Venezuela is the most highly urbanized society in Latin America, with most of its population living in cities, mainly in the north of the country. Venezuela has traditionally been seen as Latin America's "melting pot," with large-scale immigration from Italy, Portugal, Spain and all over Latin America. There is little of the white Hispanic aristocracy that survives in Colombia and Ecuador. The small number of native Indians, such as the Yanomami, live in remote and inaccessible regions, and are often little touched by modern life.
Most of the black population, descended from Africans brought over to work the cacao industry in the 19th century, live along the Caribbean coast.
Oil wealth has brought comparative prosperity, but life in the "barrios" (shantytowns), which sprawl over the hillsides around Caracas, is one of extreme poverty. Discontent peaked in the food riots of 1991, which forced the government to initiate poverty programs. The oil boom accelerated change for women, who today find employment in all professions. Politics, however, remains a male preserve. Oil wealth has also brought Americanization รป boxing and baseball are among the most popular sports.
