Venezuela is located on the Caribbean coast of South America. To north of Venezuela are located the islands of Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles, Trinidad, and Tobago. The western border is shared with Colombia, the eastern border with Guyana, and the southern border runs along Brazil.

History

Venezuela was once a Spanish colony. Today it is a federal republic. Throughout its history, Venezuela has had territorial disputes with Guyana (concerning the Essequibo area) and with Colombia (concerning the Gulf of Venezuela). When Christopher Columbus first saw the Venezuela landscape in 1498, he was so impressed that he called it Tierra de Gracia (Land of Grace), which has now become the nickname of Venezuela.

Present

Modern day Venezuela is known better for its petroleum industry, its environmental diversity, and its natural beauty.

The Republic of Venezuela comprises of twenty three states, a capital district, federal dependencies, and Guayana Esequiba. These are subdivided into 335 municipalities, which are in turn made up of 1084 parishes.

Geographical Features

There are many variations in the Venezuela landscape. The northeast regions feature the Andes Mountains that go all the way to the northwest and along the Caribbean coast. The highest point among these mountains is Pico Bolivar that stands at 16,341 feet.

The central regions are dominated by plains known as llanos that stretch from the river delta of Orinoco to the Colombian border. Towards the south are the Giana Highlands, home to Angel Falls (the highest waterfall in the world).

There are nine major geographical divisions in Venezuela.

1. The Andes mountain range is one of the nine geographical division.
2. Lake Maracaibo is made up of the lowlands close to the Gulf of Venezuela.
3. The Coro system is a mountain range in the north occidental region.
4. The Central Range is enclosed in the hills and the coast surrounding Caracas.
5. The Eastern Range includes Sucre State and North Monagas. The Gulf of Cariaco separates the Central and Eastern Ranges.
6. The Llanos Region covers almost 30% of the country above the Onnoco River.
7. The South Orinoco Region is located below the Llanos Region
8. The Insular Region is made up of Nueva Esparta and other Federal Dependencies
9. The Deltaic System is a triangle covering the Delta Amacuro

Climate

Venezuela's climate is tropically hot and humid. The highlands have more moderate temperatures.

Places to visit

Caracas is the capital city and also the largest in the country. Other major cities include Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Valencia, and Maracay.

There are a great number of vegetable and animal species inhabiting the diverse environments of Venezuela.

Venezuela's art, culture, and heritage have all been affected by Latin America and can be witnessed in the historic buildings, architecture, art, and landscape. The collective customs, beliefs, practices, and expression of people make up Venezuela's identity.

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