Venezuelan People

Stacy Langan

About 68 percent of the population is mestizo (mixed race), 21 percent-unmixed Caucasian, 10 percent African, and 1 percent Indian. Basic education consists of nine years of compulsory schooling.

The Venezuelan government is a functioning representative democratic system. It establishes a federal republic of twenty states, two federal territories (Amazonas and Delta Amacuro), a Federal District (Caracas), and seventy-two island dependencies. Like the US the central government is divided into executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The president, who dominates governmental affairs, is elected every five years. Presidents cannot run for reelection until two intervening terms (ten years) have passed.

The food in Venezuela is generally easy and flavorful Venezuelan cooking has European, indigenous, and African roots - an unorthodox cuisine formed over the centuries by immigrants. Some native dishes are: Pabellon – a stewed and shredded meat dish accompanied by rice, black beans and banana; Hallaca – a traditional Christmas dish; Cachapa – a type of sweet corn pancake served with cheese; and Arepas – a type of round cornmeal biscuit.

There are about 180 radio stations and 5 television stations in; and approximately 2.8 million television sets. Because of inadequate telephone service, some utilities, oil companies, and the military maintain their own systems.

Venezuela may have been a quiet outpost on the edge of the Spanish Empire, but it gave birth to the man who would one day turn that empire on its head: Simon Bolivar. With the help of British mercenaries, Bolivar and his followers campaigned against the Spanish tirelessly, marching across the Andes and liberating Venezuela in 1821.

Tips are discretionary but in the majority of bars and restaurants 10% is added to the bill and it is customary to leave another 10% on the table. Bellboys and chambermaids should be tipped, and in Caracas tips are higher than elsewhere.

Shaking hands or using the local abrazo, a cross between a hug and a handshake, are the normal forms of greeting. Smoking follows European habits and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke. Some public buildings are also non-smoking areas.