Venezuela
- Amazon surface area: 51,000 km²
- Estimated deforestation per year: 2,876 km²
- Population: 27.7 million (UN, 2007)
- Forest cover: 5.56%
Venezuela is one of the most highly urbanised countries in South America. It also has some of the world's largest proven oil deposits as well as huge quantities of coal, iron ore, bauxite and gold.
President Hugo Chavez has used Venezuela's natural wealth, particularly its valuable energy exports, to extend his influence in other parts of Latin America.
The Venezuelan Amazon covering the south of the country is increasingly threatened by development. More than 35% of Venezuela is officially protected in a system of parks and reserves, but much of this area exists only on paper, and mining and logging continue.
(Sources: Conservation International, FAO, mongabay.com, Oxford University Environmental Change Institute, UN, WWF)
Hildebrando Arangu, government official in the Institute of National Parks
Venezuela's uncharted Amazon