Venezuela: A journey through history, culture and nature – with an insight into collector’s coins

The diversity of Venezuela: flag, languages ​​and religion

Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a fascinating country that impresses with its rich history, diverse cultures and breathtaking nature. Let’s take a look at this South American gem.

The national flag of Venezuela

The flag of Venezuela bears the tricolor, originally adopted by Gran Colombia, accompanied by an arc of stars symbolizing the original provinces. The coat of arms shows an ear of wheat, a horse, various tools, weapons, flags, two cornucopias and branches of laurel and palm, tied with a ribbon.

Historical Insights: From the Indigenous Peoples to the Arrival of the Europeans

Before colonization, Venezuela was home to the Carib, Arawak and Chibcha peoples. Archaeological evidence suggests that human habitation in Venezuela dates back over 10,000 years. During his third voyage to South America in 1498, Christopher Columbus became the first European to set foot in what is now Venezuela. The region was given the name “Little Venice” by European explorers.

Venezuela after the dissolution of Gran Colombia

After the dissolution of Gran Colombia in 1830, modern Venezuela emerged as one of three separate countries. The short-lived Republic of Gran Colombia, founded by the revolutionary Simón Bolívar, included the territories of present-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama, as well as parts of northern Peru, western Guyana and northwestern Brazil.

Colorful traditions and delicacies of Venezuela

In Caracas, streets are closed during the Christmas season so that people can roller skate to church for early mass. Along the way, skaters pull on long cords attached to children’s big toes. Venezuela is characterized by a rich diversity of orchids, with an impressive 25,000 species. Among them, the “Flor de Mayo orchid” is the national flower.

Sport and cuisine in Venezuela

The main sports in Venezuela are baseball, basketball and football. Venezuelan cuisine reflects a fusion of European, West African and indigenous influences. Venezuela’s geographical diversity contributes to significant variations in cuisine from one region to another.

Traditional Venezuelan drinks

• Batido : A thick fruit juice with a higher fruit to water ratio, perfect for hot days!
• Chicha : Similar to other Andean countries, this fermented drink is popular in Venezuela. It consists of boiled rice, milk and sugar.
• Cocada : A milkshake made from coconut milk, commonly found along the coast.
• Frescolita : A popular red soft drink in Venezuela, reminiscent of cream sodas in the United States.

Historical personalities and coins

José Antonio Páez Herrera and Rafael José Urdaneta y Farías , both important figures in the Venezuelan independence movement, will be honored with exclusive commemorative coins. These coins, issued by the Casa de Moneda de México and the Royal Canadian Mint respectively, provide a fascinating insight into Venezuela’s rich history. Antonio José de Sucre y Alcalá: A key player in the independence movement Antonio José de Sucre , known as the “Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho”, played a crucial role in South America’s quest for independence from the Spanish Empire. The Royal Canadian Mint honored him with a 200th anniversary gold coin. Birthday.

Conservation through coins: The “Cock of the Rocks”

The ” Cock of the Rocks “, immortalized on a gold coin in 1975, contribute to Venezuela’s commitment to nature conservation. These impressive birds are native to tropical and subtropical rainforests near rocky terrain. Overall, Venezuela offers a fascinating mix of history, culture and nature. The country’s commemorative coins and diversity reflect a rich and complex identity.