Venezuela – a country in northern South America, bordering on Brazil, Colombia and Guyana. Washed by the waters of the Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. The capital – Caracas. The total population, according to recent data, about 28.5 million people.
Official language – Spanish, although in some areas use local dialects. Elevations in Venezuela alternate with plains and tropical regions. In the south, in the Guiana Highlands is the highest waterfall in the world – Angel.
The climate is sub-equatorial. From May to November is the rainy season, so the best time to visit – from November to May. Although it is beautiful waterfalls in the rainy season rain. The largest lake of the continent is located in Venezuela. At the same time Maracaibo – this is one of the oldest lakes in the world with rich deposits of oil.
That H. Columbus discovered Venezuela at the end of the XV century, and the Spaniards gave it its name, which means “Little Venice.” Until the first half of the XIX century, the country was a Spanish colony and then as a result of the liberation war under the command of S. Bolívar gained independence.
According to the state system, today Venezuela is a federal republic. According to the administrative-territorial division of the country’s 23 states, each with its own center. The vast majority of the population – Catholics (90%).
Currency – the Venezuelan bolivar.
Angel Falls
Angel Falls – Venezuela’s most famous landmark, the highest waterfall in the world. In free fall water Angel reaches 1054 meters. Local tribes called this waterfall “Churun-Meru” meaning “waterfall of the deepest place”.
Its present name was given in honor of the American pilot and prospector – J. Angel.. It is not difficult to guess that the word translated “Angel”.
Geographically Angel is located in the Guiana massif. He protected areas surrounding the national park. A giant boulder on top of the “Mountain of the Devil” (in the local dialect “Auyán-tepui”) divides the flow of water in two, and they are like angel wings flying down.
Locals nicknamed as the mountain of the height of diabolical and extremely thick fog around the water. The height of its fall becomes so high that, even before reaching the ground, it is sprayed to the side, creating a thick fog.
From all sides of the waterfall is surrounded by tropical forests, and special path to it is not. Therefore, those wishing to visit at Angel are brought to light aircraft or motor canoe on the river. The starting point is located in the vicinity of the park. It is a village of Canaima, where today you can buy a lot of thematic souvenirs. The reserve territory is divided into two parts: eastern and western. In the last area available for air flights from Caracas and other Venezuelan cities nearby.
Rock Roraima
Rock Roraima – a miracle of nature, located on the border of three countries: Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil. This giant tepuis (a mountain with a flat surface) on the territory of Canaima Park. Roraima – the highest plane of the Venezuelan mountains, it is also one of the oldest in the world. The total height of the object – 2810 m.
Subdue the it tried from time immemorial, but could do so only at the end of the XIX century. The Indians believed that lived on this rock giant lizards or dinosaurs.
According to eyewitnesses, it was clear that this was not so, but the flora, which is not found elsewhere in the world, on this rock grows with interest. The top of the rock is almost always shrouded in clouds, causing it looks even more picturesque.
Below it seems that the rock surface is absolutely smooth. In fact, on top of Roraima is full of stone boulders of all shapes and sizes. Another nickname, secured the Roraima is the “mother of all waters”. This name came up with the Indians for being in the vicinity of the mountain has hosted many rivers and streams. By the way on the second largest tepuis you can see the world’s highest waterfall – Angel Falls.
To date, the slopes of these mountains are thoroughly studied by climbers, but climbing on them without proper training, equipment and support is not recommended.
To visit Roraima have to do a difficult path. Tourists are brought to the park by small planes or boats on the river. The starting point of a neighboring village – Canaima.
The house-museum of Simon Bolivar
The house-museum of Simon Bolivar – is one of the best tourist sites in Venezuela; Memorial Museum in Caracas in honor of the national liberator S. Bolivar. In appearance it is a small, inconspicuous house, but the locals are highly honored and respected this museum.
Information about the true hero controversial field, however, it is known that in this house he lived in the first half of the XIX century. At the same time he was preparing for revolutionary activity.
Today, indoor stored personal items and accessories Bolivar. The house is brick built and decorated in colonial style. The museum’s collection includes the chests, household items, clothing, antiques, and other valuable artifacts.
In the courtyard you can see the baptismal font. It was christened “Libertador” (as the locals call their liberator). The museum regularly hosts tours. It is open daily from 9 am. Nearest metro station – El Silencio.
Nearby are two other memorials – area of S. de Bolivar and Museum “Bolivariana”, which stores the artifacts associated with the revolution of the beginning of XIX century.
Canaima Park
Canaima Park – the most famous nature reserve in Venezuela, located in the south-eastern state of Bolivar. Here, near the border with Brazil and Guyana. Park made famous by several attractions. It is, first of all, the local “tepuis” – unusual flat-topped cliffs, as well as world-renowned Angel Falls and the rock of Roraima.
The official date of the reserve base is considered to be 1962, although the nation “Pemon” lived in these areas long before that. Due to the relatively remote, you can get to the park by plane from Caracas. Or a canoe from the areas of the Orinoco delta. The latter method is through the tropical undergrowth.
The highest peaks of the park – it’s Roraima and Auyán-tepui. Although if you want you can explore the rest of the tepuis. They are all interesting in their own way. They are sometimes called “mesas” because they are not the top of peaked like ordinary hills and flat like a table. Another name came up with the locals for them – a “heaven of the island.” The highest of them shrouded in clouds and look like islands in the sky.
Another attraction of the park, due to which the main influx of tourists, is Angel Falls. Its total height is about 1 km. It’s hard to believe, but true. Water often scatters around, still not reaching the ground. Mist from splashing Angel seen from afar.
This waterfall is associated with the legendary pilot J.. Angel, who accidentally discovered it in 1933. Airplane Angel broke around Auyán-tepui, and he had to walk a long way to overcome from the top down, and then to the nearby settlement. Adventure took 11 days and attracted media attention. After this incident, and the waterfall was named after a pilot-hero.
Botanists say that each of the tepuis in Canaima park has its unique flora. Here you can meet bright birds, monkeys, capuchins. The beauty of the landscapes complement the caves, rivers and waterfalls.
