Venezuela
Pronunciation: /ˌvɛnɪˈzweɪlə, beneˈswela, -θwela/
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Definition of Venezuela
Colonized by the Spanish in the 16th century, Venezuela won its independence in 1821 after a ten-year struggle, but did not finally emerge as a separate nation until its secession from federation with Colombia (1830). It is a major oil-exporting country, with the industry based on the area around Lake Maracaibo in the north-west
Origin:
Spanish, literally 'little Venice', named by early explorers when they saw native houses built on stilts over water