Venezuela		Back to table of contents
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Entry Regulations / General Information
	Entry for German Nationals
	Travellers entering the county as tourists or visitors are exempt from holding a visa for a stay of 90 days, provided they hold a tourist card (airline), a national passport valid for six months beyond the period of the intended stay, the tickets for their return or onward journey, and sufficient funds for their stay.
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	Geographical Location
	The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is located in the north-east of Southern America between 1° and 12° northern latitude and 73° western longitude. To the north it is bordered by the Caribbean Sea (coastal length of approximately 3,200km), to the east by Guyana and the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by Brazil, and to the west and south-west by Colombia. Total area: 912,050 km². Administrative divisions: 23 states, one capital district (Caracas), federal dependencies (mostly islands).
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	Population
	Population: approximately 25 million. Cities (approximate numbers): Caracas (capital, 912 m above sea level) 6 million; Maracaibo 1.8 million; Valencia 1.4 million; Barquisimeto 876,000; Maracay 459,000; San Cristóbal 307,000; Cumana 269,000.
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	Language
	The official language in Venezuela is Spanish. In some regions, Indian languages are used in everyday life. Sometimes English, French, German and Portuguese is spoken.
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	Time Difference
	Central European Time (CET) -5 hours. During the European summer time the time difference is -6 hours.
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	Electricity
	110V alternating current, 60Hz. American flat plugs are used; accordingly, travellers are recommended to carry an adapter.
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	Postal Service
	For airmail to Europe, up to one week has to be allowed for.
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	Telephone
	The international dialling code for calls from Western Europe to Venezuela is 0058; for international calls from Venezuela, the prefix "00" must be dialled prior to the relevant country code (in the case of calls to Germany, for example, 0049). Phone cards can be obtained from the offices of the C.A.N.T.V. and also at the airports and in some hotels. The appropriate telephone boxes are likewise located at the branch offices of the C.A.N.T.V., as well as in numerous public places. Long-distance calls made from there are much cheaper than from the hotels. Fax machines are available in bigger hotels. EMERGENCY NUMBERS: police 17, ambulance 15, fire brigade 18.
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	Mobile Phones
	Mobile network technologies: GSM 900. Information for users of mobile phones registered with German network providers: Mobile phones connected to the E-Plus, O2, T-Mobile or Vodafone networks can be used due to international roaming agreements. Travellers intending to use other mobile phones are advised to contact their network provider for detailed information.
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	Internet
	Country code suffix: .ve
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	Public Holidays
	1st January (New Year), Monday before Lent, Shrove Tuesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, 19th April (Revolution Day), 1st May (Labor Day), 24th June (Battle of Carabobo), 5th July (Independence Day), 24th July Simón Bolivar`s Birthday), 12th October (Ibero-America-Day), 25th December (Christmas). Banks (and usually also insurance companies) are also closed on the following religious holidays: Epiphany (6th January), Ascension Day, Corpus Christi, Peter and Paul (29th June), Assumption Day (15th August) All Saints' Day (1st November), Immaculate Conceptions (8th December). If one of these public holidays falls on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, it is brought forward to the following Monday. Business trips should not be planned during the carnival season or during the Easter week. Main holiday season in Venezuela is from July to September.
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	Opening Hours
	Banks: Mon to Fri 9a.m.-4p.m. Offices: Mon to Fri 8a.m.-5p.m. (lunch break usually 12p.m.-1p.m.) Public offices: normally Mon to Fri 8a.m.-5p.m. (lunch break usually 12p.m.-1p.m.) Post offices: Mon to Fri 8a.m.-6p.m. (with 2-3 hour lunch break) Shops: normally Mon to Sat 9a.m.-1p.m., 3p.m.-7p.m.; supermarkets are usually open 8a.m.-7p.m., also on Sundays and public holidays. Some grocery shops are open all week until around 9p.m.
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	Clothes
	In the hot zone, in the lowlands of Maracaibo and in the Llanos tropical clothes are required. European summer clothes are appropriate for the temperate zone (Caracas). Light woollen garments or a light jacket are needed for the evenings, which can sometimes get rather chilly. Warmer clothes should invariably be taken as well when staying in the mountains. Good sunglasses and rainwear are required at all times.
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	© 2001 All rights reserved TIP Gesellschaft für Touristik-Informations-Programme mbH, München Last updated: 14.03.2007 - Proposals, hints and contact - Copyright