Venezuela

History of Venezuela by Nate Garrett

Venezuela, meaning "Little Venice," is a country located on the Northern tip of South America. It is home to over 26 million people. Venezuela was first colonized by Spain in 1522 in what is now called Cumaná, which is located on the Northeast corner of the country along the Caribbean Sea. As stated in the //Historical Dictionary of Venezuela,// Caracas became the colonial capital in 1576. The country wasn't as important to the Spanish due to its lack of mineral-producing abilities compared to the Western colonies of South America. In that time the only way Venezuela gained it's wealth was from cocao and tabacco plantations. But, it wasn't until the 20 century when Venezuela found it's new gold; oil.
 * Venezuela**

Venezuela is unique, in the sense that, it is home to the Andes mountains, the Amazon rain forest, the grassland of the llanos, and the Caribbean Sea.

"Americans;** Let us no longer be the object of the sarcasm of those wretched Spaniards who are superior to us only in wickedness, while they do not excel us in valor, because our indulgence is what gives them their strength. If they appear great to us, it is because we are on our knees. Lut us avenge three centuries of shame. War alone can only save us through the path of honor!" (Simón Bolívar)
 * Independence of Venezuela


 * Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y Blanco de Rodríguez**, also known as Simón Bolívar was born on July 24, 1783 in Caracas, Venezuela. He grew up idolizing the ways of democracy in the United States and always considered himself to be "liberal." While he felt the "vice" of Spanish rule in South America, he felt it his duty to bring liberty to his country and home land and thus started a revolution in South America from 1807-1828.

Simón Bolívar was an influential leader of Venezuela that led his country to gain it's independence from Spanish rule. He was known as "El Libertador," (the liberator) for his successful campaign against Spain in bringing independence to what is now present day Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia.

After serving as the 1st President of Colombia from December 17, 1819 to May 4, 1830 he stepped down due to a fight with tuberculosis. In his last speech to his followers he was quoted saying, "All who served the Revolution have plowed the sea." Later that year the disease took his life on December 17, 1830.


 * Plaza Bolívar**

Today Simón Bolívar is honored for his courage of bringing liberty to the land in South America. With his successful camaigns he gained influence and help all over the country. In every town and city in Venezuela and Colombia there is a main square known as Plaza Bolívar that usually has a bust or a statue of Bolívar. The most famous of these plazas are found in Bogotá and Caracas. He is also a figure on the Venezuelan coin as seen below.




 * Gaita Zuliana, A Venezuelan Style of Music**

A gaita is a style of music in Venezuela that allows the singer to express his/her feelings about life, family, country, government, etc. They can be songs that range from humor to protests. They became very popular in Venezuela during the 1960's and fused together with salsa and merengue music. Here is a gaita in protest of the government titled //Justicia.//

** Justicia ** El sistema de gobierno mas perfecto es aquel que produce mayor suma de felicidad posible, y mayor suma de seguridad social. (Simon Bolivar)
 * Por **
 * VHG **

La sangre la hizo Dios para correr por las venas no para mojar la arena por el odio y el rancor. Me da rabia Venezuela que te lleven de rodilla el ampa droga y guerrilla. Acaban con esta tierra y es para ti.

Yo le canto al abogado y al que asesina gente. Voy contigo presidente. Si no nos tiendes la mano, seras el mas delincuente del pueblo Venezolano. Luchamos por nuestro pais Venezuela.

Que te llamen delincuente no puede ser mas ofensa que tu pierdas la verguenza por no cuidar a tu gente. Padre que abandona a su hijo origina la violencia. Se transforma en delincuencia; tu estas hacienda lo mismo. Guerrilleros Colombianos ellos mas otras naciones son partes de los hampones que matan a nuestros soldados. Mas tu granito de arena es permitir a comandantes que manden a principiantes a morir en la frontera. Hasta cuando señor president.

Con la bendicion de Dios y el apoyo de mi pueblo el respaldo del gaitero mi libertad de exprecion. De seguro que Simon siempre salia triunfante porque marchaba adelante a defender la nacion. De esta manera Venezuela habla gaitiando. VHG

Muchos años que contigo gaiteros bien conversaron con dignidad protestaron hablandote como amigo. Mas Yo no soy tu enemigo pero te quiero aclarar que si nos quereis callar nos ampara nuestro himno: la ley respetando la virtud y honor.


 * Special Venezuelan** **Lexicon**
 * = Chamo ||= Boy ||
 * = Chevere, Fino ||= Cool ||
 * = Pana, Compinche ||= Friend ||
 * = Epale ||= hello, hi ||
 * = Que mas ||= what's up ||
 * = Conchale ||= wow, darn it ||
 * = Que rollo ||= what a problem ||
 * = Chimbo ||= piece of junk ||


 * Bibliography**

"Gaita Zuliana" [] Garrett, Katty "Venezuelan Vocabulary" del Río, Daniel A. "The Admirable Campaign." __Simón Bolívar__. 1965 Rudolph, Donna Keyse & G.A. __Historical Dictionary of Venezuela__. 1971 "Simón Bolívar" [] "Venezuela; History and Culture" []


 * Photos**

Map of Venezuela [] Plaza Bolívar [|www.shunya.net/Pictures/Venezuela/Venezuela.htm] Simón Bolívar [] Venezuelan Coin

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