We will tell you interesting facts about Venezuela in this article.
The rank the brightest pearl of Caribbean countries can be given to Venezuela safely!
Features
The nature of this country as though has specially tried to please the most exacting and choosy customer! There is literally everything: purity and transparency of the sea, violent vegetation of the jungle, cozy, pleasant, beaches, cold inaccessibility of snow-covered mountain tops of the Andes, beauty of unique unique falls, among which and the highest in the world Angel Falls 979 meters high.
General information
The state of Venezuela is located in South America, is washed by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, has the general borders with Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. Venezuela occupies the territory of 916 thousand sq.km. Population makes 28 million people. Official language – Spanish. Monetary unit – the Venezuelan bolivar (VEF). 100 VEF = $10.03. The time zone of UTC-4:30, local time lags behind from Moscow for 7,5 hours. Mains voltage is 120 V with a frequency of 60 Hz, types of A, B sockets. Telephone code of the country +58. .ve Internet domain.
Short digression to history
Venezuela was one of three countries which have arisen after disintegration of Great Colombia in 1830. Throughout the most part of the first half of the 20th century, Venezuela was under the power of military power which promoted development of oil industry, but in 1958 democratization process has been realized. From 1998 to 2013 the country was operated by the president Hugo Chávez.
Climate
In the territory of Venezuela the subequatorial climate prevails, temperature condition during the whole year changes poorly, no more, than by 2-3 degrees since Venezuela is located slightly to the north of the equator. Only in mountain areas of fluctuation of temperature quite essential, winter +7, in the summer to +23 degrees. Average annual temperatures: +19 in Caracas, +28 in Maracaibo. The best time for visit of Venezuela the period from November to May is considered, and it is better to visit Angel Falls on the contrary in the period of rains, he is most picturesque, also during a dry season it will be possible to approach him only by helicopter.
Transport
In Venezuela the network of bus traffic is well developed. In all large cities there are bus stations, and buses go accurately according to the schedule. In remote areas outdated buses go, and the schedule often changes. The railroad is developed very poorly. Ferries go between the city of Puerto la Cruz and the island Margarita, the crossing takes about 3-5 hours. In all large cities there is a network of public passenger transport, it is possible to use buses, share taxis or usual taxi.
Most interesting
In the capital of the country – Caracas, apparently, soars Simon Bolivar’s spirit, the hero who headed fight for independence of the country. Here, on the so-called “Area of the museums”, you will be able to visit the museum not only this national favourite, but three more museums – colonial art, transport and the modern art. The best-known church of the capital – Iglesiya – San Francisco is also open for pilgrims: in her Bolívar was declared “liberator” – in 1813!
Those who want to luxuriate on comfortable beaches will be pleased by the sea resort of the island with the romantic name Margarita – here you are expected by hundreds of luxurious hotels, cozy small restaurants with spiny lobsters, fresh juice and pride of locals – daiquiri cocktail.
You like to conquer mountains? You perfectly will suit rest in the city of Merida which is near the highest mountain peak of Venezuela – Pico Bolivar where hundreds of tourists from around the world are flown down. Here it is possible is quite civilized to drive on the longest ropeway in the world (the whole 12,6 km!), and it is possible – and most to wander on the mountains with local conductors which willingly will divide with you your thirst for adventures.
Fans of a unification with the nature will be pleased by a travel on a canoe where it is possible to see with own eyes the real rizoforovy woods – huge trees whose tables are bound by lianas so powerfully that they are forced to fight for a sunlight. Indian guides with pleasure will acquaint you with countrymen, will tell you about life and customs of local tribes, will give to drink coconut milk – precisely will be what to tell friends! All these opportunities expect you in the delta of the picturesque river Orinoco on which both Columbus, and the conquistador Diego Ordas, and the German scientist A. Humboldt swam.
The area Park-Sentral – paradise for fans of souvenirs, exotic and for those who like to bargain. At these street sellers you will find everything that will be wished by soul: from local officinal herbs – before records of National symphonic orchestra of Caracas. You surely recognize location of this area by a unique general architecture of the art museum Beyas-Artes – to double “glass” which is visible from any point of the city.
Near the capital there is one more pearl of Venezuela – National park Avila (El Avila), park of surprising purity where the hand of the person, appear, didn’t touch the primitive nature. Walk on him will give huge pleasure to those who have got used to look at the world through the camera, only vegetation of the park contains more than two thousand types here. From here – the pedestrian walking course it is possible to go down to beaches of the Caribbean coast (they are in only 15 km to the north!): here you are expected by concentration of beaches and resort pleasures on all tastes.
If soul asks a privacy – safely go to the reserve on the archipelago Los Roques, it to 80 miles to the north of the capital. It is necessary to reach most there – on a catamaran, but in an award have an opportunity to sunbathe on snow-white beaches, to dive with an aqualung or to scare pelicans – in proud loneliness (or – with the loved one)!
Placement
In Caracas there is a good choice 5 * hotels though they are very expensive. In tourist places of the country it is possible to stop in the budgetary guest houses or posadas.
Cuisine
Culinary traditions of Venezuela are similar to other countries of South America, the basis of a diet is made by meat dishes, and also bean, the corn, bananas, vegetables and various spices used in various combinations. It is accepted to leave tip of 10% of the account restaurants, sometimes food institutions include these figures in the account. The ice-cream bar of Koromoto located in the city of Merida which is its sight is included in the Guinness Book of Records. Has deserved glory of cafe thanks to the widest range of ice cream in the world, with the most unusual tastes: shrimps, beer, garlic.
Shopping
Perhaps, rum will be the best souvenir brought from Venezuela, products of local masters are also popular: clay painted dolls, hammocks, openwork baskets, capes of different flowers and other products of local Indians. Surely it is worth buying and tasting local chocolate and coffee.
Precautionary measures
Venezuela has one of the highest levels of murders in the world. It is necessary to be vigilant in the large cities in places of a congestion of people, around there can be pickpockets and robbers. The majority of areas are unsafe for walks at night if there is a need to move at night – only on the car and not to show luxury goods. Despite all possible risks, quietly it is possible to travel around Venezuela, it is necessary to follow safety rules only.
We hope to you article was pleasant. Thanks for attention.
