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The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country in northern South America. It borders the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean to the north, Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. Off the Venezuelan coast are also found the Caribbean states of Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago.

The name of Venezuela was inspired by cartographer Amerigo Vespucci in 1499, during his naval exploration of the noroccidental coast (known today as the Gulf of Venezuela), along with Alonso de Ojeda. When reaching the Guajira Peninsula, the crew observed the stilt villages the natives had made over the water, these being known as palafitos. For Vespucci, this was a clear reminiscence to the city of Venice. Therefore, the discovered region was baptized as Venezuela, which means Little Venice.

Venezuela is home to a wide variety of landscapes, such as the northeasternmost extensions of the Andes mountains in the northwest and along the northern Caribbean coast, of which the highest point is the Pico Bolivar at 5,007 m.

Also found in the northwest are the lowlands around Lake Maracaibo and the Gulf of Venezuela. The centre of the country is characterised by extensive plains known as the llanos that stretch from the Colombian border to the river delta of the Orinoco east. To the south are found the dissected Guiana Highlands, home to Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall.

The local climate is tropical and generally hot and humid, though more moderate in the highlands. The capital, Caracas is also the country's largest city. Other major cities include Maracaibo, Barquisimeto, Valencia, Maracay, and Ciudad Guayana.

Travel Category: Main Travel Page » South America » Venezuela

Useful travel links and resources for Venezuela by our editors. Find quality travel links about Venezuela's hotels, tours, cruises, car rentals and vacation packages in Venezuela.