Venezuela: Agricultura, Petróleo, Población e Industria

Nota: El siguiente documento ha sido corregido y estructurado. Contiene secciones en español y en inglés, reflejando la naturaleza mixta del texto original. Se han mantenido todos los contenidos, incluyendo repeticiones, según las instrucciones.

Prioridades de Desarrollo

• Desarrollo de la salud.
• Desarrollar planes para la adquisición de recursos económicos.
• Intensificar planes del gobierno en relación con el analfabetismo.

Los Suelos de Venezuela

1. Generalidades

Generalmente se piensa que las condiciones del suelo del país son adecuadas para cualquier actividad agropecuaria. Esto es falso. Sin embargo, se podrían cosechar muchos productos agrícolas en gran parte del territorio nacional.

2. Región Costa-Montaña

Posee los cinco pisos térmicos y una gran variedad de microclimas, desde la región xerofítica hasta las cumbres congeladas. Se compone principalmente por el pie de monte y valles fértiles. Igualmente, posee ríos que pueden utilizarse para el riego.

3. Región de los Llanos

Esta región se caracteriza por tener suelos arenosos y no aptos para la agricultura, pero existen algunas zonas donde se puede desarrollar esta actividad con bastante éxito, tales como los estados Portuguesa, Barinas, Guárico, Cojedes, Anzoátegui y Monagas.

4. Región de Guayana

A diferencia de lo que se pueda creer, los suelos de esta región son pobres y el desarrollo agrícola es a pequeña escala. Resalta la producción de madera, que es controlada por las autoridades; sin embargo, muchas áreas han sido deforestadas ilegalmente.

Sistemas de Producción

1. Producción tradicional o extensiva

1.1. Definición

Es la que depende únicamente de los factores naturales de producción: temporada de lluvia o sequía. Normalmente solo alcanza para el autoconsumo familiar y las técnicas de producción son anticuadas.

1.2. Características

• Depende de los factores naturales de producción.
• Básicamente la producción es para el autoconsumo y no es suficiente para la venta.
• La extensión familiar es pequeña, lo que limita su potencial de producción.
• Las técnicas de producción son anticuadas.
• En el caso de la actividad pecuaria, es escaso el número de animales que se poseen y pueden tener variadas especies en un solo lugar, dificultando el desarrollo óptimo de estos.
• Desarrollo familiar limitado y poca movilidad social.

2. Producción empresarial o intensiva

2.1. Definición

Es la que se alimenta de la inversión privada o pública para potenciar los campos de producción.

2.2. Características

• La producción es potenciada por las inversiones privadas o públicas.
• Se utiliza maquinaria adecuada para la siembra y cosecha de los rubros.
• Se desarrolla en grandes extensiones y utiliza avances tecnológicos.
• Los trabajadores poseen un sueldo y se les otorgan los beneficios de ley.
• Se combaten las plagas con agentes químicos o biológicos.

3. Pesca tradicional

• Utiliza redes y cañas de pescar.
• Generalmente pocas personas trabajan por embarcación.
• Las embarcaciones son pequeñas y de poca capacidad de carga.
• Pescan a poca distancia de la costa.
• Pueden reunirse en cooperativas para repartir gastos y ganancias.

4. Pesca comercial

• Utiliza embarcaciones grandes.
• Las embarcaciones más modernas pueden procesar y congelar el pescado dentro de ellas.
• Pueden pasar varios días en alta mar para aprovechar al máximo el tiempo de pesca.
• Generan fuentes de empleo directamente.
• Generan fuentes de empleo indirectamente.

5. Tecnología y su Impacto en Zonas Agrícolas

• La maquinaria moderna: Con ella se pueden cultivar y cosechar más eficientemente.
• Las últimas tecnologías en genética: Se utilizan en las especies vegetales para mejorar su resistencia a las plagas, sabor, textura, etc.
• Herbicidas: Eliminan o evitan los insectos perjudiciales para los cultivos.
• Tala y quema: Se utiliza para ganar espacio cultivable, pero puede acarrear daños al suelo.
• Riego: Llevando agua a tierras que no la tienen, se puede explotar su potencial.
• Ingeniería: Desviando los ríos y creando represas, se puede almacenar agua posibilitando el cultivo en zonas donde antes no se podía.
• Los lugares con potencial agrícola dan asentamiento a los humanos.

Producción Agropecuaria Nacional

1. Subsector Pecuario

• Mayor productor de porcino: Aragua.
• Mayores productores de bovino: Zulia.
• Mayores productores de ovino: Zulia.
• Mayores productores de caprino: Lara.
• Mayores productores de aves: Aragua.
• Mayores productores de huevos (consumo): Zulia.
• Mayores productores de huevos (fértiles): Carabobo.
• Mayores productores de leche: Zulia.
• Mayores productores de queso: Zulia.

2. Subsector Agrícola Vegetal

Cereales

• Arroz: Portuguesa.
• Maíz: Portuguesa.
• Sorgo: Portuguesa.

Leguminosas

• Arveja: Trujillo.
• Caraota: Guárico.
• Fríjol: Guárico.

Textiles y Oleaginosas

• Ajonjolí: Portuguesa.
• Algodón: Barinas.
• Coco: Falcón.
• Maní: Anzoátegui.

Raíces y Tubérculos

• Apio: Mérida.
• Batata: Yaracuy.
• Ñame: Miranda.
• Yuca: Zulia.

Otros Cultivos Importantes

• Café: Lara.
• Cacao: Sucre.
• Tabaco: Cojedes.
• Caña de Azúcar: Portuguesa.

3. Subsector Pesquero

Especies capturadas en nuestro país:

• En el mar: Jurel, bagre, camarones, carite.
• En el río: Bagre, cachama, coporo, curvina.
• Acuicultura: Cultivo de camarones, tilapia, mejillones y crustáceos.

4. Subsector Forestal

La producción de madera del país es de menor desarrollo en proporción con los otros subsectores; sin embargo, se está reforestando adecuadamente en las áreas taladas.

La producción de este sector está en manos privadas. Mucha de la producción de madera es por tala ilegal. Los estados con mayor deforestación son Zulia, Cojedes, Yaracuy, Lara y Bolívar.

5. Problemas Ambientales de la Actividad Agropecuaria

En el suelo:

• Degradación o pérdida de calidad.
• Salinización o acumulación de sales por el riego.
• Erosión: Arrastre del suelo por el viento o el agua.
• Contaminación química: Por exceso de uso de pesticidas y herbicidas.
• Pérdida de nutrientes: Por sobreexplotación de los suelos.

En los bosques:

• Deforestación: Producto del aprovechamiento de la madera o uso de los espacios para la agricultura o cría de animales.
• Quema, incendios accidentales.
• Pérdida de hábitats de especies animales y vegetales.
• Explotación inadecuada de especies endémicas.

Animales:

• Caza ilegal.
• Peligro de extinción de especies.

Aguas dulces:

• Contaminación por desechos vertidos en ríos, lagos y mares.

Mares:

• Destrucción de corales por las redes de arrastre.
• Sobreexplotación de los peces.

Cuencas Petrolíferas de Venezuela

1. Depresión del Lago de Maracaibo

Ubicación: Está incluida dentro de la hoya hidrográfica del mismo nombre. Comprende los estados Zulia, parte de Táchira, Mérida y Trujillo y su área es de 50.000 km².

Evolución: Su evolución se vio afectada por una serie de invasiones y regresiones del mar que fueron fundamentales para la sedimentación de rocas generadoras de petróleo, así como recipientes para su almacenaje. Comenzó a presentar la configuración actual hace 15 millones de años (MA) en el Mioceno medio.

Importancia económica: Esta cuenca es la de mayor importancia en América del Sur. Sus reservas se calculan en más de 138.000 millones de barriles (MB) y hay que agregar los campos recuperables que se calculan en más de 7.500 MB.

2. Cuenca Oriental

Ubicación: Está en la zona centro oriental del país. Sus límites son: al sur el curso del río Orinoco; al oeste, el levantamiento del baúl y el curso de los ríos Portuguesa y Pao; al norte, las serranías del interior; al este, sigue la cuenca del Golfo de Paria y termina en el Atlántico. Su extensión este-oeste es de 800 km, de norte-sur, 200 km. El área total es de 265.000 km² y comprende los estados Guárico, Anzoátegui, Monagas, Sucre y Delta Amacuro.

Evolución: Se inició hace 350 (MA) en el Devónico-Carbonífero donde ocurrió una importante sedimentación, y hace 200 (MA) comenzó a mostrar su aspecto actual.

Importancia económica: Es la segunda de importancia en Venezuela por sus más de 30 pozos gigantes, que tienen más de 100 millones de barriles cada uno, más 260 pozos menores. Las reservas probadas en el área superan los 3 billones de barriles, convirtiéndose en la zona petrolera con mayores recursos.

3. Cuenca Falcón

(Descripción detallada en la sección en inglés sobre Cuencas Petrolíferas)

Population Distribution

1. Spatial Distribution

The spatial distribution in the Coast Mountain region is about 80% of the population, in the Plains region about 14%, and in the Guyana region about 6%.

1.1. Causes:

• In the Coastal-Mountain Region, the possibility of communication with the sea is higher.
• The land is fertile, and the largest estates are in this area.
• The Guayana Region is not easily reached; only 2 out of 100 people live in this region.
• Exploitation of oil deposits.
• Creation of large industrial and commercial centers.

1.2. Consequences:

• Large concentrations of population due to economic activities in the region.
• Fields are abandoned.
• Failure of public services.
• Deformation of our agricultural economy.
• Lack of land to build houses.

2. Population Density

Population density is the number of people living in an area, usually measured in km². Our density is 25.2 inhabitants per square kilometer.

3. Population by State (Ranked)

• Zulia: 2,983,679 (Rank 1)
• Miranda: 2,330,872 (Rank 2)
• Carabobo: 1,932,168 (Rank 3)
• Distrito Capital: 1,836,286 (Rank 4)
• Lara: 1,556,415 (Rank 5)
• Aragua: 1,449,616 (Rank 6)
• Bolívar: 1,214,846 (Rank 7)
• Táchira: 992,669 (Rank 8)
• Sucre: 786,483 (Rank 9)
• Falcón: 763,188 (Rank 10)
• Portuguesa: 725,740 (Rank 11)
• Mérida: 715,268 (Rank 12)
• Monagas: 712,626 (Rank 13)
• Guárico: 627,086 (Rank 14)
• Barinas: 624,508 (Rank 15)
• Trujillo: 608,563 (Rank 16)
• Yaracuy: 499,049 (Rank 17)
• Apure: 377,756 (Rank 18)
• Nueva Esparta: 373,851 (Rank 19)
• Vargas: 298,109 (Rank 20)
• Cojedes: 253,105 (Rank 21)
• Anzoátegui: 1,222,225 (Rank 22) (Note: Rank seems inconsistent with population number compared to others, original data maintained)
• Delta Amacuro: 97,987 (Rank 23)
• Amazonas: 70,464 (Rank 24)
• Dependencias Federales: 1,651 (Rank 25)

Migration

1. Definition

Migration is any movement of population from a place of origin to another destination that brings a change in usual residence.

2. Types of Migration

• External Migration: Occurs between countries.
• Internal Migration: Occurs between states within a country.

Internal migration usually involves an exodus of peasants and farmers: tenants (paying with money), sharecroppers (paying with produce), mixed (paying with both), and pisatarios (conuqueros who practice slash-and-burn agriculture without payment).

2.1. Causes of Internal Migration

• Search for other employment opportunities.
• Search for better weather.
• Changes caused by work.
• Relocations for study.
• Lack of land for housing in the city of origin.

2.2. Effects of Internal Migration

• Loss of urban development due to lack of population.
• Loss of agricultural economy when the farmer moves to the city.
• Depletion of the field when the farmer moves to the city.
• Lack of professional resources for a state due to their departure to other states.
• Overpopulation of the city to which immigrants move.

2.3. Causes of External Migration

• Job search.
• Political conflicts.
• Search for a better life for oneself and family.
• Search for better income.
• Search for better services (education, public services, etc.).

2.4. Consequences of External Migration

• Abandonment of the family to seek a better economy.
• Decrease in population.
• Rise of the undocumented population.
• Lack of professionals in a country.

3. Emigration and Immigration

• Emigration: When you leave your place of origin.
• Immigration: When you arrive at a new place.

Population Growth

1. Birth and Mortality Rates

• Birth Rate: The proportional number of births in a population in a given time.
• Mortality Rate: The proportional number of deaths in a population in a given time.

1.1. Causes of Population Growth

• The elimination of endemic diseases.
• Mass vaccination against diseases.
• The increase in the income of the population and their improved cultural background.
• The improvement of hygienic conditions in the country and the establishment of medical care centers.
• The decline in killings.

1.2. Consequences of Population Growth

• We are a young country; the majority of the population is under 34 years old.
• Almost 40% of our population is underage.
• Lack of schools to meet the needs of children and adolescents.
• Social programs are not supported, and thus the lowest-income people are affected.
• Employment opportunities must be created to meet the demand for them.

2. Population Distribution by Age and Sex

2.1. Population Pyramid

The population pyramid is a graphical representation of the distribution by age and sex of the population.

Economic Sectors of the Population

1. Active and Inactive Population

• Active Population: Those over 12 years old with productive capacity.
• Inactive Population: Those unable to enter the production process, e.g., students, disabled individuals, etc.

2. Economic Sectors

2.1. Primary Sector

Includes farmers, ranchers, fishermen, hunters, miners. (Raw material work).

2.2. Secondary Sector

Includes industrial activities.

2.3. Tertiary Sector

Includes commerce, transport, banking, professional bureaucracy.

3. Unemployed and Informal Population

• Unemployed Population: Persons aged 15 years or more, of either sex, who testified that during the week before the interview day they did not work and were seeking work.
• Informal Population (Casual): These are persons employed in domestic service, non-professional self-employed individuals (hawkers, drivers, carpenters, etc.).

4. Sectoral Distribution Over Time

• 1950: Primary, Tertiary, Secondary.
• 1961: Tertiary, Primary, Secondary. (Developed countries: Secondary, Tertiary, Primary).
• 1971: Tertiary, Secondary, Primary.

Urban and Rural Population

1. Definitions

• Urban: Those who live in cities that have public services available to them.
• Rural: Women living in rural areas or areas far from urban centers that lack public services.
• Marginal: Those who live in cities but in worse conditions than people living in rural areas.

2. Problems of Urban and Rural Population

• The value of land.
• Lack of planning and urban control.
• Crime.
• Environmental pollution.
• Distribution problems.
• Utilities.

3. Alternative Solutions

• Development of security.
• Promotion of investment in areas to curb overcrowding.
• Creation of more industries.
• Health and development.
• Elaboration of plans for the acquisition of economic resources.
• Intensify government plans to address illiteracy.

The Soils of Venezuela (English Version)

1. General Information

In general, it is assumed that the country's soil conditions are suitable for any agricultural activity. This is false. While many agricultural products can be harvested in large parts of the country.

2. Coast-Mountain Region

It has the five climatic zones and a variety of microclimates, ranging from the xerophytic region to the frozen peaks. It is mainly composed of foothills and fertile valleys. It also has rivers that can be used for irrigation.

3. Plains Region

This region is characterized by sandy soils not conducive to agriculture; however, there are areas where this activity can be developed quite successfully, such as the states of Portuguesa, Barinas, Guarico, Cojedes, Anzoategui, and Monagas.

4. Guayana Region

Contrary to what one might believe, the soils in this region are poor, and agricultural development is small-scale. Timber production, controlled by authorities, is notable; however, many areas have been illegally deforested.

Production Systems (English Version)

1. Traditional and Extensive Production

1.1. Definition

Production that depends solely on natural factors: rainy season or drought. Normally, it only achieves self-consumption, and production techniques are outdated.

1.2. Features

• Depends on natural factors of production.
• Production is mainly for self-consumption and not sufficient for sale.
• The extended family is small, limiting its production potential.
• Production techniques are outdated.
• In the case of animal products, the number of owned animals is low, and multiple species may be kept in one place, hindering their optimal development.
• Limited family development and social mobility.

2. Intensive or Business Production

2.1. Definition

Production fueled by private or public investment to enhance production in the fields.

2.2. Features

• Production is enhanced by private or public investments.
• Uses appropriate machinery for planting and harvesting.
• Is developed over large areas and uses technological advancements.
• Workers have a salary and other benefits provided by law.
• Pests are controlled with chemical or biological agents.

3. Traditional Fishing

• Uses nets and fishing rods.
• Few people usually work per boat.
• Boats are small with low carrying capacity.
• Fishing occurs at a short distance from the coast.
• They can form cooperatives to share costs and profits.

4. Commercial Fishing

• Uses large vessels.
• The newest vessels can process and freeze fish on board.
• They can spend several days at sea to maximize fishing time.
• Generate employment opportunities directly.
• Indirectly create employment opportunities.

5. Agricultural Technology and Population

• Modern machinery: With it, you can grow crops and harvest more efficiently.
• The latest genetic technologies: Used in cultivation to improve resistance to pests, taste, texture, etc.
• Herbicides: Prevent or eliminate crop pests.
• Slash and burn: Used to gain arable land, but can cause soil damage.
• Irrigation: Transporting water to land that does not have it can unlock its potential.
• Engineering: By diverting rivers and building dams, water can be stored for cultivation in areas where it was previously not possible.
• Places with agricultural potential provide settlement for humans.

National Agricultural Production (English Version)

1. Animal Agricultural Subsectors

• Largest Pork Producer: Aragua.
• Greater Beef Producers: Zulia.
• Greater Mutton/Lamb Producers: Zulia.
• Greater Goat Meat Producers: Lara.
• Greater Poultry Producers: Aragua.
• Largest Producer of Eggs (consumption): Zulia.
• Largest Producer of Eggs (fertile): Carabobo.
• Largest Producer of Milk: Zulia.
• Largest Manufacturer of Cheese: Zulia.

2. Plant Agricultural Subsectors

Cereals

• Rice: Portuguesa
• Corn: Portuguesa.
• Sorghum: Portuguesa.

Legumes

• Peas: Trujillo.
• Black Beans (Caraota): Guarico.
• Beans (Fríjol): Guarico.

Oilseeds and Fibers

• Sesame (Ajonjolí): Portuguesa.
• Cotton: Barinas.
• Coconut: Falcón.
• Peanuts (Maní): Anzoátegui.

Roots and Tubers

• Celery Root (Apio): Mérida.
• Sweet Potato (Batata): Yaracuy.
• Yam (Ñame): Miranda.
• Cassava (Yuca): Zulia.

Other Key Crops

• Coffee: Lara.
• Cacao: Sucre.
• Tobacco: Cojedes.
• Sugar Cane: Portuguesa.

3. Fisheries Subsector

Species caught in our country:

• In the Sea: Jack mackerel, catfish, shrimp, king mackerel.
• In the River: Catfish, cachama, coporo, croaker.
• Aquaculture: Shrimp farming, tilapia, mussels, and shellfish.

4. Forestry Subsector

The country's timber production is less developed relative to other subsectors; however, logged areas are being properly reforested.

Production in this sector is privately owned. Much of the timber production is illegal. The states with the highest deforestation are Zulia, Cojedes, Yaracuy, Lara, and Bolivar.

5. Environmental Problems of Agricultural Activity

Soil Issues:

• Degradation or loss of quality.
• Accumulation of salts or salinization due to irrigation.
• Erosion: Soil displacement by wind or water.
• Chemical pollution: Overuse of pesticides and herbicides.
• Loss of nutrients due to soil overexploitation.

In the Forest:

• Deforestation: Product of logging or land use for agriculture or livestock.
• Burning, accidental fires.
• Loss of animal and plant species populations.
• Inappropriate exploitation of native species.

Animals:

• Illegal hunting.
• Endangered species.

Freshwaters:

• Pollution from waste discharged into rivers, lakes, and seas.

Seas:

• Destruction of coral by trawling nets.
• Overfishing.

Oil Basins in Venezuela (English Version)

1. Maracaibo Lake Basin

Location: Contained within the same watershed. It includes the states of Zulia, part of Tachira, Merida, and Trujillo, and its area is 50,000 km².

Evolution: Its development was affected by a series of marine invasions and regressions instrumental in settling petroleum source rock and creating reservoirs for storage. It began to show its current configuration 15 million years ago (MA) in the Middle Miocene.

Economic Importance: This basin is the most important in South America. Its reserves are estimated at over 138,000 million barrels (MB), and recoverable fields are calculated to have over 7,500 MB.

2. Eastern Basin

Location: Located in the central east. Its boundaries are: the Orinoco River to the south; the El Baúl uplift and the Portuguesa and Pao rivers to the west; the interior mountain ranges to the north; and to the east, it follows the Gulf of Paria basin and ends at the Atlantic. Its east-west extension is 800 km, and north-south is 200 km. The total area is 265,000 km² and includes the states of Guarico, Anzoategui, Monagas, Sucre, and Delta Amacuro.

Evolution: Began 350 MA in the Devonian-Carboniferous period with significant sedimentation, and started showing its current form 200 MA.

Economic Importance: It is the second most important in Venezuela, with over 30 giant oil fields (each with over 100 million barrels) and over 260 smaller fields. Proven reserves in the area exceed 3 trillion barrels, making it the oil zone with the most resources.

3. Falcón Basin

Location: Located in the northwest of the country, bordered to the north and east by the Gulf of Venezuela coast, to the west by the Maracaibo Lake basin, and to the south by the Sierra de Churuguara. Its area is 35,000 km², extending from the mouth of the Yaracuy River to Castilletes, with a length of 320 km, and from Coro to Churuguara with a width of 100 km.

Evolution: Formed by the ebb and flow of water, uplifts, soil erosion, and deposition. In the Middle Eocene, a major west-southwest transgression occurred. Deltas formed in the Oligocene. By the Miocene, large parts of the region were submerged under 1500 meters of water. It then began to fill, reducing depth, and underwent folding and uplift.

Economic Importance: This basin has fewer reserves, and current oil exploitation is low.

4. Barinas-Apure Basin

Location: Located in the southwest. Its boundaries are: the central interior mountains to the north; the Andes to the northwest; the El Baúl uplift to the east and northeast; and Colombia to the south. It covers the states of Barinas, Apure, Portuguesa, and southern Táchira. It has an area of 95,000 km².

Evolution: Began 100 MA with significant marine transgression and regression activity. At that time, the area of present-day Barinas and Apure was invaded by the sea. In the Cretaceous period, the waters receded. In the Middle Eocene, water invaded the region again, receiving sediment. In the Upper Eocene, water retreated. Sedimentation continued during the Miocene until oil formation.

Economic Importance: Although it has fewer resources, reserves of over 130 MB have been found.

5. Production and Trade

5.1. Exploration

The search for minerals using various geological, laboratory, and satellite techniques.

5.2. Extraction (Exploitation)

The extraction of oil from wells. This involves drilling wells, pipelines, storage areas, among others.

5.3. Refining

The process by which physical and chemical methods are used to extract petroleum products, which in turn serve as raw material for other products. Some processes include distillation, polymerization, etc. PDVSA has 6 refineries that process 1.3 MB per day.

5.4. Marketing

This is the placement of petroleum and petroleum products to buyers, who may be inside or outside the country. PDVSA sells products at PDV gas stations.

6. Other PDVSA Activities

Gas

This is used to produce natural gas liquids. Methane gas is exploited.

Orimulsion

An alternative fuel made from 70% natural bitumen and 30% water, developed by INTEVEP (a subsidiary of PDVSA). It represents a great commercial opportunity in the Orinoco Belt.

Coal

Its goal was to increase production from 6.8 million tons in 1999 to 7.8 million tons by 2006. It aimed to increase capacity from 5.3 million tons to 6.5 million tons per year at Puerto Santa Cruz, Zulia.

Chemical Sector

It is of great economic importance, and PDVSA aims to leverage it by developing business in three areas: petrochemical gas (Pequiven), industrialization of refinery streams (PROESCA), and commercial products.

Petrochemicals

Currently has a production capacity of 11.5 million tons per year. Investment between 2001-2006 was about $4.7 billion, 78% from the private sector.

7. Causes for Changes in Oil Prices

Price Increases:

• Wars in producing areas.
• Depletion of reserves.
• Adjustment of OPEC quotas.
• Weather stations (likely refers to weather impacting production/logistics).

Price Decreases:

• Legal restrictions.
• Violation of OPEC quotas.
• Growing supply in the market.

8. Foreign Exchange Earnings

Venezuela is known as a mono-producer country that bases most of its income on oil sales. For 2002, the state oil average was estimated at $16.09 per barrel. Due to an increase, PDVSA submitted a revised estimate of $20.00 per barrel.

However, the president of PDVSA, Ali Rodriguez, suggested the possibility that by year-end it could reach $21.4 per barrel. Although income in Bolivars might seem higher, it decreases when converted to US dollars.

Mineral Resources (English Version)

1. Bauxite

It is the raw material for aluminum production. Used in construction, packaging, etc. Located in Bolivar state.

2. Coal

Used as fuel and as raw material to produce coal briquettes. Located in Guasare (Zulia) and Tachira.

3. Diamond

Used for manufacturing tools or protecting surfaces, and for cutting very hard materials. Located in the Caroni River and the Roraima formation.

4. Gold

Used in jewelry, dentistry, the electrical industry, etc. Located in Bolivar state, in Callao.

5. Salt

Used for food preservation; enables the production of glass, soap, plastic. Located in Zulia, Falcon, and Sucre.

6. Iron

It is the raw material for steel and is located in Bolivar state.

Industries (English Version)

1. Definition

These are all activities implicit in the transformation, development, and manufacturing of products from the primary sector.

2. Location Factors

• Raw Material: At the beginning of the product transformation process.
• Labor: Skilled personnel are necessary for the process.
• Power: Essential for carrying out the process.
• Communication Pathways: Necessary for transporting products.
• Market: Where trade occurs.

3. Classification

3.1. By Number of Employees

• Large Industry: 101 or more employees.
• Upper Middle Industry: From 51 to 100 employees.
• Lower Middle Industry: From 21 to 50 employees.
• Small Industry: From 5 to 20 employees.

3.2. By Type of Product

• Traditional Products: Food, beverages, clothing, furniture, and wooden items. This is the largest sector in the country.
• Intermediate/Basic Products: Responsible for providing supplies to other industries for their products. Includes printing, paper industry, chemicals, and petroleum products. Second largest in the country.
• Mechanical Engineering: Includes the manufacturing of machinery and electronic equipment.
• Miscellaneous (Crafts, Jewelry, Toys): Includes crafts, jewelry, toys.

4. Location of Venezuelan Industry

Industries in Venezuela are located in the Capital Region, Central Region, and especially in Ciudad Guayana.

Major Market Areas and Spheres of Influence

1. Definition and Characteristics

It is a mechanism through which buyers and sellers interact to set prices and exchange goods and services. The features are:

• It is dynamic.
• May increase.
• May decrease.
• Can be maintained.
• Influences the price.

2. Spheres of Influence

These are places where trade is important to the economy. For example, in Caracas, when a product harvested from another region is consumed, the demand for those crops grows.

3. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

It is the term given to the total market value of goods and services a country produces in a year.

4. Forms of Trade

4.1. Domestic Trade

It is done within the borders of a country, according to its own legal framework.

4.2. Foreign Trade

It takes place between two or more countries. In this case, import and export come into play.

4.2.1. Export

Goods or services produced in one country and sold to another.

4.2.2. Import

Goods and services that enter a country from abroad.

5. Balance of Trade

The balance of payments related to the import or export of goods. The balance is positive when exports are greater than imports, and negative when imports are greater than exports.

6. International Reserves

All countries have some form of gold reserves, money from other countries, and so on. International reserves function as "international money" that can be used when a country has difficulties with its balance of payments.

7. Consequences of Trade

• More Business Opportunities: Expansion of business horizons.
• Sovereignty of Nations: When importing a product, domestic entrepreneurs may be threatened, and their views may cause resentment towards the government.
• Exchange Rates: Currencies are recognized in most countries, such as the dollar and euro. To make sales, the financial system should ensure a continuous flow of foreign exchange.