Officially named the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the country of Venezuela lies on the northern side of Brazil, to the east of Colombia and directly west of Guyana. The northern border is fronted by the Caribbean Sea, with coastal destinations including Barcelona, Colonia Tovar, La Guaira, Maracaibo and Tucupita, as well as the capital city, Caracas.As South America's sixth-biggest country, Venezuela comes with a particularly diverse and interesting landscape comprising Andean mountain peaks, offshore islands, lush areas of rainforest (within the Amazon Basin) and spectacular waterfalls, such as the world's highest - the Angel Falls (Salto Angel). Venezuela is home to an abundance of indigenous wildlife, with some of its more interesting and unusual creatures living in the water, such as Amazon river dolphins, manatees, Orinoco crocodiles and piranhas.
Whilst this is a wealthy country, thanks to the discovery of oil during the early part of the 20th century, many of the residents living in Venezuela are far from affluent and the economy is constantly boosted by considerable public spending.
Tourism is gaining a foothold in many parts of the country and those headed to Venezuela have never had more to choose between. Consider cruising along the Delta del Orinoco, boat trips through the Morrocoy National Park (Parque Nacional Morrocoy), sunbathing on the glorious beaches of the Isla de Margarita, or perhaps simply admiring the unique landscape of Roraima.
You may also like to explore the Los Roques archipelago, run down the sand dunes of Coro, hike around the Pico Pan de Azucar - enjoying the views of Merida below, or maybe take a ride on the teleferico cable car between Caracas and the El Avila National Park (Parque Nacional El Avila).
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World Guide to Caracas, Venezuela
World Guide to Maracaibo, Venezuela
World Guide to Maracay, Venezuela
World Guide to Merida, Venezuela
World Guide to Valencia, Venezuela
Venezuela Information / Venezuela Fast Facts
- Country: Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (República Bolivariana de Venezuela)
- Population: 30 million
- Capital city: Caracas (population 6.1 million)
- Language: mainly Castilian Spanish, also Amerindian and indigenous dialects, such as Mapoyo, Panare, Pemon, Pémono, Puinavean, Sapé, Sikiana, Warao, Wayuu, Yabarana and Yaruro. English is becoming a more commonplace language around the country
- Main exports: agricultural products, aluminium, beef, pork and fish, cocoa, coffee, corn and rice, beverages, cement, chemicals, clothing, fertilizer, paper, petroleum and oil, rice, steel, textiles, transport equipment and tropical fruit
- Area: 352,145 square miles / 912,050 square kilometres
- Currency: Bolivar Fuerte (VEF)
- Time zone: Coordinated Universal Time, UTC - 4:30
- Country dialling code: +58
- Religion: roughly 90 percent Roman Catholic, remainder Protestant and other religions
Map of Venezuela
