VENEZUELA

CURRENCY: Bolivar.

EXCHANGE RATE: Bolivar 483 = US$1.

OFFICIAL LANGUAGE: Spanish.

POPULATION: 19,246,000.

CAPITAL: Caracas.

INTERNATIONAL CODE: TELEPHONE 58.

CURRENCY CONTROLS: the Bolivar and foreign currencies are freely imported and exported.

GAMING INFORMATION: Casino gaming has been illegal in Venezuela, but operated on Margarita Island for a few years without government interference.In the summer of 1995 due to irregularities at one casino the government closed all the casinos.Later the government allowed the casinos to reopen in late September, 1995.During closure tourism on Margarita Island diminished and then resumed at full capacity after the casinos reopened.With this experience on Margarita Island the Venezuela Government appears to understand the economic impact casinos can have on tourism and economic development.In the spring of 1997 the Legislature has passed a bill authorizing casino gaming on mainland Venezuela and Margarita Island.Late 1997 or early 1998 will likely see the opening of the first legally operating mainland casinos.
MARGARITA ISLAND Pampatar / Porlamar / Juangriego ? 95.
Isla de Margarita (population 125,000) is a 40 minute air shuttle to Caribbean International Airport from Caracas or a four hour Conferry ride from Puerto La Cruz.
Pampatar and Porlamar are on Magarita's southeast coast.Porlamar is a town for shopping because of its Puerto Libre (duty free zone).Pampatar is a small colonial town with a large fort / museum San Carlos Borromeo.Juangriego is on the north coast facing west It is a place for great sunsets.

CLIMATE: Warm sunny days offer 12 months of swimming and boating Evenings are cool and breezy; the humidity is low.

HOW TO GET THERE: Margarita is served by General Santiago Marino Airport (PMV) 9.3 miles / 5.8 km from Porlamar.Ferry service between Margarita and Puerto la Cruz on mainland Venezuela.