Venezuela

Venezuela has a federal republic style of government. It is under a constitution and has an elected president who serves as both head of government and head of state. The nation has a 167-seat unicameral National Assembly. There are 23 states, 11 federally controlled island groups and a government district that includes parts of Caracas.

Venezuelan society is patriarchal in nature where gender roles are clearly defined. The society expects women to manage the household chores and children. However, women also participate in agricultural work in rural areas. Although Venezuelan law provides equal rights and freedoms to both men and women, in practice, men enjoy a higher status in society than women. The country has a distinct national brand of machismo. Although Venezuelan women are making great advances in the field of education and employment today, gender-based discrimination in the employment sector continues to exist. A significant section of the country’s women participates in the beauty pageant industry where women are trained to compete in international beauty competitions.

The cuisine of Venezuela is influenced by the cuisines of its indigenous inhabitants as well as West African and European cuisines. One of the most popular main dishes is Arepas, it is a dish prepared from ground maize dough or cooked flour.

Venezuela’s traditional clothing is influenced and has a touch of French, Spanish, and Caribbean styles. Nowadays, some clothing is generally worn during special celebrations while in their everyday wear; Western-style clothing is being worn. In Venezuelan women, their traditional wear is long decorative skirt or dress and white blouses is worn off one or both shoulders to compliment the colorful skirts worn by them while Venezuelan men wear Liqui liquid, it is a simple jacket partnered with pants.

Venezuela has also a rich heritage of music and dance. Their national musical instrument is “Cuatro” and the most popular Venezuelan folk song in the country is “Caballo Viejo” which is composed by Simón Díaz. They also have Joropo dance which is their national dance and another indigenous style of music that originated in Maracaibo in the Zulia State.

Angel Falls

In the heart of the country, where table top mountains rise up like giant monoliths from the surrounding landscape, is Angel Falls. Dropping 979 meters, it is the highest waterfall in the world and one of the highlights of South America.

This stunning site in Canaima National Park is remote and difficult to access, but flights over the falls are easily arranged.

The best time to see the falls is during the rainy season, between May and November, when water is plentiful and the falls do not disappear into a mist before reaching the bottom as they do in the dry season. During the dry season, the falls may be little more than a trickle and you will want to check in advance to see if there is enough water to make the trip worthwhile.