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One of the richest nations in South America, Venezuela can never be a disappointing experience for its variety of breathtaking landscapes. The most interesting of these are the "tepuis", flat-topped mountains with vertical flanks that stand 1000m above the sprawling savannas. From one such mountain gushes the Angel Falls - the world’s highest waterfall (979m).

Venezuela has invested in good road networks and tourist infrastructure. One of the world’s leading exporters of petroleum, Venezuela ploughs back its funds into modernization. Despite embracing modernity, many of its people still lead traditional lives. Current developments have had fallouts – population migration to the cities has harmed farming. Importing food has become a necessity with the land not being used fully for food production.

Venezuelan girls….amazingly beautiful. No other country in the world has had more Miss Universe and Miss Worlds than Venezuela. Proud to be home of the beauty queens!

In for a game of Futbol? Surprisingly in Venezuela, it does not mean ‘football’ but soccer. So be sure what the Venezuelans really mean when they invite you for a game!

Legal at the age of 14? In Venezuela the legal age of marriage for girls is 14 and that for boys is 12. Most of the girls even have their babies by the time they are 16. Quick going, isn’t it?

Historically Speaking

The Spanish moved into Venezuela in the 1500s – (Columbus was the first European to land here) and what followed was years of Spanish rule. The country finally got its independence in 1821. The period after independence hasn’t been easy – the country has been riddled by despotism, anarchy, military dictatorship, civil wars, coups and financial collapses. Under the present rule of President Hugo Chavez the country is expected to go through major political changes as the existing constitution is being rewritten under his rule.

Habitat

Venezuela has an area of 916,445 sq km. The country shares its borders with Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south and Guyana to the east. It occupies the northern most part of South America as well as the 2800km long Caribbean coastline. South of the coast lies a chain of mountain ranges – these recede southward into vast plains known Los Llanos that stretch up to the Orinoco and Meta rivers. The country has 70 odd islands all along the Caribbean coast.

You can find 1380 bird species in Venezuela- look out especially for birds like the macaw, parrot, toucan, pelican, flamingo, oilbird, and the hummingbird. There are 250 mammal species and numerous species of reptiles in this country. Some common mammals are the jaguar, capybara, armadillo, anteater, ocelot, and the peccary –reptiles include the iguana and 5 species of Cayman.

You’re sure to marvel at the most unusual flora on the tops of the tepuis. Tropical forests that cover a quarter of the country’s area feature a maze of plant species that are never seen in forests of moderate climates.