Geography, population, religion. The capital is Caracas. Venezuela is located in the northern part of South America, between Brazil in the south (the total length of the border is about 2200 km), Colombia in the west (2050 km) and Guyana (743 km) in the east. From the north it is washed by the Caribbean Sea of the Atlantic Ocean (the length of the coastline is about 2800 km). Venezuela owns the islands of Aves, Orchila, Los Hermanos, Los Testigos, Margarita, La Tortuga, Los Roques and Blancilla, as well as a number of small coral islands (about 72) and reefs (about 200) in the southern Caribbean Sea.
The total population is 25.7 million people (about 3% are from the European continent, 1% are Indians, descendants of the once numerous semi-nomadic peoples of South America).
More than 90% of the country’s population lives in urban areas in the northern, coastal part of the country.
According to a2zgov, the Venezuelan constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of believers in the country (up to 96%) identify themselves as Roman Catholic, about 2% are Protestants, and about 2% are representatives of other faiths.
Climate: the temperature during the year changes relatively weakly – with an average annual temperature in the range of + 21-26 C. Conventionally, two seasons are distinguished from each other in terms of precipitation, but differ little in temperature. The dry season is from December to April. The wet season covers the rest of the time. In the Amazon region, there is no pronounced dry season, precipitation is distributed fairly evenly. The territory of the country lies away from the path of tropical hurricanes and is almost not exposed to their destructive effects.
Language . The main language is Spanish. English, French, German and more than 30 languages of the local Indian peoples are also used.
Time . Behind Moscow by 7.5 hours.
Currency . Bolivar (Bs.F, VEB), equal to 100 centimos. In circulation there are banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 bolivars, as well as coins of 1 bolívar, 50, 25, 12.5, 10, 5 and 1 centimos.
US dollars and euros are widely used, especially in markets and private establishments.
Currency can be exchanged at numerous “casa de cambio” exchange offices, at the airport, banks, hotels, shops and transport agencies. Difficulties with the exchange usually do not arise: the exchange rate used in hotels, shops and transport agencies differs from the bank rate quite slightly, in exchange offices it usually coincides with the bank rate. It is illegal to use the services of private money changers, especially those active at the Caracas airport. Reverse exchange of local currency is difficult.
Water . Only boiled or bottled water is recommended for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice.
Electricity . The mains voltage is 110 V, 60 Hz. Two-prong American style receptacles are standard.
Telephone connection . The international country code is 58. The outgoing international code is 00.
Venezuela has a quite modern telecommunications system. Venezuela’s cellular communications system is fairly well developed, although coverage is limited mainly to the northern part of the country and major cities. Roaming with Russia is available to subscribers of the largest Russian operators.
Security . Moving around Caracas at night is not recommended, and the city center is considered unsafe even in the evening. In crowded places, pickpocketing and fraud are not uncommon, and the level of violent crime has also increased.
Tipping. Tipping is usually 5-10% of the bill. Most high-end bars and restaurants automatically add 10% to the bill, but even then, the accepted norm is to give an extra tip to the wait staff (more often than not, the money is simply left on the table).
In hotels, tips are most often included in the bill, but additional payments are not forbidden. For taxis, round the amount up.
Medical help. All visitors are provided with medical insurance. We advise you to carefully read the insurance conditions set out in your policy. In the event of an insured event, it is necessary to contact the 24-hour dispatch center of the service company, the phone number of which is indicated in the insurance policy, or contact the guide. We recommend that you bring any medicines you usually use with you. When entering Venezuela from Peru, a yellow fever certificate is required. When visiting the Amazon regions in Venezuela and other countries of the region, vaccination is recommended. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
Sun. _ Use a high protection sun cream.
Customs regulations:
Import and export of foreign and local currency is not limited, amounts over $10,000 are subject to declaration. Gold and jewelry are also required to be declared.
Persons over the age of 18 are allowed duty-free import of up to 200 cigarettes or up to 25 cigars; up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages; up to 4 bottles of perfumes, as well as other goods in a package worth no more than $1,000 (for passengers on international flights).
It is forbidden to import vegetables, plants or materials of plant origin, drugs and drug-containing drugs, meat and meat products, firearms and ammunition (requires a permit from the local police), as well as objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value.
Important: All airports in the 27 countries of the European Union must check passengers’ hand luggage and not allow liquids in excess of 100 milliliters, with a total volume of no more than 1 liter, to be carried on board aircraft. Medicines and baby food are checked separately and are not limited in volume. Perfumes, drinks, alcohol and aerosols purchased from duty-free shops at the airport and packed in sealed plastic bags can also be carried in hand luggage. BUT!!! If a passenger has a flight with a transfer, liquids purchased at the airport of departure will not be allowed on board, they can only be purchased at the transfer airport.
