Venezuela
Image: La Gran Sabana boasts one of the most unusual landscapes in the world, with rivers, waterfalls, gorges, impenetrable jungles, savannahs and isolated table-top mesas locally known as tepuis. The neighbouring Auyantepui comes from the highest waterfall in the world, the Angel Falls.
Venezuela is situated on the northern end of South America, sharing borders with Guyana, Brazil and Colombia.
The Australian Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, is accredited to Venezuela. The Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is situated in Canberra. Australia and Venezuela share a modest trade and investment relationship. Australia exports vehicle and machinery parts and accessories to Venezuela whilst Venezuela exports telecommunications equipment and parts.
Capital: Caracas
Population: 28.52 million (2019)
GDP: $482.4 billion USD
Did you know?
Venezuela has the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, Angel Falls, measuring 979 metres with a drop of 807 metres
Venezuela has the world’s largest amount of oil reserves with more than 300 billion barrels, making up 17.9% of the world’s total reserves
53.9% of the country are environmentally protected areas, the highest rate in the world
The 2016 Australian census showed that there are almost 6000 Australian residents of Venezuelan origin living in Australia.
Image: Above the clouds after travel on the Teleférico de Mérida, the highest cable car in the world.
RECIPE: PISCA ANDINA
A unique and refreshing soup, Pisca Andina is typically eaten for breakfast. It is usually made with a special kind of smoked Andean cheese, but any kind of hard cheese will do. It is often accompanied by arepa (flat bread), toast or crackers.
Recipe – Serves 4
Ingredients
1L of chicken broth
4 potatoes
200 g cheese
1 sprig of chives
3 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons of butter
1L full-cream milk
2 sprigs of fresh coriander
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of pepper
4 eggs
Method
1. Chop the potatoes and cheese into cubes. Finely chop the garlic, coriander and chives.
2. Pour the chicken broth into a large saucepan with the chopped potatoes and half the coriander, bring to a boil then reduce and simmer.
3. In a separate frying pan, cook the chives and garlic in butter over medium heat.
4. Once the potatoes are cooked, add the chives and garlic to the soup. Let it reduce a little.
5. Add the milk and stir until combined.
6. Crack the eggs into the soup and then turn off the heat. The eggs will continue to cook once served.
7. Ladle into four bowls and serve with cheese and fresh coriander.
(Source: Adapted from https://www.recetasgratis.net/receta-de-pisca-andina-con-huevo-15660.html)
