Venezuela

I

Introduction

Venezuela, officially Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, republic in South America, bordered on the north by the Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, on the east by Guyana, on the south by Brazil, and on the south-west and west by Colombia. The region west of the Essequibo river in Guyana is claimed by Venezuela.

The coastline of Venezuela is about 2,735 km (1,700 mi) long and has numerous indentations, of which the gulfs of Venezuela and Paria are notable. The coast is generally narrow and steep, except in the west, which has expanses of low and occasionally marshy land. Of the approximately 70 islands off the coast that belong to Venezuela, Margarita is the largest and most important. The total area of Venezuela is 916,445 sq km (353,841 sq mi). The capital and largest city is Caracas.

II

Land and Resources

Venezuela has four distinct geographical regions. In the north-west and north are the Venezuelan highlands, which include the country’s highest point, Pico Bolívar (5,007 m/16,427 ft). The Maracaibo lowlands, containing Lake Maracaibo, an inland extension of the Gulf of Venezuela, are near the north-western coast. Pollution of Lake Maracaibo and other lakes is a major environmental problem. The llanos, a region of tropical grassland, are in the north-central region, and the Guiana Highlands, which reach elevations of more than 2,743 m (about 9,000 ft) above sea level, are in the south-east and south. Venezuela claims a significant territory within neighbouring Guyana.

The mountains of the Guiana Highlands extend from the delta of the Orinoco River into Brazil and Guyana, and are interspersed by open areas and forest. The chief mountain ranges are the Parima and Pakaraima, which form part of the boundary with Brazil. Angel Falls, one of the world’s highest waterfalls, is in the eastern part of the highlands.

Venezuela has six navigable rivers. Of the thousand or more streams in the country, the majority are tributaries of the Orinoco which, with the Apure, Meta, and Negro tributaries, forms the outlet into the Atlantic Ocean for the interior of Colombia, as well as Venezuela. The Orinoco extends east across central Venezuela and drains approximately four fifths of the total area of the country.

A

Climate

The climate of Venezuela is tropical on the llanos and along the coast, and temperate in the mountainous regions. The average temperatures in Caracas and Maracaibo are 18° C (64° F) and 27° C (81° F) respectively for January, and 21° C (70° F) and 29° C (84° F) respectively for July. Average annual precipitation in Caracas is 840 mm (33 in), and in Maracaibo it is 580 mm (23 in).

B

Natural Resources

Venezuela is rich in mineral resources, notably oil, natural gas, bauxite, gold, iron ore, copper, zinc, lead, and diamonds. Forests, too, are an important resource, covering about 39 per cent of the land.