geographyVenezuelas

Venezuela is a country located in the northern part of South America, with a coastline along the Caribbean Sea. It borders Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, and Guyana to the east. The capital is Caracas. The country covers about 916,000 square kilometers, making it one of the larger nations on the continent.

The physical geography of Venezuela is diverse and includes several major regions. In the west lie the Andes, with peaks reaching near 5,000 meters, including Pico Bolívar. Parallel to the Caribbean coast runs the Cordillera de la Costa, a shorter coastal mountain range. The central and eastern plains, known as the Llanos, are wide tropical grasslands. To the southeast is the Guiana Highlands, a high, table-like plateau region that includes many tepuis, or flat-topped mesas. The Orinoco River, one of South America’s longest rivers, drains much of the country and empties into the Atlantic via the delta and delta-adjacent wetlands. The Lake Maracaibo basin in the northwest is a large saline lake area connected to the Gulf of Venezuela and is associated with significant oil production.

Climate is predominantly tropical but varies with elevation and location. The lowlands are hot and humid, while highlands offer cooler conditions. Rainfall patterns include wet and relatively dry seasons, with regional variations. The Catatumbo lightning phenomenon occurs over Lake Maracaibo, a notable meteorological feature.

Biodiversity and protected areas are prominent, including Canaima National Park, a UNESCO site that features the Gran Sabana and many tepuis. The Orinoco Delta and portions of the Guiana Shield add to the country’s ecological variety. Human settlements are concentrated along the coast and in the Andean valleys, shaping transportation, agriculture, and resource industries such as oil and natural gas in the Orinoco and Maracaibo basins.