Venezuela, like most South American nations, is a predominantly Catholic nation. The influence of the Catholic Church was introduced in its colonization by Spain. According to government estimates, 92 percent of the population is at least nominally Roman Catholic, and the remaining 8 percent Protestant, a member of another religion, or atheist.[1] The Venezuelan Evangelical Council estimates that evangelical Protestants constitute 10 percent of the population.[1]
There are small but influential Muslim and Jewish communities.[1] The Muslim community of more than 100,000 is concentrated among persons of Lebanese and Syrian descent living in Nueva Esparta State, Punto Fijo and the Caracas area.[1] The Jewish community numbers approximately 13,000 and is mainly concentrated in Caracas.[1]
Venezuela is also notable for its significant syncretic religious traditions, most notably those revolving around the figures of Maria Lionza and Jose Gregorio Hernandez.
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