Elizabeth Autry (Susana)

January 28, 2011

1st Period

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ÕACTS:

˜ Country Name: Venezuela

˜ Capital: Caracas

˜ Location: Northern Hemisphere;

South America
jELIGION
˜ jeligious freedom is
guaranteed by the
constitution.
˜ 90% of population is
joman Catholic.
˜ Many Catholics do not
attend church services
regularly, but still
profess faith in God.
˜ Protestant and other
Christian faiths are
becoming more
prevalent.
TjADITIONAL DjESS

˜ Urban people today often

dress in current European
styles.
˜ Professional men and
women wear suits.
˜ Cotton clothing is most
common and comfortable
during the Summer.
TYPICAL ÕOOD
˜ Common foods include
pasta, rice, beans,
chicken, potatoes, and
fish.
˜ Venezuelans love arepas,
deep fried thick pancakes
sometimes filled with
butter, meat, and cheese.
 ÕAMILY HOUSING

˜ The father dominates in ˜ Households commonly

the home, but it is the include members of
mother·s responsibility extended family.
to raise the children and ˜ The upper class live in
manage the household. spacious homes or
˜ About half of all births luxury apartments.
are out of wedlock. ˜ The middle class live in
˜ Õamily ties are strong houses or tall apartment
and most families are buildings.
close-knit. ˜ The lower class live in
neighborhoods
containing inadequate
dwellings.
DATING/MAjjIAGE
˜ Traditions are similar
to those in other
western countries.
˜ Weddings are social
events and usually
contain two
ceremonies: a civil
ceremony for legal
recognition and an
optional religious
ceremony.
HOLIDAYS, ÕESTIVALS, AND
CELEBjATIONS
˜ Towns and cities hold
annual ferias
(festivals) honoring
their local patron
saint.
˜ The week preceding
Easter (Semana Santa
or ´Holy Weekµ) is
widely celebrated.
CUSTOMS AND TjADITIONS
˜ Venezuelans enjoy
visiting friends and
relatives.
˜ Hospitality and
friendship are
important to people in
Venezuela.
˜ They take pride in
their country·s rich
culture.
GOVEjNMENT
˜ Venezuela is a
republic.
˜ President serves a six
year term.
˜ The legal voting age is
18 years.
˜ The National
Assembly holds 167
people.
ECONOMY
˜ Venezuela is a member
of the Organization of
Petroleum Exporting
Countries.
˜ Petroleum accounts for
more than 80% of export
earnings and
government revenues.
˜ The standard of living in
Venezuela is currently
falling.
˜ A large portion of the
population lives in
poverty.
CUjjENCY
˜ The Bolivar Õuerte is
the new currency of
Venezuela since 2008.
˜ It is subdivided into
100 centimos.
˜ It replaced the bolivar
due to inflation.
TjANSPOjTATION
˜ Most Venezuelans use
public transportation.
˜ Õew people can afford
private cars.
˜ ´Por Puestoµ is a
system of taxi-like
automobiles that
travel through the
city.
EDUCATION
˜ Education is
compulsory (though
not enforced) from
ages 7 to 14.
˜ All education
(including university
level) is free in public
institutions.
˜ School year begins in
October and ends in
July of following year.
CLIMATE/WEATHEj
˜ Venezuela has a
tropical climate.
˜ There are two main
seasons: wet and dry.
˜ The rainy season is
from May to
November.
˜ Earthquakes are not
infrequent.
LANDSCAPE/TEjjAIN
˜ Venezuela is slightly
larger than Texas and
Oklahoma combined.
˜ The Andes Mountains
dominate the west.
˜ The south is mostly a
reserve for the country·s
14,000 Yanomami tribes.
HISTOjY
˜ Columbus was the
first European to
explore the area.
˜ The Spanish later
began conquering
regions of Venezuela.
˜ They named
Venezuela, ´Little
Venice,µ because the
coastal homes were
built on stilts, which
reminded them of
Venice, Italy.
GESTUjES, WOjDS, SLANG, AND
OTHEj

˜ People generally use ˜ Venezuelans admire

their hands during honesty, generosity,
conversation. and a good sense of
humor.
˜ It is courteous to
maintain eye contact.
˜ It is considered rude to
slouch or prop feet up.