Venezuela was one of the three countries that
emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia
in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Ecuador). For most of the first
half of the 20th century, Venezuela was ruled by generally benevolent
military strongmen, who promoted the oil industry and allowed for some
social reforms. Democratically elected governments have held sway since
1959. Current concerns include: drug-related conflicts along the Colombian
border, increasing internal drug consumption, overdependence on the
petroleum industry with its price fluctuations, and irresponsible mining
operations which are endangering the rain forest and indigenous peoples.
When the first explorers arrived, they saw houses over the Sinamaica
lagoon (Zulia State), close to Maracaibo; those houses reminded them of
the city of Venice. They called the region "Little
Venice", which in Spanish would be Venezuela.
Venezuela is the most accessible of the South
American countries. With cheap flights from both Europe and the USA and an
excellent road network, the incredible diversity of the Venezuelan
landscape is well within the reach of most travelers. Close to 90 percent
of the population lives in the northern part of the country, while the
rest of the land features great tracts of wilderness and maintains to
explore; there is something for everyone.Venezuela has a diverse
geography: beaches, plains, and mountains. The weather also varies very
much from one place to another.
Venezuela has
wonderful beaches (playas), especially at
the east (Playa Colorada), in the islands (Margarita, Coche) and in the
central-west region (Morrocoy, Cata, and Choroní).In the Caribbean, north
of Caracas, is located the Archipelago of Los Roques with its white sand
beaches and its crystalline waters.
One of the interesting regions in Venezuela
is the Gran Sabana. Located in the
southeast - Bolivar State - this region has flat top mountains called
"Tepuy". "Angel" Falls (3000 ft), the highest cataracts in the world, are
located here.Bolivar Peak is the highest point in Venezuela (5002 meters).
A cable car can take you, in one hour, from the city of Merida to the
"Pico Espejo".
Venezuela has also deserts and dunes. One
of the most interesting trips you can make is to the Coro Dunes (Medanos
de Coro). Next to the highway from Coro to Punto Fijo you can slide from
the top of these sand hills.
Venezuela's cities are full of life.
Caracas, the capital, with more than 4
million inhabitants, is the political and economic center of the country.
In the west are located Maracaibo (the oil capital), Barquisimeto (the
city of the sunsets), Mérida (tourist and student centers), San Cristobal,
Valencia, and Maracay. In the east: Maturín (challenging Maracaibo´s oil
leadership), Puerto La Cruz (tourist center). To the South are located
Ciudad Bolívar and Ciudad Guayana (steel center).
Venezuela has a rich and varied fauna. Its
tropical birds (Toucans, flamingos,
guacamayas); mammalians, reptiles (crocodiles or snakes), and fishes
(attention snorkeling lovers) delight nature lovers.Venezuela is a country
with many natural resources. In addition to oil, the major resource in
Venezuela, there is gold, bauxite, iron, coal, hydroelectric resources,
and others.
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