Cover -- Title -- Copyright -- About the Series -- Contents -- Preface -- Acknowledgements -- Map of Venezuela -- Chapter 1 - First Impressions -- First Impressions of Venezuela -- Chapter 2 - Overview of Land and History -- From the Andes to the Caribbean -- Early Migrants -- The Conquistadors -- Early Exploration of Venezuela -- Time of the Hapsburgs -- Encomienda and Repartimiento -- The Church in Venezuela -- The Colonial Economy -- Early Agriculture -- Colonial Administration -- The Bourbons and Capitalism -- Pre-independence -- The Rise of the Creoles -- Bolívar and the Second Republic -- Gran Colombia -- Post-Independence Leaders -- Enter the Western Caudillos -- Democratic Action Interlude -- Military Junta -- A New Dictator -- Governments After 1958 -- Boom and Bust -- Chavismo and Bolivarianismo -- The Influence of Cuba -- Chapter 3 - The People -- Personality -- The National Self-image -- Glamour -- Love and More -- Families -- Humour -- Attitudes to Race -- Gender Issues -- Religiom -- Chapter 4 - Fitting in with the Venezuelans -- Birth -- First Communion -- Birthday Parties -- Quinceañera -- Gift Giving -- Weddings -- Funerals -- Being Neighbourly -- Greetings -- Names -- Small Talk -- Going Out -- Gay and Lesbian Lifestyles -- Chapter 5 - Settling In -- The Environment -- Property -- Home Help -- Pets -- Telecommunications -- Education -- Medical Services -- The Police -- Crime -- Money Matters -- Shopping -- Transport -- Driving -- Visas -- Chapter 6 - Making a Meal of It -- Arepas: Venezuela's Staple -- The National Dish: Pabellon Criollo -- Meals -- Daily Fare -- La Parilla -- Seafood -- Pasapalos -- Venezuelan Desserts -- Drinks -- Where to Eat -- Eating in the Street -- Shopping for Food -- Regional Specialities -- Seasonal Food -- What to Beware -- Chapter 7 - Enjoying the Culture -- Sports -- Music -- Television.

Newspapers -- Radio -- Cinema -- Literature -- Venezuelan Arts -- Theatre -- Ballet -- Architecture -- The Tourist Industry -- Venezuela Celebrates -- Holidays -- Festivals -- Chapter 8 - Learning the Language -- Who Speaks English? -- Learning Spanish -- Pronunciation -- Make Your Own Words -- How to Talk to Language Learners -- Venezuelan Spanish -- Venezuelan Expressions -- Regional Variations -- Simpler Spanish -- Spanglish -- Spanish You Already Know -- Friendly Tongues -- Body Language -- Chapter 9 - Working in the Country -- Business Etiquette -- International Trade -- The Venezuelan at Work -- Banking -- Setting Up a Business in Venezuela -- The Bureaucratic Machine -- Tax -- Social Security -- Workers and Labour Laws -- Chapter 10 - Fast Facts -- Famous People -- Culture Quiz -- Do's and Don'ts -- Glossary -- Resource Guide -- Further Reading -- About the Authors -- Index.