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."
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