Venezuela is a country of beauty and geographic contrasts. Dense Amazon rainforest, 3,000 km (1,860 miles) of Caribbean coastline, snow-capped Andean peaks, the Llanos (plains) and the Gran Sabana, land of the table mountains, combine to form an adventurer's paradise. Venezuela is home to Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall, and Los Roques national park, which holds some of the Caribbean's most undisturbed islands. The capital city, Caracas, was settled in 1567.
Venezuela's climate is tropical. The low-lying plains and coastal areas are the hottest parts of the country. The mountain areas further inland are more temperate, and the high peaks in the Andes are always covered with snow.
About two-thirds of Venezuela's population is mestizo, or people of mixed Spanish and native extraction. Roughly 10 percent of the population is of pure African heritage. In the 1950s, a large number of Europeans immigrated to Venezuela, adding to the cultural mix. The official language is Spanish.
The best way to get to Venezuela is by air through Caracas. Within the country, vehicles are driven on the right. Traffic jams are common in Caracas and roads tend to be poorly marked. Buses are available for inexpensive transport, although service varies widely, and trains are virtually nonexistent. For extensive travel, the national air carrier offers passes good for unlimited flights.
Oil remains the mainstay of the Venezuelan economy. Mining, beef production and dairy farming are also major sources of foreign income.
There has been serious conflict in Venezuela between President Hugo Chavez and both labor and business groups. This conflict has included a quickly aborted coup. Demonstrations and protests are common and have at times been violent.
The crime rate in Venezuela is very high, especially in larger cities; and includes both personal assaults and property theft.
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