World Enivironmental Issues Brief

  • LARGE AREAS SUBJECT TO OVERPOPULATION
  • INDUSTRIAL DISASTERS
  • POLLUTION (air, water, acid rain, toxic substances)
  • LOSS OF VEGETATION (overgrazing, deforestation, desertification)
  • LOSS OF WILDLIFE
  • SOIL DEGRADATION
  • SOIL DEPLETION
  • EROSION
  • GLOBAL WARMING

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Global Issues Snapshots

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Venezuela

— Current Environmental Issues —
sewage pollution of Lago de Valencia; oil and urban pollution of Lago de Maracaibo; deforestation; soil degradation; urban and industrial pollution, especially along the Caribbean coast; threat to the rainforest ecosystem from irresponsible mining operations

— Health Indicators —
HIV / AIDS prevalancy rate: 0.7
Fertility Rate: 2.6
Infant Mortality Rate: 22.5
Life Expectancy at Birth: Male: 70.2
Life Expectancy at Birth: Female: 76.0
Life Expectancy at Birth: Total Population: 73.3

— Population —
Population Total: 26,023,528
Population Growth Rate: 1.5

— Economic Indicators —
GDP Real Growth Rate: 8.8
Military Expendatures Percent of GDP: 2.0
Unemployment Rate: 8.9
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 15.8
GDP Per Capita PPP: 6,900
Population Below Poverty Line: 38
    (Definitions of poverty vary considerably among nations.)

— Education and Communications —
Global Issues Snapshots
Global Issues Snapshots
Bordering country: Brazil
Bordering country: Colombia
Bordering country: Guyana

— Background —
Venezuela was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Ecuador and New Granada, which became Colombia). For most of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since 1959. Hugo CHAVEZ, president since 1999, has promoted a controversial policy of "democratic socialism," which purports to alleviate social ills while at the same time attacking globalization and undermining regional stability. Current concerns include: a weakening of democratic institutions, political polarization, a politicized military, drug-related violence along the Colombian border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining operations that are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.