This study investigates the effects that the abundance of resources in this country has had on the urban development of the country, upon its pattern of population distribution, and upon the conscious effort of the Venezuelan government to reshape its population pattern by the planning of new urban centers and by the opening of previously undeveloped areas to settlement and industrialization. Included in this study are the following: (1) regional development policy in Venezuela; (2) urban planning in Ciudad Guayana; (3) a study of Caracas; (4) other urban centers; (5) FUNDACOMUN; (6) the international agencies in Venezuela; and, (7) resources and people. [For related documents in this series, see UD 013 731-733 and 013 735-744 for surveys of specific countries. For special studies analyzing urbanization in The Third World, see UD 013 745-UD 013 748.] (Authors/SB)