Venezuela: Introduction

Venezuela is a country located in South America bordering the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Venezuela has a strategic location on major sea routes linking North and South America. Neighboring countries include Brazil, Colombia, and Guyana. The geography of Venezuela is varied and consists of the Andes Mountains in northwest and the Guiana Highlands in southeast. The government system of Venezuela is a federal republic; the chief of state and head of government is the president. Venezuela has a largely command economy in which the central government directs the economy regarding the production and distribution of goods. Venezuela is a member of the Common Market of the South (Mercosur).