Venezuelan

/ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlən/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or originating from Venezuela, a South American country. Can also refer to a person from Venezuela or the culture of that nation.

Etymology

From Venezuela, named by Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda who called it 'Veneziola' (little Venice) because indigenous stilt houses over Lake Maracaibo reminded him of Venice. The country name evolved to Venezuela, with the adjective form following standard patterns.

Kelly Says

Venezuela sits atop some of the world's largest proven oil reserves, yet this geological blessing became an economic curse known as 'Dutch disease' - the resource wealth actually weakened other sectors of the economy and contributed to political instability. The country that once had Latin America's highest per capita income now faces one of the world's worst hyperinflation crises.

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