Miss Venezuela crowned Miss Universe 2008

Miss Venezuela Dayana Mendoza was named Miss Universe 2008 on Monday, July 14.

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

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 Dominican Republic Marianne Cruz (23) and the third, Miss Russia Vera Krasova (20).

Fifteen semi-finalists, selected from 80 candidates who came to this year's pageant, competed for the crown in a grand show, which was telecast live to 170 countries and regions.

The semi-finalists took to the stage in lime green, yellow and orange bikinis. These were narrowed down to 10, who competed in the evening gown round.

The final five contestants included Miss Russia, Miss Mexico, Miss Dominican Republic, Miss Colombia and Miss Venezuela.

Miss India Simran Kaur Mundi failed to even become one of the 15 semi-finalists. For the eighth consecutive year, Indian beauty queens have failed to win a crown at the pageant.

Lara Dutta was the last to win the Miss Universe title for India in 2000.