Which of the following is a founding member of OPEC?

Analyze the question: You are asked to identify which country was a founding member of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries).

Explain the concept: OPEC was formed in Baghdad, Iraq, in September 1960. It had five founding members:

1. Iran
2. Iraq
3. Kuwait
4. Saudi Arabia
5. Venezuela

Other countries joined later:

• Indonesia joined in 1962 (and later suspended and left)
• Algeria joined in 1969
• Nigeria joined in 1971

Solution, option by option:

• A. Indonesia: joined in 1962, so it is not a founding member.
• B. Algeria: joined in 1969, so it is not a founding member.
• C. Venezuela: one of the five original founders in 1960, so it is a founding member.
• D. Nigeria: joined in 1971, so it is not a founding member.

Answer: The correct option is C. Venezuela.

Tip: Remember the founders with the memory aid "I-I-K-S-V" (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela). Notice that Venezuela is the only non-Middle Eastern founder, which makes it easy to spot in questions like this. Nigeria joined in 1971, a year after the civil war ended, so remember it as a "later" member.