Formal Name
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Local Name
Venezuela

Local Formal Name
República Bolivariana de Venezuela



Location: South America

Status: UN Country

Capital City: Caracas

Main Cities: Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Valencia

Population: 21,051,000   Area [sq.km]: 912,050

Currency: 1 bolívar = 100 céntimos

Main Languages: Spanish

Main Religions: Roman Catholic

Adopted March 13, 2006

The Venezuela flag, with yellow, blue & red stripes of equal width, was introduced in 1836 and has since undergone several modifications in the arms and the arrangement of the stars.  The latest change occured in March, 2006.  The seven stars represent the seven provinces that began the fight for independence.  In 2006, the 8th star was added to honor Simon Bolivar.  Them emblems on the arms symbolize the unity of the 20 provinces (a wheatsheaf with 20 ears), the struggle for independence (flags and weapons) and liberty (a running horse) which is running toward the left of the shield in order to symbolize twenty-first century socialism.  The cornucopias stand for the country's wealth and prosperity, and the wreath of laurel and palm is a symbol of glory and peace.