercial Galerías Prado de Este
• Centro Comercial San Ignacio
• Centro Comercial El Tolon
• Centro Comercial Paseo el Hatillo

Restaurants
Venezuelan cuisine normally varies from region to region; although its traditional cuisine as well as modern, has strong European (Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French) roots as well as a mix of African and Native American traditions. In the eastern states or Oriente, a variety of fresh and saltwater fish, seafood and crustaceans, potatoes and yams, corn, rice and pasta, beef, fresh vegetables and fruit are the most common foods. In the western states Occidente, common meats include goat and rabbit which is usually prepared with tomato, along with plantains and cheeses. Foods here are inspired by the local tribes as well as by Colombian cuisine. In the central region, dishes are mainly of poultry, beef, pork, fish (stewed or boiled), pasta, rice, and salads. In the area called “Los Llanos” or The Plains of Venezuela, beef and game such as deer, chigüire, lapa, and morrocoy are cooked either grilled or roasted.
Aside from all the traditional cuisine that is found in Venezuela, Caracas offers a variety of international restaurants including Spanish, French, Arab and Chinese foods.

Entertainment
Caracas is a cosmopolitan city that offers the most diverse attractions. A large number of museums (science, art, history and those dedicated to children) mixed with buildings full of history that house public administration offices and which contrast with the modern structures of the cable railway.

Some of the most common attractions in Caracas are:
• Las Mercedes
• Teleferico de Caracas
• Teatro Teresa Careno

Helpful Telephone Numbers
Emergency: 171
Police: 171
Ambulance: 265 0750 / 267 5612
Rescarven: (Ambulance Services) 909 4000

Schools
In Venezuela we have excellent schools, from kindergarten through to the university level. It is mandatory for children between the ages of 4-16 to attend school. 

The following are some schools that can be found in Caracas.

The British School

Colegio Francia

Colegio Campo Alegre

Immigration Process

In order to request a Residency and/or Work Permit the following information is necessary:
• Full name
• Copy of the Passport
• Nationality
• Profession
• Position
• Brief role description
• Curriculum vitae
• Full name of spouse and/or children
• Passport No. of spouse and/or children
• Visa (depending on country of origin)
• Type of hiring company or organization

This process may take up to 3 months after documentation has been submitted, depending on each applicant’s specific qualifications. Work permits are usually given for 1 year and should be renewed for extensions.

Important Immigration Links:

• American Consulate: http://caracas.usembassy.gov

Housing Cost       

The rental costs for a reasonable apartment/condo are:

1 bed apartment: $2,000 -$2,500

2 bed apartment: $3,000- $3,800

3 bed apartment: $4,000 - $8,000

Holidays

New Year: January 1
Carnaval: 15/16 February
Holy Thursday: April 1
Holy Friday: April 2
Signing of Declaration of Independence: April 19
Venezuela Labor Day: May 1
Independence Day: July 5
Simon Bolivar’s Birthday:  July 24
Christmas: December 25

Technical Information

Voltage: 120v-ac
Plugs: Standard American Plugs
Television Systems: NTSC