Venezuela is a developing country with a good quality of life.
The economic boom of the country due to the enormous oil reserves.
Worldwide the country is well known for its beautiful women, serials, magnificent beaches of the islands in the Caribbean, the highest waterfall in the world – Angel and the government of the head of the state – Hugo Chavez.
In the last few years the country has a new name – the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
Best Time to Visit Venezuela
Overall climate of Venezuela is warm and pleasant throughout the year.
For a trip in this country are most suitable the winter months January, February and March, since then the weather is coolest and driest.
In Caracas the winter temperatures are perfect – about 24°C during the day.
If you have planned a vacation in Venezuela you need very thin and airy clothes, as the for the tourists from Europe and the U.S. the subequatorial heat is not easily bearable.
You need warmer clothes only if you plan to travel through the high mountains of Venezuela.
Weather
Venezuela falls into the subequatorial and equatorial climate zone, and we can say that the country has a very hot climate with heavy rainfall in the equatorial zone, which are perennial, but in the subequatorial climate zone the precipitations are seasonal.
A significant part of the country has mountainous climate, however, because it has a very high altitude.
The subequatorial climate zone covers the plains and the area around the lake of Maracaibo in the northern part of the country.
There are two seasons – a dry winter and rainy summer.
The daily temperatures in Maracaibo are about 32°C in January when is the coldest part of the year and 34°C in July, when is warmest weather.
However, despite constant temperatures, the conditions are quite different.
While from April to November fell almost daily torrential rain, the rest of the year is quite dry and more easily bearable.
Maracaibo however, benefit from the proximity of the Caribbean Sea.
Inland the influence of the Caribbean feel quite weak, because the last slopes of the Andes block the moist ocean air masses, which are the reason for the scarce rainfall in Lyanos (Venezuela‘s savannah).
Furthermore, the remoteness of the sea makes the temperatures even higher.
In the south of the Guyana mountain range the climate is equatorial.
The temperatures throughout the year are high around and over 30°C, but here, unlike of the other parts of the country there is a dry season.
Of course, here the precipitations vary in the different months, but are generally abundant throughout the year.
The most pleasant in Venezuela is the weather in the capital Caracas.
It lies on the same latitude as Maracaibo, but not to sea level but in the more than 1000 meters altitude.
Here the climatic conditions are excellent throughout the year, the temperatures range from 24°C in January to 27°C in April, May and September.
From January to May in Caracas the rainfall ranging from 20 to 40 millimeters, that is completely normal and moderate, but in the second half of the year the rainfall is much more abundant reaching 60 – 70 millimeters per month.
Nature
Venezuela is one of the most beautiful countries on the continent.
And the nature is striking and is protected by 40 national parks. The variety is immense.
Here you can find high mountains of the Andes mountain chain.
Almost half of the territory is covered by savannah with herbaceous vegetation and rare woods.
Because of flat terrain during the rainy season, there are perfect conditions for flooding in some areas, particularly around the rivers.
The extensive Lyanos plane is the epitome of the Venezuela’s savannah.
Southern most parts of the country are occupied by dense and impassable equatorial forests, forming part of the Amazon.
The mountains also occupy much of the territory of Venezuela.
Guyana mountain range is very picturesque.
Here flat mountains are interspersed with ravines and withering canyons.
Over there, into the deep canyons everything is covered with dense jungle, and standing over some of the numerous gorges you will see how the clouds move, but not in the heaven, but down under your feet.
At one of these gorges, descend the most majestic waterfall in the world – Angel Falls.
With its 979 meters it is unparalleled.
Its spooky silhouette can take your breath away.
In 1935 Jimmy Angel comes across this waterfall while looking about a river, which allegedly was very rich in gold.
He accidentally came across this wonder of the nature, which is commensurate with natural phenomena such as the Amazon river, the Nile, Mount Everest and so on.
This is one of the biggest attractions in the country and the continent.
Furthermore, Venezuela offers to the visitors not only savannahs, jungles, mountains, canyons and waterfalls, but also wonderful beaches.
One of the most beautiful beaches on the continent are notably in Venezuela.
About 123 km from the coast of Caracas is Los Rokes archipelago, which is one of the most beautiful places on the continent.
The archipelago offers coral reefs, azure ocean waters, tropical vegetation and tranquillity in the waters of the Caribbean Sea.
Not accidentally Venezuela is considered to be one of the countries in the world with the most beautiful sceneries.
Geography
Venezuela is located in the northernmost parts of mainland South America.
It is located in the northern hemisphere, between 0° and 12° north latitude, but the equator does not cross the territory of Venezuela.
It passes close to the border, but on the territory of Brazil.
Venezuela, like any other country in South America is entirely situated in the western hemisphere.
Its coordinates are between 59 and 73° west longitude.
Venezuela borders by three countries – Colombia (west and southwest), Brazil (south and southeast) and Guyana (east).
Venezuela has a wide outlet to the Caribbean in the north, where owns more than 70 small islands.
Relief
Venezuela is a country with very diverse topography.
Alternate high mountains, plateaus, canyons, plains and lowlands. In the northwest of the country are spurs of the Andes.
Exactly here lies the highest peak in Venezuela.
Called Bolivar and rises to a height of 5007 meters above sea level.
Before they disappear completely not far from the Caribbean coast, the Andes gradually become more and more narrow as well as they lose significant part of their height.
In the southeastern parts of the country is situated the Guyana mountain range, whose highest peak is the 3000 meters high Treman Tepui.
Among the mountains are formed magnificent deep canyons.
In the southernmost parts of Venezuela there are flat terrains, that are part of the Amazon Valley.
The coastline of the country is relatively indented.
Population and Settlements
Venezuela is a Spanish-speaking country with a population of 25.8 million people.
The residents of this country are a colorful mixture of local tribes (the Caribbean and Arawak), migrants from Spain and dark-skinned settlers from Africa, brought here under duress.
As a result has formed a nation known for its beautiful people.
It is believed that the girls in Venezuela are the most beautiful women in the world.
The truth is that while walking on the streets of the major cities, one sees much more beauty than anywhere elsewhere in the world.
Venezuela’s population is concentrated in the northern coastal parts of the country.
Here are the largest cities such as Caracas (5,150,000 inhabitants), Marakaybo (4.6 million inhabitants), Ciudad Guayana (900,000 inhabitants) and others.
Caracas
Particularly impressive is the agglomeration of the capital Caracas.
Although the city is located less than 12 km from the coast of the Caribbean Sea, its central parts have an altitude of more than 1000 meters.
Caracas is situated among mountains covered with dense vegetation, making it very picturesque.
City skyline in a very subtle way merge and harmonize with the wilderness of South America.
Combination of modern city and beautiful nature is the trademark of the countries of this part of the world (do not forget about Rio de Janeiro).
Caracas is the most important administrative center of the country.
From here is governed the political life of the country.
Like any big economic center, Caracas also has its skyscrapers in the central parts of the city.
Marakaybo
Marakaybo is the second largest urban agglomeration and the second most important city in Venezuela.
It has a population of 4.6 million inhabitants.
It is situated on the both sides of the shallow channel that connects Lake Maracaibo with the Caribbean Sea.
This lake is one of the symbols of the city.
It is the largest in South America.
There are important transport functions, because of its depth, which in places reaches 60 m.
This is sufficient to allow navigation of greater water vehicles.
Where the lake connects with the sea there is a bridge which is the main link between the east and west of the Latin American metropolis.
The bridge’s name is General Rafael Urdaneta.
Its length is 8700 m and the height is about 50 meters.
It is completed in the 1962th.
Around and under the lake is the largest oil field of Venezuela.
Maracaibo is a city with impressive architecture.
Its economic importance is implied from the city skyline.
In the central part of this modern metropolis rise high skyscrapers.
Valencia
With a population of 1.5 million inhabitants, Valencia is the third largest city in Venezuela.
It is located on the shore of Lake Valencia.
The town is a beautiful location – a picturesque.
Against the backdrop of tall buildings, dyed in bright colours, rise beautiful mountains, covered with dry-loving subequatorial vegetation.
One of the major attractions of the city is the Plaza del Toro, located on the southern-most parts of the city.
Here the citizens of Valencia follow an old Hispanic tradition – the bulls fighting.
This is one of the best known places of Valencia.
Religion
The main part of the Venezuelan population are Christians, Catholics.
Speaking of religion, we have to mention that the local population is more devoted to his faith in comparison with other Catholic countries such as Western Europe.
The residents of Venezuela as a whole are much stricter in the observance of the religious holidays and it should be noted that the suffering from various forms of neurosis and depression are much less than those in the developed countries of the EU and U.S.
Here, in almost every home you will find many religious symbols and it will make an impression, even if you do not know that Venezuelans are very religious people.
The small chapels and churches are numerous, but each tour includes visits to at least one church or cathedral because to feel the atmosphere of this exotic country.
History
Venezuela was discovered by the great explorer Christopher Columbus in 1498th.
In the 1567th is based the Caracas city, which today is the most important economic and cultural center and capital of Venezuela.
Originally the country was a colony of Spain, but in 1810, Simon Bolivar won its independence and since then Venezuela is a free country.
In the period 1819 – 1831 Venezuela is part of a country with very large area, called Gran Colombia.
Policy
On 6 December 1998 with the support of most of the people of Venezuela came to power Hugo Rafael Chavez Frias.
He has specific views to the private ownership and nationalization.
The opinion of the people about him is very controversial.
With some countries he is in very good relations, but other states disapprove his policy.
Inside the country, the Venezuelan people are also divided in their attitude towards him.
For the poorest strata of the society he is the man, who rescued them from the misery and the poverty by giving them land and opportunities, but on the other hand he is hated by people, who in one way or another are affected of his eccentric policies.
One of the main criticisms of his government is his propensity to taking from the rich because to give to the poor.
The redistribution of wealth is regarded as a violation of the main person’s right to holds inviolable private property.
Economy
On the territory of Venezuela was discovered oil in the early 20th century.
Because of this reason the country’s economy began to marks a rapid rise and ranks among the economic leaders of the continent.
The oil became the main export commodity and towards the country started running rivers of foreign currency. The oil extracting became the leading industry in the country.
Because of the oil, Maracaibo became a major industrial center of the country.
The city develops shipbuilding around the lake of Marakaybo.
Unlike the industry, the agriculture is relatively very weak.
The livestock-breeding predominates. The cattle-breeding is leading.
The main crops are the quite standard for Latin America crops such as coffee, bananas and sugar cane, but the production has insignificant importance for the country’s economy.
The service sector, rely mainly to the good development of tourism.
The beautiful beaches and beautiful nature are crucial for this sector.
The official currency is the Venezuelan Bolivar.