Miss Venezuela crowned Miss Universe 2008

Nha Trang City (Vietnam), July 14 (Xinhua) Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza was named Miss Universe 2008 Monday.

Mendoza competed with 14 contestants in the final round of the 57th pageant held in this central Vietnamese city.

The 22-year interior designer said she likes designing, photography, advertising and wave surfing. She speaks Spanish, Italian and English.

Miss Universe 2007 Riyo Mori handed over the crown worth $120,000 to Mendoza, who will continue Mori's work of travelling around the world to promote education and HIV/AIDS research.

The first runner-up is Miss Colombia Taliana Vargas (20)), the second is Miss Dominica Marianne Cruz (23) and the third, Miss Russia Vera Krasova (20).

The 15 contestants, selected from 80 candidates worldwide, competed for the crown in a grand show, which was telecast live to 170 countries and regions.