Swiss Venezuelan

In 1940, up to some 1,900 Swiss emigrated to Venezuela.
Notable people
*María Gabriela Isler, Miss Venezuela 2012 and Miss Universe 2013 (1/2 Swiss father; holds Swiss citizenship)
* Joaquin Ritz and Melchor Grubel, who arrived in Venezuela in 1529 and 1535, respectively. They are the first Swiss who came to South America.
* Juan Amador Courten, for his contribution to the fortification of Puerto Cabello.
* The Brothers Guinan, who begin the great hardware business in Venezuela, dedicated to the supply of equipment for utilities and works of industrial establishments - aqueducts, power plants, etc.
* Adrian von Arx, Swiss military man, adjutant general and personal friend of General José Antonio Páez.
* Von Werdt, who contributed in the years 1890-1892 for the construction of railways in Venezuela.
* Pius Schlageter, who founded the first company of lithographic art in Venezuela in the late nineteenth century.
* Oscar Messerly, who helped found the "Venezuelan Society of the Red Cross" in 1895.
* Henri Pittier, botanist, fighter for the conservation of natural resources, and whose name belongs to a major national parks of Venezuela.
* Father Guillermo Emilio Willwoll, publicist and historian. Studied the influence of Rousseau's thought about Venezuelan independence movement.
* Ernesto Wolf, lawyer and publicist, who gave their contribution to Venezuelan constitutional right.
* August Braun, for his contribution to the care and maintenance of the Botanical Garden.
* Karl Weidmann, conservationist, and who made one of the first documentaries on the Llanos, and is author of "Wildlife in Venezuela."
 
< Prev   Next >