Venezuela: A Country Profile

Capital: Caracas.
Major Cities: Caracas, 1.8 million inhabitants; Zulia, 2.9 million; and Carabolo, 1.9 million
(2003).
Independence: July 5, 1811, from Spain.
Public Holidays: Año Nuevo (New Year's Day), January 1; Carnaval (Carnival), the Monday
and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, movable dates in early February to early March; Día de
San José (St. Joseph's Day), March 19; Jueves Santo (Holy Thursday) and Viernes Santo (Holy
Friday), movable holidays in March or April; Signing of Independence, April 19; Primero de
Mayo (Labor Day), May 1; Ascension, May 20;* Corpus Christi, June 10;* Sagrado Corazón
(Sacred Heart), June 18;* Battle of Carabobo, June 24; San Pedro y San Pablo (Saint Peter and
Saint Paul), June 29;...