Venezuela, Country in northern South America
Description
Venezuela is a South American country on the northern coast of the continent, extending from the Caribbean Sea to the Amazon lowlands. The territory includes the Andes mountain range, the Llanos plains, tropical rainforests, and several large rivers that flow into the Atlantic and the Caribbean.
History
The territory declared independence from Spain in 1811 under Simón Bolívar and became one of the first South American republics. The discovery of large oil reserves in the 20th century transformed the economy and shaped political developments.
Culture
The name comes from Italian explorers who compared the stilt houses on Lake Maracaibo to Venice. In the streets and markets, people prepare arepas, gather for salsa and joropo dancing, and celebrate local patron saint festivals with drums and traditional food that reflect African, indigenous, and European roots.
Practical
Simón Bolívar International Airport near Caracas serves as the main arrival point, while regional airports in Maracaibo and Valencia offer additional connections. The US dollar is widely used in daily transactions alongside the official currency.
Did you know?
The Catatumbo lightning at Lake Maracaibo produces continuous electrical discharges for several hours on up to 280 nights each year. This natural light show occurs when warm winds from the lake collide with cool mountain air from the Andes.
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Venezuela contains places away from standard tourist routes. The Andes hold waterfalls and colonial towns with long histories. The coast features remote beaches and islands with clear waters. Inland areas have caves, rock carvings, and nature reserves. The country experiences rare natural events,...
Venezuela offers a range of landscapes for photographers. The country features impressive waterfalls, sand dunes, coral reefs, and dramatic mountain formations. Angel Falls drops 979 meters between steep table mountains and ranks among the world's highest waterfalls. Along the coast, turquoise...
Angel Falls
455.2 km
Lake Maracaibo
632 km
Mount Roraima
670.9 km
Canaima National Park
410.1 km
Guri Dam
345.3 km
Médanos de Coro National Park
565 km
Monumento a la Virgen de la Paz
501.7 km
El Avila National park
293.8 km
Pico da Neblina
801.8 km
Pico Bolívar
547.2 km
Morrocoy National Park
398.8 km
La cabeza de Franco
293.1 km
Mérida cable car
548.7 km
El Guacharo National Park
370.6 km
Henri Pittier National Park
312.3 km
Confinanzas Financial Center
291.8 km
Birthplace of Simón Bolívar
291.3 km
Miraflores Palace
292.8 km
Mochima National Park
325.5 km
Sierra Nevada National Park
509.4 km
Cerro María Lionza Natural Monument
387.6 km
El Helicoide
290.5 km
Hotel Humboldt
294.9 km
University City of Caracas
290 km
Paseo Los Próceres
287.6 km
Cubagua
377.1 km
Teresa Carreño Cultural Complex
291.1 km
Archipiélago de Los Roques National Park
436.1 km
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