Venezuela has a federal republic style of government. It is under a constitution and has an elected president who serves as both head of government and head of state. The nation has a 167-seat unicameral National Assembly. There are 23 states, 11 federally controlled island groups and a government district that includes parts of Caracas.
Venezuela elects its presidents for a six-year term by popular vote, and it requires that citizens be at least 18 years of age to vote. The constitution allows re-election of the president without limits. Nicolás Maduro is the president of Venezuela, elected upon the death of longtime president Hugo Victor Chavez in March of 2013.
Members of the National Assembly serve a five-year term. Popular vote determines those who serve in the Assembly, and there are three seats reserved for the indigenous people of Venezuela.
The National Assembly elects magistrates for the Supreme Tribunal of Justice. Each magistrate serves a single, 12-year term.
Venezuela celebrates its Independence Day on July 5, as it was this day in 1811 that the country won independence from Spain. While the official language is Spanish, one finds many local dialects that the people continue to use. In addition, there are numerous political parties in this nation, and it has suffered years of political unrest.
