Venezuela Photos

The fauna of Venezuela

venezuelaphotos — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:54:38 +0000

The fauna of Venezuela consists of a huge variety of unique animals; some 23% of reptilian and 50% of amphibian species that inhabit the country are endemic to Venezuela. Overall, around 8,000 species (the world’s 5th highest total) are endemic to the country.

Venezuela

venezuelaphotos — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:02:36 +0000

Venezuela is divided into 23 states (estados), 1 Capital District (Distrito Capital) and the Federal Dependencies (Dependencias Federales de Ultramar) that consist of a large number of Venezuelan islands.

National symbols of Venezuela

venezuelaphotos — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 18:55:40 +0000

The national symbols of Venezuela are the flag, the coat of arms, and the national anthem.^[1] Since Venezuela’s diversity of flora and fauna is remarkable, the government also officially declared these national symbols:^[2]

The national flower is the orchid (Cattleya mossiae). This kind of orchid is also known as Flor de Mayo (May Flower). It was first discovered in the northern land in 1839 and was given the status of National Flower on 23 May 1951.

The national tree is the araguaney (Tabebuia chrysantha). Called aravanei by the caribes, it can be found mostly in regions with temperate weather. It can reach a height between 6 and 12 m. The araguaney flourishes within the period following a rainy season, mostly in the first months of the year. Rómulo Gallegos referred to these months as “La primavera de oro de los araguaneyes” (the golden spring of the araguaneyes). Declared National Tree on 29 May 1945.

The national bird is the turpial (Icterus icterus). Fully coloured with yellow-orange tones except in the head and the wings, which are black with a few tones in white; also has a blue spot surrounding the eyes. It can be found in woods, the llanos, at the shores of jungles, and in northern and southern Orinoco. The turpial is fairly appreciated due to its singing and was declared the National Bird on 23 May 1958.

Mobility

venezuelaphotos — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:39:16 +0000

Domestic flights are very cheap and best spot to book. This is especially true in larger cities. Anyone who intends to or from a small airport for example, in the Gran Sabanna to fly, it may find that this lack of language skills through expensive than out. The pilot of the aircraft knows very well that they do not order him around, and it could exploit.

A special highlight is the airport of Merida – the runway is located on an inclined plane and can only be served by turboprops. Also recommended is a flight from Ciudad Bolivar after Kavak (Gran Sabana). Kavak is only with small Cessnas all ages served – good to combine with a flight over the Angel Falls (the highest waterfall in the world).

Bus tours are a cheaper alternative to flying. Bus stations are located in all major cities. In small and micro cities must be how women are durchfragen. Not all bus stops will also be used to return. Wherever you off, will not ever again entered. Demands helps here. Signs are simply flawed.

Rental car are all small – medium-sized cities are available, prices go from U.S. $ 30 to several hundred (09-07-2006). Even taxi ride is cheap, taxi lines indicate a higher degree of security. Prices should always be negotiated in advance.

Foreign relations

venezuelaphotos — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:52:27 +0000

Throughout most of the 20th century, Venezuela maintained friendly relations with most Latin American and Western nations. Relations between Venezuela and the United States worsened in 2002, after the 2002 Venezuelan coup d’état attempt during which the U.S. government recognized the short-lived unconstitutional regime of Pedro Carmona. Correspondingly, ties to various leftist-led Latin American and Middle Eastern countries not allied to the U.S. have strengthened. Venezuela seeks alternative hemispheric integration via such proposals as the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas trade proposal and the newly launched pan-Latin American television network teleSUR. Venezuela was a proponent of OAS’s decision to adopt its Anti-Corruption Convention, and is actively working in the Mercosur trade bloc to push increased trade and energy integration. Globally, it seeks a “multi-polar” world based on strengthened ties among Third World countries.

Etymology

venezuelaphotos — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 14:02:16 +0000

The name “Venezuela” is believed to have originated from the cartographer Amerigo Vespucci who, along with Alonso de Ojeda, led a 1499 naval expedition along the northwestern coast’s Gulf of Venezuela. On reaching the Guajira Peninsula, the crew observed villages (palafitos) that the people had built over the water. This reminded Vespucci of the city of Venice (Italian: Venezia), so he named the region “Venezuola“,meaning “little Venice” in Italian. In Spanish, the suffix -zuela is used as a diminutive term (e.g., plaza / plazuela, cazo / cazuela); thus, the term’s original sense would have been that of a “little Venice“.

Martín Fernández de Enciso, a member of the Vespucci and Ojeda’s crew, states in his work Summa de Geografía that the indigenous population they found were called “Veneciuela“, suggesting that the name “Venezuela” may have evolved from a native word.The Vespucci story, however, remains the most popular and accepted version of the origin of the country’s name. In English, the word Venezuela is pronounced as IPA: /ˌvɛnɨzˈweɪlə/. The Venezuelan Spanish is IPA: [beneˈswela].

When to Go

venezuelaphotos — Sun, 18 May 2008 13:08:02 +0000

The tourist season in Venezuela runs year-round, but consider the climate and Venezuelan holidays before finalizing your travel plans. Venezuela has a dry season (late November to early May) and a wet season (the rest of the year). The dry season is certainly more pleasant for traveling, particularly for hiking or other outdoor activities, though sightseeing in cities or towns won’t be greatly disturbed by rain. Some sights, such as waterfalls, are actually more impressive in the wet season. Angel Falls is absolutely spectacular after heavy rains in the wet months, but may be little more than a thin ribbon of water in the dry season. Furthermore, the falls can be inaccessible by boat in dry months.

Venezuelans are mad about traveling to visit friends, family and the beach over Christmas (through till mid-January), Carnaval (several days prior to Ash Wednesday) and Semana Santa (Holy Week; the week before Easter Sunday). These periods are colorful and alive with a host of festivities, but you may need to plan ahead for accommodation and transport.

Caracas

venezuelaphotos — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:48:12 +0000

Caracas is the capital and largest city of Venezuela. It is located in the north of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range (Cordillera de la Costa). The valley’s temperatures are springlike. Terrain suitable for building on lies between 760 and 910 m (2,500 and 3,000 ft) above sea level. The valley is close to the Caribbean Sea, separated from the coast by a steep 2200 m (7400 ft) high mountain range, Cerro Ávila; to the south there are more hills and mountains.

El Distrito Metropolitano de Caracas (The Metropolitan District of Caracas) includes the Distrito Capital (the capital city proper) and four other municipalities in Miranda State including Chacao, Baruta, Sucre, and El Hatillo. The city of Caracas had an estimated population of 3,140,076 as of 2005. The population of Greater Caracas, including neighboring cities outside the Capital District proper, is approximately 4.7 million

Venezuela

venezuelaphotos — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:47:34 +0000

Venezuela , officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: República Bolivariana de Venezuela), is a country on the northern coast of South America.

The country comprises a continental mainland and numerous islands located off the Venezuelan coastline in the Caribbean Sea. Currently, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela possesses borders with Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Leeward Antilles lie just north, off the Venezuelan coast. Falling within the tropics, Venezuela sits close to the equator, in the Northern Hemisphere.

A former Spanish colony, which has been an independent republic since 1821, Venezuela holds territorial disputes with Guyana, largely concerning the Essequibo area, and with Colombia concerning the Gulf of Venezuela. In 1895, after the dispute over the Guyana border flared up, it was submitted to a neutral commission, which in 1899 decided it mostly in Guyana’s favour.^[1] Today, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is known widely for its petroleum industry, the environmental diversity of its territory, and its natural features. Venezuela is considered to be among the world’s 17 most biodiverse countries.^[2]

Venezuela is among the most urbanized countries in Latin America;^[3]^[4] the vast majority of Venezuelans live in the cities of the north, especially in the capital Caracas which is also the largest city. Other major cities include Maracaibo, Valencia, Maracay, Barquisimeto, Ciudad Guayana and the popular tourist city of Mérida. Venezuela is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats.