Venezuelan American
Encyclopedia
Venezuelan Americans are citizens and residents of the United States who trace their heritage to the South American nation of Venezuela
.
Venezuelan Americans are one of 20 Hispanic or Latino
groups in the U.S. While other U.S. citizens or residents with national origins in any of the Hispanic America
n countries may be closely related to Spaniards
in language
and culture
, Venezuelan Americans also reflect their diversified culture, which includes influences from Italians, Portuguese
, Germans
, and the French
, along with influences from African and indigenous Amerindian
elements. Venezuelan Spanish
is the group's spoken form of the Spanish language.
The largest concentration of Venezuelans in the United States is in South Florida, especially the suburb
s of Doral
and Weston
. In recent years, more Venezuelans opposing the economic and political policies of president Hugo Chávez
are migrating to the U.S. (mostly to Florida, but New York City and Houston are other destinations).
The Venezuelan American population is highly educated. Its members have bachelor's, graduate, and professional degrees at nearly double (48.5%) the total national percentage (27%), while only 6% of the group's adults did not complete high school, compared to 15.9% of the total national population.
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
Venezuelan Americans are one of 20 Hispanic or Latino
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
groups in the U.S. While other U.S. citizens or residents with national origins in any of the Hispanic America
Hispanic America
Hispanic America or Spanish America is the region comprising the American countries inhabited by Spanish-speaking populations.These countries have significant commonalities with each other and with Spain, whose colonies they formerly were...
n countries may be closely related to Spaniards
Spanish people
The Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
in language
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
and culture
Culture of Spain
The culture of Spain is based on a variety of influences.The Visigothic Kingdom left a sense of a united Christian Hispania that was going to be welded in the Reconquista. Muslim influences were strong during the period of 711 AD to the 15th century, especially linguistically...
, Venezuelan Americans also reflect their diversified culture, which includes influences from Italians, Portuguese
Portuguese people
The Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
, Germans
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, and the French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, along with influences from African and indigenous Amerindian
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
elements. Venezuelan Spanish
Venezuelan Spanish
Venezuelan Spanish is a dialect of the Spanish language spoken in Venezuela.Spanish was introduced in Venezuela by the conquistadors. Most of them were from Andalusia, Galicia, Basque Country, and the Canary Islands...
is the group's spoken form of the Spanish language.
The largest concentration of Venezuelans in the United States is in South Florida, especially the suburb
Suburb
The word suburb mostly refers to a residential area, either existing as part of a city or as a separate residential community within commuting distance of a city . Some suburbs have a degree of administrative autonomy, and most have lower population density than inner city neighborhoods...
s of Doral
Doral, Florida
Doral is a city located in north-central Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. A suburb of Miami, it lies north-west of Miami International Airport. It takes its name from the famous golf and spa resort located within its municipal boundaries. The Doral Golf Resort & Spa was originally built...
and Weston
Weston, Florida
Weston is a suburb of South Florida located in Broward County, Florida, USA. Established as a city in 1996, much of the community was developed by Arvida/JMB Realty and is located near the western developmental boundary of Broward County. It is the most western city in Broward County, and its...
. In recent years, more Venezuelans opposing the economic and political policies of president Hugo Chávez
Hugo Chávez
Hugo Rafael Chávez Frías is the 56th and current President of Venezuela, having held that position since 1999. He was formerly the leader of the Fifth Republic Movement political party from its foundation in 1997 until 2007, when he became the leader of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela...
are migrating to the U.S. (mostly to Florida, but New York City and Houston are other destinations).
The Venezuelan American population is highly educated. Its members have bachelor's, graduate, and professional degrees at nearly double (48.5%) the total national percentage (27%), while only 6% of the group's adults did not complete high school, compared to 15.9% of the total national population.
By Venezuelan ancestry
Among U.S. communities in 2000 wherein one thousand or more people indicated their ancestry, those where at least 1% of people claimed Venezuelan ancestry were:- Doral, FloridaDoral, FloridaDoral is a city located in north-central Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. A suburb of Miami, it lies north-west of Miami International Airport. It takes its name from the famous golf and spa resort located within its municipal boundaries. The Doral Golf Resort & Spa was originally built...
8.22% - Weston, FloridaWeston, FloridaWeston is a suburb of South Florida located in Broward County, Florida, USA. Established as a city in 1996, much of the community was developed by Arvida/JMB Realty and is located near the western developmental boundary of Broward County. It is the most western city in Broward County, and its...
4.1% - Fountainbleau, FloridaFountainbleau, FloridaFountainbleau is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 59,764 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Fountainbleau is located at ....
3.14% - The Hammocks, FloridaThe Hammocks, FloridaThe Hammocks is an unincorporated census-designated place Miami suburb in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 51,003 at the 2010 census.-Name:The name of the CDP originates from a planned community called The Hammocks...
3.14% - Key Biscayne, FloridaKey Biscayne, FloridaKey Biscayne is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States on the island of Key Biscayne. The population was 10,507 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 10,324....
2.36% - North Bay Village, FloridaNorth Bay Village, FloridaNorth Bay Village is a city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,733. As of 2010, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau was 7,137.North Bay Village is located at ....
2.15% - Sunny Isles Beach, FloridaSunny Isles Beach, FloridaSunny Isles Beach is a city located on a barrier island in northeast Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The City is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Intracoastal Waterway on the west...
1.96% - Miami Beach, FloridaMiami Beach, FloridaMiami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which separates the Beach from Miami city proper...
1.79% - Virginia Gardens, FloridaVirginia Gardens, FloridaVirginia Gardens is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,348 at the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the village had a population of 2,294.- History :...
1.58% - Kendale Lakes, FloridaKendale Lakes, FloridaKendale Lakes is a census-designated place Miami suburb in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 56,901 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kendale Lakes is located at ....
1.54% - Kendall, FloridaKendall, FloridaKendall is a suburban neighborhood of metropolitan Miami, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the area had a total population of 75,226....
1.47% - Surfside, FloridaSurfside, FloridaSurfside is a town in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,909 at the 2000 census. As of 2005, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 4,710.-Geography:...
1.41% - Richmond West, FloridaRichmond West, FloridaRichmond West is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 28,082 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Richmond West is located at ....
1.36% - Aventura, FloridaAventura, FloridaAventura is a planned, suburban city located in northeastern Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city name is from the Spanish word for "adventure", and was named "Aventura" after one of the developers of the original group of condominiums in the area remarked to the others, "What an adventure this is...
1.31% - Country Club, FloridaCountry Club, FloridaCountry Club is a census-designated place and an unincorporated suburban community located in northwest Miami-Dade County, Florida. The population was 36,310 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Country Club is located at ....
1.26% - Bal Harbour, FloridaBal Harbour, FloridaBal Harbour is a village in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,305 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Bal Harbour is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of...
1.21% - Coral Gables, FloridaCoral Gables, FloridaCoral Gables is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, southwest of Downtown Miami, in the United States. The city is home to the University of Miami....
1.17% - Bay Harbor Islands, FloridaBay Harbor Islands, FloridaBay Harbor Islands is a town in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,146 at the 2000 census. It is separated from the mainland by Biscayne Bay, with which it is connected via the Broad Causeway. On the mainland side, BHI is bordered by the city of North Miami, while to...
1.15% - Miami Lakes, FloridaMiami Lakes, FloridaMiami Lakes is a Miami suburban incorporated town and former census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 22,676 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S...
1.06% - Tamiami, FloridaTamiami, FloridaTamiami is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 55,271 at the 2010 census. Tamiami is a portmanteau of the words "Tampa" and "Miami". The Tamiami Trail, a roadway that connects the two cities, was the reason for this unique combination...
1.06% - Miami Springs, FloridaMiami Springs, FloridaMiami Springs is a Miami suburban city located in Miami-Dade County, Florida. The city was founded by Glenn Hammond Curtiss, "The Father of Naval Aviation", and James Bright, during the famous "land boom" of the 1920s and was originally named Country Club Estates...
1.01%
By Venezuelan birth
The top 25 U.S. communities with the most residents born in Venezuela are:- Doral, Florida 11.1%
- North Westside, FL 5.0%
- Fountainbleau, Florida 4.2%
- Weston, Florida 4.0%
- The Hammocks, Florida 3.3%
- Chambers Estates, FloridaChambers Estates, FloridaChambers Estates is a former census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 3,556 at the 2000 census...
2.8% - Kendall West, FloridaKendall West, FloridaKendall West is a census-designated place and an unincorporated Miami suburb in Miami-Dade County, Florida, west of the Florida Turnpike. The population was 38,034 at the 2000 census...
2.8% - The Crossings, FloridaThe Crossings, FloridaThe Crossings is a census-designated place Miami suburb in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 22,758 at the 2010 census.-Geography:The Crossings is located at ....
2.7% - Three Lakes, FloridaThree Lakes, FloridaThree Lakes is a census-designated place Miami suburb in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,955 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Three Lakes is located at ....
2.7% - Key Biscayne, Florida 2.6%
- Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 2.4%
- Kendale Lakes-Lindgren Acres, FL 2.2%
- Virginia Gardens, Florida 2.1%
- Richmond West, Florida 2.0%
- Golden Beach, FloridaGolden Beach, FloridaGolden Beach is a town located in the northeast corner of Miami-Dade County, Florida, between the Intracoastal Waterway and Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 919. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 921.-Geography:Golden Beach is...
2.0% - Broadview-Pompano Park, FloridaBroadview-Pompano Park, FloridaBroadview-Pompano Park is a neighborhood and former census-designated place in North Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 5,314 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
2.0% - Ramblewood East, FloridaRamblewood East, FloridaRamblewood East is a former census-designated place in Broward County, Florida, United States. The population was 1,395 at the 2000 census...
2.0% - Kendale Lakes, Florida 1.9%
- Kendall, Florida 1.9%
- St. Regis Park, KentuckySt. Regis Park, KentuckySt. Regis Park, first incorporated in 1953, is a Fourth Class City in eastern Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 1,520 at the 2000 census.-Geography:St...
1.9% - Coldstream. Kentucky 1.9%
- Country Walk, FloridaCountry Walk, FloridaCountry Walk is a census-designated place Miami suburb in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 15,997 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Country Walk is located at ....
1.8% - Celebration, FloridaCelebration, FloridaCelebration is a census-designated place and a master-planned community in Osceola County, Florida, United States, located near Walt Disney World Resort and originally developed by The Walt Disney Company...
1.8% - Meadow Woods, FloridaMeadow Woods, FloridaMeadow Woods is a census-designated place and an unincorporated area located in southern Orange County, Florida between Orlando International Airport and Kissimmee. The population was 11,286 at the 2000 census...
1.8% - Country Club, Florida 1.7%
Notable Venezuelan Americans
- Fred ArmisenFred ArmisenFred Armisen is an American actor, comedian and musician best known for his work as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, and portraying off-color foreigners in various comedy films such as EuroTrip, Anchorman and Cop Out...
, actor, comedian, musician - Elizabeth AvellanElizabeth Avellan- Life and career :Avellán was born in Caracas, Venezuela. Her grandfather, Gonzalo Veloz Mancera, created the first privately-owned Venezuelan television station, Televisa...
, film producer - Devendra BanhartDevendra BanhartDevendra Obi Banhart is a singer-songwriter and visual artist. Banhart was born in Houston, Texas and was raised by his mother in Venezuela, until he moved to California as a teenager. He began to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in 1998, but dropped out to perform music in Europe, San...
, singer-songwriter - Mariah CareyMariah CareyMariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, singer - Majandra DelfinoMajandra DelfinoMajandra Delfino is an Alma Award-nominated Venezuelan-American actress and singer best known for her role as Maria DeLuca on the television series Roswell and Georgia's best friend, Jo Pye on the State of Georgia.-Personal life:Delfino was born in Caracas, Venezuela, the daughter of an...
, actress - Marieh DelfinoMarieh DelfinoMarieh Delfino is an American actress.Delfino was born in Caracas, Venezuela to an entrepreneur father, and immigrated to the United States in 1984. Her sister is Majandra Delfino...
, actress - Gustavo DudamelGustavo DudamelGustavo Adolfo Dudamel Ramírez is a Venezuelan conductor and violinist. He is currently the principal conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony in Gothenburg, Sweden, and music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Los Angeles, California...
, Director of the Los Angeles PhilharmonicLos Angeles PhilharmonicThe Los Angeles Philharmonic is an American orchestra based in Los Angeles, California, United States. It has a regular season of concerts from October through June at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, and a summer season at the Hollywood Bowl from July through September... - Ozzie GuillénOzzie GuillénOswaldo José "Ozzie" Guillén Barrios is a Venezuelan-American former Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Miami Marlins. He managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2011 before asking for his release at the end of the 2011 season....
, manager of the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, former shortstop in Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League... - Carolina HerreraCarolina Herrera (fashion designer)Carolina Herrera Carolina Herrera Carolina Herrera (born María Carolina Josefina Pacanins y Niño (born January 8, 1939) is a Venezuelan and naturalized American fashion designer and entrepreneur who founded her eponymous company in 1980.-Early life:...
, fashion designer - Gabriela MonteroGabriela MonteroGabriela Montero is a Venezuelan-American pianist.Born in Caracas, Venezuela, of an American-born mother and a Venezuelan father, Gabriela Montero was barely a seven-month-old infant when her parents, at the insistence of her maternal grandmother, placed a toy piano in her playpen. It had been...
, pianist - Edgar RamirezEdgar RamirezÉdgar Filiberto Ramírez Arellano is a Venezuelan actor. He played Carlos in the 2010 French-German biopic series Carlos, a role for which he won the César Award for Most Promising Actor at the César Awards 2011. He also played "Paz", a CIA assassin in the movie The Bourne Ultimatum.Ramírez...
, actor - Tina RamirezTina RamirezTina Ramirez is an American dancer and choreographer, best known as the Founder and Artistic Director of Ballet Hispanico, the leading Hispanic dance company in the United States.-Biography:...
, dancer and choreographer - Génesis RodríguezGénesis RodríguezGénesis Rodríguez Pérez is an American actress of soap operas. She is best known for her roles in the Telemundo TV series Prisionera, Dame Chocolate and Doña Bárbara. She also played Becky Ferrer on Days of our Lives.- Biography :Génesis Rodríguez Pérez was born in July 29, 1987 in Miami, Florida...
, actress - Jason SilvaJason SilvaJason Silva is a Venezuelan-American television personality, filmmaker, gonzo journalist and founding producer/host for Current TV, the Emmy winning youth-oriented lifestyle cable network started by former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, now the fastest growing network in TV history...
, producer - Sonya SmithSonya SmithSonya Eleonora Smith Jacquet is an Venezuelan actress best known for her roles in telenovelas.-Biography:A blond and blue-eyed Hispanic born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she is the daughter of Venezuelan actress Ileana Jacquet and Federico Albertini Smith, who is part-Colombian and part-American...
, actress - Wilmer ValderramaWilmer ValderramaWilmer Eduardo Valderrama is an American actor and television personality, known for the role of Fez in the sitcom That '70s Show, hosting the MTV series Yo Momma, and voicing the character of Manny in the children's show Handy Manny.-Early life:Valderrama was born in Miami, Florida the son of...
, actor - Patricia VelásquezPatricia VelásquezPatricia Carola Velásquez Semprún is a Venezuelan actress and fashion model. She is often considered to be the first Latin supermodel.-Early life:...
, actress - Omar VizquelOmar VizquelOmar Enrique Vizquel González , nicknamed "Little O", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. Vizquel has played for the Seattle Mariners , the Cleveland Indians , the San Francisco Giants , the Texas Rangers and the Chicago White Sox...
, shortstop in MLB Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, 11 times Golden Glove - Luis José SantanderLuis José SantanderLuis Jose Santander born April 8, 1965 is a Venezuelan actor. Santander was born in the United States and raised in Venezuela.Santander was not an instant sensation, as he had to work hard to become famous. He labored as an actor in small plays around Venezuela when his chance to become famous...
, actor