Official country name: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (República Bolivariana de Venezuela) / Area: 912,050 sq km (355,700 sq mi) / Greatest extent: 1,050 km (650 mi) from north to south, 1,290 km (800 mi) from east to west. / Population: 23,203,466 (July 1999) / Capital city: Caracas (population ca. 3,500,000) / People: 67% mestizo; 21% European descent; 10% African descent; 2% Indian. / Language: Spanish is the official language, but there are more than 30 Indian languages. / Religion: 96% Roman Catholic, 2% Protestant. / Government: Democracy President: Hugo Chávez Frías (since 3 February 1999) / Visas: US nationals, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, and most Western and Scandinavian Europeans do not require a visa if they fly directly to Venezuela. All foreigners entering Venezuela by land require a valid visa. Check for a Venezuelan Embassy in your Country. / Time: GMT/UTC minus 4 hours / Electricity: 110V, 60 Hz / Weights & measures: Metric