Editing Geography of Venezuela

{{Short description|none}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox country geography
| name               = Venezuela
| map                = Ve-map.png
| continent          = South America
| region             = [[Caribbean]]
| coordinates        = {{Coord|8|00|N|66|00|W|type:country}}
| area ranking       = 32nd
| km area            = 912050<ref name=":1"/>
| percent land       = 96.71
| km coastline       = 2,800<ref name=":1"/>
| exclusive economic zone = {{convert|471507|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}
| borders            = {{cvt|5,267|km|mi}}<ref name=":1"/>
| geographic center  =
| highest point      = [[Pico Bolívar]] <br /> {{Convert|4978|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1"/>
| lowest point       = [[Caribbean Sea]] <br /> {{convert|0|m}}<ref name=":1"/>
| longest river      = 
| largest lake       = 
}}
[[Image:Venezuela Topography.png|thumb|270px|Topographic map of Venezuela]]
[[Image:Venezuela.gif|thumb|270px|Political map of Venezuela]]
[[Image:Venezuela econ 1972.jpg|thumb|270px|Economic activity map of Venezuela, 1972]]
[[Image:Venezuela veg 1972.jpg|thumb|270px|Vegetation map of Venezuela, 1972]]
[[Image:Venezuela petrol 1972.jpg|thumb|270px|Petroleum map of Venezuela, 1972]]

'''[[Venezuela]]''' is a country in [[South America]], bordering the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the North [[Atlantic Ocean]], between [[Colombia]] and [[Guyana]]. It is situated on major sea and air routes linking [[North America|North]] and South America. Located at the northernmost end of South America, Venezuela has a total area of {{convert|912050|km2|mi2|abbr=on}} and a land area of {{convert|882050|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Venezuela: a country study|publisher=[[Federal Research Division]], [[Library of Congress]]|location=Washington, D.C.|url=https://www.loc.gov/item/92010376/|date=1993|editor-last=Haggerty|editor-first=Richard A.|edition=4th|isbn=0-8444-0747-X|oclc=25633004|postscript=. {{PD-notice}}}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Citation|title=Venezuela|date=12 November 2021|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/venezuela/|work=[[The World Factbook]]|publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency]]|access-date=12 November 2021}}. {{PD-notice}}</ref> It is the 32nd largest country and is slightly smaller than [[Egypt]], or half the size of [[Mexico]]. Shaped roughly like an inverted triangle, the country has a {{convert|2800|km|mi|abbr=on}} long coastline.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/> It is bound on the north by the [[Caribbean Sea]] and the Atlantic Ocean, on the east by Guyana, on the south by [[Brazil]], and on the west by Colombia.<ref name=":0"/> It has the 55th largest [[Exclusive Economic Zone]] of {{convert|471507|km2|mi2|abbr=on}}. Its maritime territory borders [[Trinidad and Tobago]], [[Dominica]], the [[Dominican Republic]], [[Grenada]], [[St. Kitts and Nevis]], [[St. Vincent and the Grenadines]], [[France]], the [[United Kingdom]], the [[Netherlands]], and the [[United States]]. The [[Guyana–Venezuela territorial dispute]] has continued since the nineteenth century, with Venezuelan claiming a territory it calls "Guayana Esequiba", which is currently controlled by Guyana.

==Topography==
Most observers describe Venezuela in terms of four fairly well-defined regions: the [[Maracaibo Basin|Maracaibo lowlands]] in the northwest, the northern mountains extending in a broad east–west arc from the [[Colombia–Venezuela border|Colombian border]] along the Caribbean Sea, the wide Orinoco plains ([[Llanos]]) in central Venezuela, and rank highly dissected [[Guiana highlands]] in the southeast.<ref name=":0"/>

The Maracaibo lowlands form a large spoon-shaped oval bounded by mountains on three sides and open to the Caribbean on the north.<ref name=":0"/> The area is remarkably flat with only a gentle slope toward the center and away from the mountains that border the region.<ref name=":0"/> [[Lake Maracaibo]] occupies much of the lower-lying territory.<ref name=":0"/> Areas around the southern part of Lake Maracaibo are swampy, and, despite the rich agricultural land and significant petroleum deposits, the area was still thinly populated as of 1990.<ref name=":0"/>{{Update inline|date=November 2021}}

The mountains bordering the Caribbean Sea are actually the northeasternmost extension of the [[Andes]] chain.<ref name=":0"/> Broken by several gaps, these high mountains have peaks over {{Convert|4500|m}}; the fertile valleys between the ranges contain most of Venezuela's population, industry, and agriculture.<ref name=":0"/> The discontinuous westernmost range runs along the Colombian border and is the least densely populated part of this region.<ref name=":0"/> The ranges southeast of Lake Maracaibo contain some of the highest peaks in the country ([[Pico Bolivar]] reaches {{Convert|4978|m|abbr=on}}), a few of which are snowcapped year-round.<ref name=":0"/><ref name=":1"/>

A broad gap separates this mountainous area from another rugged pair of ranges that parallel the north-central coast.<ref name=":0"/> The series of valleys between these two parallel ranges constitute the core area of the country; as the site of burgeoning metropolitan [[Caracas]], this comparatively small area hosts the country's densest population, the most intensive [[Agriculture in Venezuela|agriculture]], and the best [[Transportation in Venezuela|transportation network]].<ref name=":0"/> Another broad gap separates this area from the easternmost group of mountains, a series of dissected hills and uplands that rise steeply from the Caribbean and extend eastward almost to Trinidad.<ref name=":0"/>

The great expanse of lowlands known as the Orinoco plains extend westward from the Caribbean coast to the Colombian border between the northern mountains and the [[Orinoco|Rio Orinoco]].<ref name=":0"/> This region is commonly known as the llanos, although it also contains large stretches of [[Orinoco Delta swamp forests|swampland]] in the [[Orinoco Delta]] and near the Colombian border.<ref name=":0"/> The area slopes gradually away from the highland areas that surround it; elevations in the llanos never exceed {{Convert|200|m}}.<ref name=":0"/> North of the [[Rio Apure]], rivers flowing out of the northern mountains cut shallow valleys, leaving [[Erosion|eroded]] ridges that give the land a gently rolling appearance.<ref name=":0"/> South of the Apure, the terrain is flatter and elevations lower.<ref name=":0"/>

One of the oldest landforms in South America, the Guiana highlands rise almost immediately south and east of the Rio Orinoco.<ref name=":0"/> Erosion has created unusual formations in this region.<ref name=":0"/> Making up over half of the country, the highlands consist primarily of plateau areas scored by swiftly running tributaries of the Orinoco.<ref name=":0"/> The most conspicuous topographical feature of the region is the [[Gran Sabana]], a large, deeply eroded high plateau that rises from surrounding areas in abrupt cliffs up to {{Convert|800|m}}.<ref name=":0"/> Above the rolling surface of the Gran Sabana, massive, flat-topped bluffs emerge; many of these bluffs (referred to as [[tepui]]s by the Venezuelans) reach considerable altitudes.<ref name=":0"/> The most famous tepui contains [[Angel Falls]], the world's highest waterfall.<ref name=":0"/>

==Climate==
Although the country lies wholly within the tropics, its climate varies from tropical humid to alpine, depending on the elevation, topography, and the direction and intensity of prevailing winds.<ref name=":0"/> Seasonal variations are marked less by temperature than by rainfall.<ref name=":0"/> Most of the country has a distinct rainy season; the rainy period (May through November) is commonly referred to as winter and the remainder of the year as summer.<ref name=":0"/>

Average yearly rainfall amounts in the lowlands and plains range from an [[desert climate|arid]] {{convert|180|mm|in|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} in the [[Paraguaná Peninsula]] – the driest part of South America outside the [[Arid Diagonal]]{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} – to around {{convert|1000|mm|in|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} in the Orinoco Delta<ref name=":0"/> and {{convert|2200|mm|in|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} or more in [[Los Llanos]] and [[Amazonas (Venezuelan state)|Amazonas]].{{Citation needed|date=November 2021}} Rainfall in mountainous areas varies considerably; sheltered valleys receive little rain, but slopes exposed to the northeast trade winds experience heavy rainfall.<ref name=":0"/> Caracas averages {{convert|800|mm|in|0|sp=us|abbr=on}} of precipitation annually, with very little rain falling from December to April.<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{Cite book|last=Kent|first=Robert B.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yGqVCwAAQBAJ&dq=caracas+annual+precipitation+900&pg=PA146|title=Latin America: Regions and People|date=2016|publisher=Guilford Publications|isbn=978-1-4625-2550-8|edition=2nd|pages=135}}</ref>

The country falls into four temperature zones based primarily on elevation. In the tropical zone—below {{convert|800|m|ft|abbr=on}}—temperatures are hot, with yearly averages ranging between {{convert|26|and|28|C|F|0}}.<ref name=":0"/> The temperate zone ranges between {{convert|800|and|2000|m|ft|-2|sp=us|abbr=on}} with averages from {{convert|12|to|25|C|F}}; many of Venezuela's cities, including the capital, lie in this region.<ref name=":0"/> Colder conditions with temperatures from {{convert|9|to|11|C|F|0}} are found in the cool zone between {{convert|2000|and|3000|m|ft|-2|sp=us|abbr=on}}.<ref name=":0"/> Pastureland and permanent snowfield with yearly averages below {{convert|8|C}} cover land above {{convert|3000|m|ft|-2|sp=us|abbr=on}} in the high mountain areas known as the [[Andean Moorland|páramos]].<ref name=":0"/>

===Climate data===

{{Weather box
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes 
|width = auto 
|location       = [[Caracas]] (Köppen Aw/Cwb)
|Jan high C     = 23.3    |Jan record high C = 31.9
|Feb high C     = 23.6    |Feb record high C = 34.1
|Mar high C     = 24.3    |Mar record high C = 35.3
|Apr high C     = 25.0    |Apr record high C = 33.5
|May high C     = 25.8    |May record high C = 34.4
|Jun high C     = 26.0    |Jun record high C = 32.8
|Jul high C     = 25.5    |Jul record high C = 33.6
|Aug high C     = 25.8    |Aug record high C = 31.5
|Sep high C     = 25.5    |Sep record high C = 32.2
|Oct high C     = 25.2    |Oct record high C = 31.4
|Nov high C     = 24.6    |Nov record high C = 31.2
|Dec high C     = 23.8    |Dec record high C = 30.8
|year high C    = 24.9   |year record high C = 35.3
|Jan mean C     = 19.6
|Feb mean C     = 19.7
|Mar mean C     = 20.2
|Apr mean C     = 21.2
|May mean C     = 22.0
|Jun mean C     = 22.0
|Jul mean C     = 21.7
|Aug mean C     = 21.9
|Sep mean C     = 21.9
|Oct mean C     = 21.8
|Nov mean C     = 21.3
|Dec mean C     = 20.2
|year mean C    = 21.1
|Jan low C      = 15.9     |Jan record low C = 7.1
|Feb low C      = 15.8     |Feb record low C = 10.9
|Mar low C      = 16.0     |Mar record low C = 11.4
|Apr low C      = 17.5     |Apr record low C = 12.5
|May low C      = 18.2     |May record low C = 13.1
|Jun low C      = 18.1     |Jun record low C = 14.9
|Jul low C      = 17.9     |Jul record low C = 14.1
|Aug low C      = 18.1     |Aug record low C = 14.3
|Sep low C      = 18.3     |Sep record low C = 15.5
|Oct low C      = 18.4     |Oct record low C = 13.1
|Nov low C      = 18.0     |Nov record low C = 11.9
|Dec low C      = 16.5     |Dec record low C = 10.0
|year low C     = 17.4    |year record low C = 7.1
|rain colour    = green
|Jan rain mm    = 15.3
|Feb rain mm    = 13.2
|Mar rain mm    = 11.4
|Apr rain mm    = 59.2
|May rain mm    = 81.7
|Jun rain mm    = 134.1
|Jul rain mm    = 118.4
|Aug rain mm    = 123.8
|Sep rain mm    = 115.4
|Oct rain mm    = 126.3
|Nov rain mm    = 72.6
|Dec rain mm    = 41.4
|year rain mm   = 912.8
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days  = 6
|Feb rain days  = 4
|Mar rain days  = 3
|Apr rain days  = 7
|May rain days  = 13
|Jun rain days  = 19
|Jul rain days  = 19
|Aug rain days  = 18
|Sep rain days  = 15
|Oct rain days  = 15
|Nov rain days  = 13
|Dec rain days  = 10
|year rain days = 142
|Jan humidity   = 73.7
|Feb humidity   = 74.2
|Mar humidity   = 73.0
|Apr humidity   = 76.3
|May humidity   = 75.4
|Jun humidity   = 75.1
|Jul humidity   = 74.1
|Aug humidity   = 74.0
|Sep humidity   = 74.9
|Oct humidity   = 74.7
|Nov humidity   = 73.7
|Dec humidity   = 74.7
|year humidity  = 74.5
|Jan sun        = 229.4
|Feb sun        = 217.5
|Mar sun        = 235.6
|Apr sun        = 183.0
|May sun        = 182.9
|Jun sun        = 183.0
|Jul sun        = 210.8
|Aug sun        = 217.0
|Sep sun        = 213.0
|Oct sun        = 210.8
|Nov sun        = 210.0
|Dec sun        = 213.9
|year sun       = 2506.9
|source 1       = Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (INAMEH)<ref name="Caracasclimate-t">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf|title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias|work=INAMEH|language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=31 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref><ref name="clima-caracas">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf|title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias|work=INAMEH|language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=31 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf|archive-date=15 June 2013}}</ref>
|source 2       = World Meteorological Organization (rainfall data),<ref name="Caracaswmo">{{cite web|url=http://worldweather.wmo.int/135/c00288.htm|title=World Weather Information Service – Caracas|publisher=World Meteorological Organization|access-date=16 October 2012|archive-date=6 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706042935/http://worldweather.wmo.int/135/c00288.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Hong Kong Observatory (sun only),<ref name="HKO Caracas">{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/s_america/col_ve/caracas_e.htm|title=Climatological Information for Caracas, Venezuela|publisher=Hong Kong Observatory |access-date= 16 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141004142036/http://www.weather.gov.hk/wxinfo/climat/world/eng/s_america/col_ve/caracas_e.htm |archive-date= 4 October 2014 |url-status= dead}}</ref> NOAA(extremes)<ref name="NOAA">{{cite web|url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-III/VN/80416.TXT|title=Caracas-La-Carlota Climate Normals 1961–1990|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|access-date= 15 January 2013}}</ref>
|date           = October 2012}}

{{Weather box
| location = [[Maracaibo]] (Köppen BSh)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| collapsed = Yes 
| width = auto 
| Jan record high C = 36.4
| Feb record high C = 39.4
| Mar record high C = 39.9
| Apr record high C = 39.6
| May record high C = 46.8
| Jun record high C = 39.0
| Jul record high C = 39.8
| Aug record high C = 38.1
| Sep record high C = 37.0
| Oct record high C = 36.6
| Nov record high C = 36.3
| Dec record high C = 36.8
| year record high C = 43.6
| Jan high C = 32.5
| Feb high C = 32.8
| Mar high C = 33.1
| Apr high C = 33.1
| May high C = 33.1
| Jun high C = 33.6
| Jul high C = 36.1
| Aug high C = 35.2
| Sep high C = 33.6
| Oct high C = 32.5
| Nov high C = 32.4
| Dec high C = 32.5
| year high C = 35.1
| Jan mean C = 27.7
| Feb mean C = 28.0
| Mar mean C = 28.6
| Apr mean C = 29.0
| May mean C = 29.1
| Jun mean C = 29.3
| Jul mean C = 29.5
| Aug mean C = 29.6
| Sep mean C = 29.1
| Oct mean C = 28.3
| Nov mean C = 28.3
| Dec mean C = 27.9
| year mean C = 28.7
| Jan low C = 22.8
| Feb low C = 23.2
| Mar low C = 24.1
| Apr low C = 24.8
| May low C = 25.0
| Jun low C = 24.9
| Jul low C = 24.9
| Aug low C = 24.9
| Sep low C = 24.6
| Oct low C = 24.1
| Nov low C = 24.1
| Dec low C = 23.9
| year low C = 24.2
| Jan record low C = 19.2
| Feb record low C = 18.8
| Mar record low C = 20.4
| Apr record low C = 20.7
| May record low C = 20.5
| Jun record low C = 20.2
| Jul record low C = 21.0
| Aug record low C = 20.2
| Sep record low C = 20.2
| Oct record low C = 20.0
| Nov record low C = 20.6
| Dec record low C = 18.9
| year record low C = 18.8
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 5.1
| Feb rain mm = 2.7
| Mar rain mm = 5.9
| Apr rain mm = 52.1
| May rain mm = 66.8
| Jun rain mm = 55.4
| Jul rain mm = 26.5
| Aug rain mm = 60.0
| Sep rain mm = 104.0
| Oct rain mm = 114.4
| Nov rain mm = 70.6
| Dec rain mm = 16.9
| year rain mm = 580.4
| Jan rain days = 0.6
| Feb rain days = 0.3
| Mar rain days = 0.6
| Apr rain days = 3.6
| May rain days = 6.1
| Jun rain days = 6.7
| Jul rain days = 3.6
| Aug rain days = 5.8
| Sep rain days = 8.1
| Oct rain days = 9.2
| Nov rain days = 5.3
| Dec rain days = 1.7
| year rain days = 51.6
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan humidity = 69.0
| Feb humidity = 68.5
| Mar humidity = 68.0
| Apr humidity = 71.5
| May humidity = 73.5
| Jun humidity = 71.0
| Jul humidity = 69.0
| Aug humidity = 69.5
| Sep humidity = 72.0
| Oct humidity = 75.0
| Nov humidity = 73.0
| Dec humidity = 72.0
| year humidity = 71.0
| Jan sun = 300.0
| Feb sun = 279.0
| Mar sun = 286.0
| Apr sun = 257.0
| May sun = 243.0
| Jun sun = 253.0
| Jul sun = 301.0
| Aug sun = 279.0
| Sep sun = 272.5
| Oct sun = 282.9
| Nov sun = 258.0
| Dec sun = 272.7
| year sun = 3284.1
| source 1 = '''Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (INAMEH)'''<ref name="Maracaiboclima-t">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf
 |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias
 |work=INAMEH
 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología
 |language=es
 |url-status=dead
 |access-date=15 May 2014
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf
 |archive-date=15 June 2013
}}</ref><ref name="Maracaiboclima-tm">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf
 |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias
 |work=INAMEH
 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología
 |language=es
 |url-status=dead
 |access-date=15 May 2014
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf
 |archive-date=15 June 2013
}}</ref>
| source 2 = NOAA (extremes and sun 1961–1990),<ref name="NOAA Maracaibo">{{cite web|access-date=15 May 2014|publisher=[[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]|title=Maracaibo Climate Normals 1961-1990|url=ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-III/VN/80407.TXT}}</ref> [[World Meteorological Organization]] (precipitation, 1961–1990)<ref name=WMOmaracaibo>
{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/135/c01197.htm
| title = World Weather Information Service – Maracaibo
| publisher = World Meteorological Organization
| access-date = 15 May 2014}}</ref>
| date = August 2022
}}

{{Weather box
 | width       = auto
 | collapsed   = yes
 | metric first = yes
 | single line = yes
 | location    = [[Valencia, Venezuela|Valencia]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]) (Aw)
 | Jan record high C = 37.1
 | Feb record high C = 39.3
 | Mar record high C = 38.9
 | Apr record high C = 38.7
 | May record high C = 38.1
 | Jun record high C = 35.5
 | Jul record high C = 35.6
 | Aug record high C = 35.6
 | Sep record high C = 36.2
 | Oct record high C = 36.0
 | Nov record high C = 37.6
 | Dec record high C = 36.4
 | year record high C = 39.3
 | Jan high C = 32.3
 | Feb high C = 32.8
 | Mar high C = 33.5
 | Apr high C = 33.2
 | May high C = 32.5
 | Jun high C = 31.5
 | Jul high C = 31.1
 | Aug high C = 31.0
 | Sep high C = 31.8
 | Oct high C = 32.0
 | Nov high C = 32.1
 | Dec high C = 32.2
 | year high C = 32.2
 | Jan mean C = 24.9
 | Feb mean C = 25.3
 | Mar mean C = 26.1
 | Apr mean C = 26.4
 | May mean C = 26.3
 | Jun mean C = 25.5
 | Jul mean C = 24.9
 | Aug mean C = 24.8
 | Sep mean C = 25.2
 | Oct mean C = 25.4
 | Nov mean C = 25.5
 | Dec mean C = 25.3
 | year mean C = 25.5
 | Jan low C = 20.0
 | Feb low C = 20.5
 | Mar low C = 21.4
 | Apr low C = 22.1
 | May low C = 22.4
 | Jun low C = 21.7
 | Jul low C = 21.2
 | Aug low C = 21.2
 | Sep low C = 21.5
 | Oct low C = 21.6
 | Nov low C = 21.4
 | Dec low C = 20.9
 | year low C = 21.3
 | Jan record low C = 14.6
 | Feb record low C = 16.0
 | Mar record low C = 15.9
 | Apr record low C = 17.5
 | May record low C = 18.0
 | Jun record low C = 17.5
 | Jul record low C = 16.7
 | Aug record low C = 15.2
 | Sep record low C = 16.4
 | Oct record low C = 16.5
 | Nov record low C = 17.0
 | Dec record low C = 13.8
 | year record low C = 13.8
 | rain colour = green
 | Jan rain mm = 55.1
 | Feb rain mm = 32.5
 | Mar rain mm = 26.4
 | Apr rain mm = 71.8
 | May rain mm = 116.0
 | Jun rain mm = 135.9
 | Jul rain mm = 183.1
 | Aug rain mm = 187.1
 | Sep rain mm = 185.1
 | Oct rain mm = 194.9
 | Nov rain mm = 130.6
 | Dec rain mm = 86.0
 | year rain mm = 1404.5
 | unit rain days = 1.0 mm
 | Jan rain days = 2.3
 | Feb rain days = 1.5
 | Mar rain days = 2.1
 | Apr rain days = 6.0
 | May rain days = 9.1
 | Jun rain days = 12.5
 | Jul rain days = 14.3
 | Aug rain days = 14.6
 | Sep rain days = 12.3
 | Oct rain days = 12.1
 | Nov rain days = 7.8
 | Dec rain days = 3.9
 | year rain days = 98.5
 | source 1 = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Venezuela/CSV/Valencia_80472.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Valencia
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 29, 2024}}</ref>
}}

{{Weather box 
|width = auto
|location = [[Barquisimeto]] (Köppen BSh)
|single line = Yes
|metric first = Yes
|collapsed = Yes 
|Jan record high C = 33.9
|Feb record high C = 35.4
|Mar record high C = 37.5
|Apr record high C = 35.6
|May record high C = 35.6
|Jun record high C = 34.0
|Jul record high C = 32.8
|Aug record high C = 33.8
|Sep record high C = 34.0
|Oct record high C = 34.1
|Nov record high C = 33.6
|Dec record high C = 32.8
|year record high C = 37.5
|Jan high C = 29.5
|Feb high C = 30.3
|Mar high C = 31.1
|Apr high C = 30.4
|May high C = 29.6
|Jun high C = 28.9
|Jul high C = 28.8
|Aug high C = 29.7
|Sep high C = 30.2
|Oct high C = 30.2
|Nov high C = 29.8
|Dec high C = 29.1
|year high C = 29.8
|Jan mean C = 24.1
|Feb mean C = 24.7
|Mar mean C = 25.4
|Apr mean C = 25.5
|May mean C = 25.1
|Jun mean C = 24.6
|Jul mean C = 24.3
|Aug mean C = 24.8
|Sep mean C = 25.2
|Oct mean C = 25.2
|Nov mean C = 24.9
|Dec mean C = 24.1
|year mean C = 24.8
|Jan low C = 18.6
|Feb low C = 19.0
|Mar low C = 19.6
|Apr low C = 20.6
|May low C = 20.6
|Jun low C = 20.2
|Jul low C = 19.8
|Aug low C = 19.9
|Sep low C = 20.1
|Oct low C = 20.2
|Nov low C = 20.0
|Dec low C = 19.1
|year low C = 19.8
|Jan record low C = 13.4
|Feb record low C = 13.2
|Mar record low C = 12.6
|Apr record low C = 15.2
|May record low C = 16.5
|Jun record low C = 16.1
|Jul record low C = 16.4
|Aug record low C = 15.4
|Sep record low C = 15.4
|Oct record low C = 15.1
|Nov record low C = 15.0
|Dec record low C = 13.8
|year record low C = 12.6
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 9
|Feb rain mm = 8
|Mar rain mm = 14
|Apr rain mm = 65
|May rain mm = 75
|Jun rain mm = 78
|Jul rain mm = 77
|Aug rain mm = 53
|Sep rain mm = 39
|Oct rain mm = 49
|Nov rain mm = 48
|Dec rain mm = 25
|year rain mm = 540
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 1.5
|Feb rain days = 1.2
|Mar rain days = 1.7
|Apr rain days = 5.5
|May rain days = 7.9
|Jun rain days = 12.0
|Jul rain days = 10.6
|Aug rain days = 8.1
|Sep rain days = 5.8
|Oct rain days = 6.1
|Nov rain days = 6.4
|Dec rain days = 4.0
|year rain days = 70.8
|Jan humidity = 68.5
|Feb humidity = 66.5
|Mar humidity = 65.5
|Apr humidity = 70.0
|May humidity = 74.0
|Jun humidity = 75.0
|Jul humidity = 74.5
|Aug humidity = 73.0
|Sep humidity = 72.5
|Oct humidity = 73.0
|Nov humidity = 73.0
|Dec humidity = 72.0
|year humidity = 71.5
|Jan sun = 260.4
|Feb sun = 235.2
|Mar sun = 241.8
|Apr sun = 183.0
|May sun = 192.2
|Jun sun = 201.0
|Jul sun = 232.5
|Aug sun = 241.8
|Sep sun = 228.0
|Oct sun = 226.3
|Nov sun = 222.0
|Dec sun = 248.0
|year sun = 2712.2
|source 1 = '''Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (INAMEH)'''<ref name="clima-Bart">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="clima-tmBar">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=29 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref>
|source 2 = NOAA (extremes, precipitation, and sun)<ref name=NOAABar>{{cite web |url= ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REGIII/VN/80410.TXT |title=Barquisimeto Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
|date=October 2012
}}

{{Weather box
|width = auto 
|location = [[Puerto Ayacucho]] (Köppen Am)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high C = 38.8
|Feb record high C = 39.6
|Mar record high C = 40.2
|Apr record high C = 39.0
|May record high C = 38.6
|Jun record high C = 35.2
|Jul record high C = 35.0
|Aug record high C = 35.8
|Sep record high C = 36.4
|Oct record high C = 37.6
|Nov record high C = 36.8
|Dec record high C = 37.4
|year record high C = 40.2
|Jan high C = 34.4
|Feb high C = 35.4
|Mar high C = 35.5
|Apr high C = 33.5
|May high C = 31.5
|Jun high C = 30.4
|Jul high C = 30.3
|Aug high C = 31.0
|Sep high C = 31.9
|Oct high C = 32.7
|Nov high C = 33.2
|Dec high C = 33.5
|year high C = 32.8
|Jan mean C = 28.6
|Feb mean C = 29.3
|Mar mean C = 29.6
|Apr mean C = 28.6
|May mean C = 27.3
|Jun mean C = 26.5
|Jul mean C = 26.3
|Aug mean C = 26.7
|Sep mean C = 27.2
|Oct mean C = 27.7
|Nov mean C = 28.0
|Dec mean C = 28.1
|year mean C = 27.8
|Jan low C = 22.7
|Feb low C = 23.2
|Mar low C = 23.7
|Apr low C = 23.6
|May low C = 23.1
|Jun low C = 22.6
|Jul low C = 22.3
|Aug low C = 22.4
|Sep low C = 22.5
|Oct low C = 22.7
|Nov low C = 22.8
|Dec low C = 22.7
|year low C = 22.9
|Jan record low C = 17.8
|Feb record low C = 18.4
|Mar record low C = 18.3
|Apr record low C = 19.7
|May record low C = 17.2
|Jun record low C = 19.3
|Jul record low C = 18.1
|Aug record low C = 18.3
|Sep record low C = 18.3
|Oct record low C = 19.3
|Nov record low C = 19.9
|Dec record low C = 17.5
|year record low C = 17.2
|rain colour = green
|Jan rain mm = 31
|Feb rain mm = 36
|Mar rain mm = 74
|Apr rain mm = 163
|May rain mm = 311
|Jun rain mm = 408
|Jul rain mm = 398
|Aug rain mm = 298
|Sep rain mm = 198
|Oct rain mm = 183
|Nov rain mm = 127
|Dec rain mm = 42
|year rain mm = 2269
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 2.8
|Feb rain days = 2.9
|Mar rain days = 5.1
|Apr rain days = 11.3
|May rain days = 18.2
|Jun rain days = 22.3
|Jul rain days = 22.4
|Aug rain days = 19.5
|Sep rain days = 14.8
|Oct rain days = 13.9
|Nov rain days = 9.4
|Dec rain days = 5.0
|year rain days = 147.6
|Jan humidity = 72.4
|Feb humidity = 70.3
|Mar humidity = 72.3
|Apr humidity = 72.8
|May humidity = 74.3
|Jun humidity = 75.8
|Jul humidity = 74.5
|Aug humidity = 72.1
|Sep humidity = 71.3
|Oct humidity = 73.4
|Nov humidity = 72.8
|Dec humidity = 72.8
|year humidity = 72.9
|Jan sun = 275.9
|Feb sun = 252.0
|Mar sun = 248.0
|Apr sun = 177.0
|May sun = 151.9
|Jun sun = 129.0
|Jul sun = 145.7
|Aug sun = 155.0
|Sep sun = 168.0
|Oct sun = 201.5
|Nov sun = 222.0
|Dec sun = 260.4
|year sun = 2386.4
|source 1 = '''Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (INAMEH)'''<ref name="clima-puertot">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=Spanish |url-status=dead |accessdate=27 October 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |archivedate=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="clima-tmpuerto">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=Spanish |url-status=dead |accessdate=27 October 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |archivedate=15 June 2013 }}</ref>
|source 2 = NOAA (extremes, precipitation, and sun)<ref name=NOAAPuertoA>{{cite web |url= ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REGIII/VN/80457.TXT |title=Puerto Ayacucho Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |accessdate=12 August 2015}}</ref>

|date=October 2012
}}

{{Weather box
| location = [[Coro, Venezuela|Coro]] (Köppen BWh)
| single line = Yes
| metric first = Yes
| collapsed = Yes 
| width = auto 
| Jan record high C = 37.8
| Feb record high C = 35.9
| Mar record high C = 37.5
| Apr record high C = 43.6
| May record high C = 39.1
| Jun record high C = 38.2
| Jul record high C = 38.5
| Aug record high C = 39.5
| Sep record high C = 38.5
| Oct record high C = 38.1
| Nov record high C = 36.8
| Dec record high C = 36.8
| year record high C = 43.6
| Jan high C = 31.3
| Feb high C = 31.7
| Mar high C = 32.2
| Apr high C = 32.6
| May high C = 33.5
| Jun high C = 33.8
| Jul high C = 33.5
| Aug high C = 34.2
| Sep high C = 34.4
| Oct high C = 33.5
| Nov high C = 32.4
| Dec high C = 31.4
| year high C = 32.9
| Jan mean C = 27.5
| Feb mean C = 27.8
| Mar mean C = 28.3
| Apr mean C = 28.8
| May mean C = 29.6
| Jun mean C = 29.8
| Jul mean C = 29.5
| Aug mean C = 30.0
| Sep mean C = 30.1
| Oct mean C = 29.4
| Nov mean C = 28.6
| Dec mean C = 27.7
| year mean C = 28.9
| Jan low C = 23.6
| Feb low C = 23.8
| Mar low C = 24.3
| Apr low C = 24.9
| May low C = 25.6
| Jun low C = 25.7
| Jul low C = 25.5
| Aug low C = 25.7
| Sep low C = 25.8
| Oct low C = 25.3
| Nov low C = 24.8
| Dec low C = 23.9
| year low C = 24.9
| Jan record low C = 19.5
| Feb record low C = 19.0
| Mar record low C = 20.5
| Apr record low C = 21.1
| May record low C = 20.4
| Jun record low C = 21.8
| Jul record low C = 20.5
| Aug record low C = 21.6
| Sep record low C = 20.5
| Oct record low C = 20.7
| Nov record low C = 20.8
| Dec record low C = 18.9
| year record low C = 18.9
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 22.0
| Feb rain mm = 16.1
| Mar rain mm = 9.1
| Apr rain mm = 17.0
| May rain mm = 28.8
| Jun rain mm = 26.9
| Jul rain mm = 36.7
| Aug rain mm = 29.2
| Sep rain mm = 36.3
| Oct rain mm = 54.2
| Nov rain mm = 52.1
| Dec rain mm = 54.1
| year rain mm = 382.5
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan rain days = 2.5
| Feb rain days = 1.6
| Mar rain days = 1.2
| Apr rain days = 1.5
| May rain days = 2.6
| Jun rain days = 3.2
| Jul rain days = 4.3
| Aug rain days = 3.5
| Sep rain days = 3.7
| Oct rain days = 5.4
| Nov rain days = 5.8
| Dec rain days = 4.8
| year rain days = 40.1
| Jan humidity = 69.0
| Feb humidity = 68.5
| Mar humidity = 67.0
| Apr humidity = 69.0
| May humidity = 68.5
| Jun humidity = 68.0
| Jul humidity = 67.5
| Aug humidity = 67.0
| Sep humidity = 67.0
| Oct humidity = 70.5
| Nov humidity = 72.0
| Dec humidity = 71.0
| year humidity = 68.8
| Jan sun = 291.4
| Feb sun = 268.8
| Mar sun = 288.3
| Apr sun = 234.0
| May sun = 248.0
| Jun sun = 255.0
| Jul sun = 285.2
| Aug sun = 288.3
| Sep sun = 261.0
| Oct sun = 251.1
| Nov sun = 252.0
| Dec sun = 266.6
| year sun = 3189.7
| source 1 = '''Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (INAMEH)'''<ref name="Coroclima-t">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="clima-corotm">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="lluvia">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_LLUVIA.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Lluvia |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=28 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526131325/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_LLUVIA.pdf |archive-date=26 May 2012 }}</ref>
| source 2 = NOAA (extremes, rainy days, and sun)<ref name=CoroNOAA>{{cite web |url= ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/TABLES/REGIII/VN/80403.TXT |title=Coro Climate Normals 1961–1990 |publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=12 August 2015}}</ref>
| date = November 2011
| source = 
}}

{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location = [[Mérida, Mérida|Mérida]] (Köppen Am/Cwb)
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes 
|Jan record high C = 28.8
|Feb record high C = 30.0
|Mar record high C = 31.2
|Apr record high C = 31.7
|May record high C = 30.8
|Jun record high C = 30.3
|Jul record high C = 30.2
|Aug record high C = 31.0
|Sep record high C = 30.5
|Oct record high C = 29.2
|Nov record high C = 27.5
|Dec record high C = 27.1
|year record high C = 31.7
|Jan high C = 23.2
|Feb high C = 23.7
|Mar high C = 23.9
|Apr high C = 23.7
|May high C = 23.9
|Jun high C = 23.7
|Jul high C = 24.0
|Aug high C = 24.3
|Sep high C = 24.2
|Oct high C = 24.6
|Nov high C = 23.0
|Dec high C = 22.9
|year high C = 23.7
|Jan mean C = 18.1
|Feb mean C = 18.6
|Mar mean C = 19.1
|Apr mean C = 19.3
|May mean C = 19.6
|Jun mean C = 19.4
|Jul mean C = 19.3
|Aug mean C = 19.4
|Sep mean C = 19.4
|Oct mean C = 19.1
|Nov mean C = 18.7
|Dec mean C = 18.1
|year mean C = 19.0
|Jan low C = 13.0
|Feb low C = 13.5
|Mar low C = 14.3
|Apr low C = 15.0
|May low C = 15.2
|Jun low C = 15.0
|Jul low C = 14.5
|Aug low C = 14.6
|Sep low C = 14.7
|Oct low C = 14.7
|Nov low C = 14.4
|Dec low C = 13.4
|year low C = 14.4
|Jan record low C = 6.3
|Feb record low C = 4.2
|Mar record low C = 3.0
|Apr record low C = 5.8
|May record low C = 5.0
|Jun record low C = 5.6
|Jul record low C = 7.4
|Aug record low C = 5.8
|Sep record low C = 6.4
|Oct record low C = 6.2
|Nov record low C = 5.2
|Dec record low C = 7.6
|year record low C = 3.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 39.8
|Feb precipitation mm = 48.0
|Mar precipitation mm = 62.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 177.4
|May precipitation mm = 236.1
|Jun precipitation mm = 163.8
|Jul precipitation mm = 119.4
|Aug precipitation mm = 151.7
|Sep precipitation mm = 228.8
|Oct precipitation mm = 283.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 194.5
|Dec precipitation mm = 78.8
|year precipitation mm = 1784.7
|unit rain days = 1.0 mm
|Jan rain days = 5.9
|Feb rain days = 5.9
|Mar rain days = 7.5
|Apr rain days = 16.0
|May rain days = 19.1
|Jun rain days = 16.3
|Jul rain days = 15.0
|Aug rain days = 18.1
|Sep rain days = 18.8
|Oct rain days = 21.4
|Nov rain days = 17.0
|Dec rain days = 9.7
|year rain days = 170.7
|Jan humidity = 71.5
|Feb humidity = 71.0
|Mar humidity = 72.0
|Apr humidity = 75.5
|May humidity = 76.0
|Jun humidity = 76.0
|Jul humidity = 74.0
|Aug humidity = 73.5
|Sep humidity = 73.5
|Oct humidity = 76.0
|Nov humidity = 76.5
|Dec humidity = 73.5
|year humidity = 74.1
|Jan sun = 257.3
|Feb sun = 224.0
|Mar sun = 226.3
|Apr sun = 177.0
|May sun = 192.2
|Jun sun = 180.0
|Jul sun = 213.9
|Aug sun = 213.9
|Sep sun = 201.0
|Oct sun = 192.2
|Nov sun = 198.0
|Dec sun = 235.6
|year sun = 2511.4
|source 1 = '''Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (INAMEH)'''<ref name="clima-mert">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf 
 |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias 
 |work=INAMEH 
 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología 
 |language=es 
 |url-status=dead 
 |access-date=15 May 2014 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf 
 |archive-date=15 June 2013 
}}</ref><ref name="clima-mertm">
{{cite web
 |url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf 
 |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias 
 |work=INAMEH 
 |publisher=Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología 
 |language=es 
 |url-status=dead 
 |access-date=15 May 2014 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf 
 |archive-date=15 June 2013 
}}</ref> 
|source 2 = Datos climáticos Estación Santa Rosa período 1974–2001,<ref name="Red Bioclimática Mérida mer">{{cite web
|url = http://www.cecalc.ula.ve/redbc/colecciones/coleccion_estacion_santa_rosa/datos_estacion_santa_rosa.html
|title = Red Bioclimática Mérida (1974–2001) – Datos Santa Rosa 1974
|publisher = Red Bioclimática Mérida – Universidad de Los Andes
|access-date = 7 November 2015
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181116160400/http://www.cecalc.ula.ve/redbc/colecciones/coleccion_estacion_santa_rosa/datos_estacion_santa_rosa.html
|archive-date = 16 November 2018
|url-status = dead
}}</ref> [[World Meteorological Organization]] (precipitation, 1961–1990),<ref name=WMOMer>{{cite web
|url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/135/c01201.htm 
|title = World Weather Information Service – Merida 
|publisher = World Meteorological Organization 
|access-date = 15 May 2014}}</ref> NOAA(extremes and sun 1961–1990),<ref name="NOAAMer">{{cite web 
|url = ftp://ftp.atdd.noaa.gov/pub/GCOS/WMO-Normals/RA-III/VN/80438.TXT
|title = Merida Climate Normals 1961–1990
|publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
|access-date = 15 May 2014}}</ref>
|date=December 2011}}

== Geology ==
[[File:Salto del Angel-Canaima-Venezuela08.JPG|thumb|The photo above shows Angel Falls. It depicts the different geological layers that can be found throughout the Andes in Venezuela.]]
The Andes are located in the northwestern region of Venezuela.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Engleman |first=Rolf |date=1 June 1935 |title=Geology of Venezuelan Andes |url=https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/aapgbull/article/19/6/769/545509/Geology-of-Venezuelan-Andes1 |access-date=2023-03-02 |journal=AAPG Bulletin|volume=19 |doi=10.1306/3D932D20-16B1-11D7-8645000102C1865D }}</ref> The Andes are considered the longest mountain range on Earth spanning from 7,000 kilometers in length and 300 kilometers in width.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-540-48684-8 |title=The Andes |series=Frontiers in Earth Sciences |date=2006 |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-540-48684-8|isbn=978-3-540-24329-8 |editor1=Oncken, Onno |editor2=Chong, Guillermo |editor3=Franz, Gerhard |editor4=Giese, Peter |editor5=Götze, Hans-Jürgen |editor6=Ramos, Victor A |editor7=Strecker, Manfred R |editor8=Wigger, Peter }}</ref> The mountains are mainly composed of [[Paleozoic]] or older metamorphic rocks.<ref name=":3" /> Fossils from the [[Carboniferous]] period are commonly found throughout the mountain range.<ref name=":3" /> A recent example is the discovery of a potential new dinosaur found in the [[Táchira]] ''State,'' unearthed near the outskirts of the Andes mountains.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last1=Yirka |first1=Bob |last2=Phys.org |title=New dinosaur species unearthed in Venezuela |url=https://phys.org/news/2014-10-dinosaur-species-unearthed-venezuela.html |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=phys.org |language=en}}</ref> The dinosaur was named ''[[Tachiraptor]] admirabilis'' and is a small specimen measuring in at roughly 1.5 meters from the tip of its tail to the end of its nose.<ref name=":4" /> The team who discovered the dinosaur believe the specimen dates to the 201 million years ago, right at the end of the [[Triassic]] and start of the [[Jurassic]] period.<ref name=":4" />

Rocks and sediments ranging up to the [[Cretaceous]] period can be discovered at 3,000 meters or higher.<ref name=":3" /> In the more southwestern points of the Andes rocks form the [[Eocene]] period can be found in large masses.<ref name=":3" /> There are frequent clay deposits known as kaolinite, which are found all throughout Venezuela.<ref name=":5" /> These deposits are typically surrounded by latosol, a reddish iron rich dirt.<ref name=":5" /> The heavy rain that can be found throughout Venezuela has a large impact on the geology. [[Erosion]] is a common trend in Venezuela especially due to the extreme wet seasons.<ref name=":2" /> The geology of this mountain range especially in Venezuela has barely been studied even by oil companies.<ref name=":3" /> Historically Venezuela has struggled from colonization and this has led to a focus on recovery.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=The Current Situation in Venezuela |url=https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/02/current-situation-venezuela |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218182335/https://www.usip.org/publications/2022/02/current-situation-venezuela |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 February 2022 |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=United States Institute of Peace |language=en}}</ref> This has led to a focus more on economic advancements and less of a focus on [[earth science]]s.<ref name=":6" /> As of 2010 Venezuela has been in the midst of a political, economic, social and humanitarian crises.<ref name=":6" /> Many hope that the election in 2024 will help further advance and improve the nation's current situation.

==Hydrography==
{{See also|List of rivers in Venezuela}}
The [[Orinoco]] is by far the most important of the more than 1,000 [[List of rivers of Venezuela|rivers in the country]].<ref name=":0"/> Flowing more than 2,500 kilometers to the Atlantic from its source in the Guiana highlands at the Brazilian border, the Orinoco is the world's eighth largest river and the largest in South America after the [[Amazon River|Amazon]].<ref name=":0"/> Its flow varies substantially by season, with the high water level in August exceeding by as much as thirteen meters the low levels of March and April.<ref name=":0"/> During low water periods, the river experiences high and low tides for more than 100 kilometers upstream from [[Ciudad Guayana]].<ref name=":0"/>

For most of the river's course, the gradient is slight.<ref name=":0"/> Downstream from its headwaters, it splits into two; one-third of its flow passes through the [[Brazo Casiquiare]] (Casiquiare Channel) into a tributary of the Amazon, and the remainder passes into the main Orinoco channel. This passageway allows vessels with shallow drafts to navigate from the lower Orinoco to the Amazon River system after unloading and reloading on either side of two falls on the Orinoco along the Colombian border.<ref name=":0"/>

[[File:Venezuela Köppen.png|thumb|[[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] climate types of Venezuela.]]

Most of the rivers rising in the northern mountains flow southeastward to the Río Apure, a tributary of the Orinoco. From its headwater, the Apure crosses the llanos in a generally eastward direction.<ref name=":0"/> Few rivers flow into it from the poorly drained region south of the river and much of this area near the Colombian border is swampland.<ref name=":0"/>

The other major Venezuelan river is the fast-flowing [[Caroni River (Venezuela)|Caroní]], which originates in the Guiana highlands and flows northward into the Orinoco upstream from Ciudad Guyana.<ref name=":0"/> The Caroní is capable of producing as much hydroelectric power as any river in Latin America and has contributed significantly to the nation's electric power production. Electricity generated by the Caroní was one of the factors encouraging industrialization of the northern part of the Guiana highlands and the lower Orinoco valley.<ref name=":0"/>

[[Lake Maracaibo]] occupies the central 13,500 square kilometers of the Maracaibo lowlands.<ref name=":0"/> The low swampy shores of the lake and areas beneath the lake itself hold most of Venezuela's rich petroleum deposits.<ref name=":0"/> The lake is shallow, with an average depth of ten meters, and separated from the Caribbean by a series of islands and sandbars.<ref name=":0"/> In 1955 a 7.5-meter channel was cut through the sandbars to facilitate shipping between the lake and the Caribbean.<ref name=":0"/> The channel also allows salt water to mix with the yellowish fresh water of the lake, making the northern parts brackish and unsuited for drinking or irrigation.<ref name=":0"/>

A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were {{cvt|732|km2}} of tidal flats in Venezuela, making it the 36th ranked country in terms of tidal flat extent.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Murray |first1=N.J. |last2=Phinn |first2=S.R. |last3=DeWitt |first3=M. |last4=Ferrari |first4=R. |last5=Johnston |first5=R. |last6=Lyons |first6=M.B. |last7=Clinton |first7=N. |last8=Thau |first8=D. |last9=Fuller |first9=R.A. |title=The global distribution and trajectory of tidal flats |journal=Nature |date=2019 |volume=565 |issue=7738 |pages=222–225 |doi=10.1038/s41586-018-0805-8 |pmid=30568300 |s2cid=56481043 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0805-8}}</ref>

== Soil ==
[[File:Kaolin in Guiana Shield of Venezuela.jpg|thumb|A deposit of white clay which is also known as [[kaolinite]] surrounded by [[latosol]]. This photo was taken in Cantarrana, [[Bolívar (state)|Bolivar state]], Venezuela.<ref name=":5">{{Citation |title=English: A primary deposit of kaolin (white clay) near Cantarrana in Bolivar state, Venezuela. The kaolin was formed by the alteration of feldspar crystals of the mainly granitic basement rocks of the Guiana Shield. |date=2010-12-24 |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kaolin_in_Guiana_Shield_of_Venezuela.jpg |access-date=2023-03-01}}</ref>]]
Venezuelan soil is oftentimes unusable or considered infertile for typical farming and growing use. Reddish [[latosol]] is the typical type of soil that can be found throughout the entirety of Venezuela.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Venezuela {{!}} Economy, Map, Capital, Collapse, & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Venezuela |access-date=2023-03-01 |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=en}}</ref> This type of soil is rich in iron and aluminum oxide and extremely difficult in most other minerals. The abundance of iron and aluminum oxide is almost entirely due in part to the fact that these minerals are insoluble.<ref name=":2" /> Venezuelan soil is oversaturated and moist which makes it lacking in other soluble minerals. Rivers, like the [[Orinoco|Rio Orinoco]] and the [[Caroní River|Caroní]]''',''' are susceptible to flooding due in part to the heavy precipitation and intense wet seasons.<ref name=":2" />

Most fertile soil in Venezuela is created through the drainage of water from soils and designated agricultural farms.<ref name=":2" /> Historically, places within Venezuela with especially poor soil have been avoided as settlement areas.<ref name=":2" /> Only roughly 5% of the Venezuelan population is located south of the Orinoco river.<ref name=":2" /> Due to this issue of oversaturated soils Venezuela has invested in drainage technology, namely in two large watersheds. These watersheds dump into the Caribbean and the Atlantic respectively.<ref name=":2" />

== Historical Geography ==
[[File:Service-pnp-det-4a00000-4a05000-4a05700-4a05706r.jpg|thumb|''Venezuelan Horseman,'' a photograph taken anywhere in between the years 1901-1906.<ref name=":7"/> The photograph was published through [[Detroit Publishing Company]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |last=Avilés |first=Giselle M. |title=Research Guides: Venezuela: Hispanic Reading Room Country Guide: Introduction |url=https://guides.loc.gov/venezuela-country-guide/introduction |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=guides.loc.gov |language=en}}</ref>]]
"Frank Radcliffe; a Story of Travel and Adventure in the Forests of Venezuela" was written by a Christian man named Achilles Daunt.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Daunt |first=Achilles |url=http://archive.org/details/frankradcliffest1884daun |title=Frank Radcliffe; a story of travel and adventure in the forests of Venezuela |date=1884 |publisher=London, New York, T. Nelson |others=Brown University Library}}</ref> The Travelogue was published in 1884 and comprised a total of 432 pages depicting a foreigner's journey through the Venezuelan landscape.<ref name=":8" /> This is a great primary resource that lets historians observe, through intense descriptions, Venezuela prior to [[Industrialisation|industrialization]]. Examples of exports of Venezuela from this time are mentioned as sugar cane and coffee.<ref name=":8" /> Both exports throughout history have phased out of production. Since the early 1900s Venezuela has relied on oil as its main export.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |title=Venezuela Trade {{!}} WITS {{!}} Text |url=https://wits.worldbank.org/CountrySnapshot/en/VEN/textview |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=wits.worldbank.org}}</ref> As of 2013, raw materials make up 85.47% of Venezuela's total exports.<ref name=":9" /> This reliance on raw materials being the main exports was also described in the writing. The description of geography heavily ranges as Daunt travels through Venezuela. The landscape can range from mountainous, to heavy tropics, and even dry, flat lands.<ref name=":8" /> The natural water from the many different rivers within Venezuela led to lush forests that supported and facilitated wildlife.<ref name=":9" /> Daunt talks about flat mountainous structures that lead to a harsh drop.<ref name=":8" /> This was in reference to the many [[plateau]]s in Venezuela like the ones that can be found [[Canaima National Park]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |date=2021-07-13 |title=Venezuela's Flat-Topped Mountains |url=https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/images/148520/venezuelas-flat-topped-mountains |access-date=2023-03-04 |website=earthobservatory.nasa.gov |language=en}}</ref> The Canaima National Park spans more than 30,000 square kilometers.<ref name=":10" /> This makes it one of the largest parks in Venezuela and a popular tourist site.<ref name=":10" /> The river of Guaire is a hub of tropical life in Venezuela. The riverbanks were covered in large hedges of wild plants that sometimes rose to 30 feet.<ref name=":8" /> This travelogue provides empirical observations of land, geography, and wildlife during the late 1800s. It also shows interactions with natives of this land and the everlasting road to recovery from [[colonialism]].<ref name=":8" />

Photographs are great examples of empirical primary sources. They can be observed and help tell historians information that may not be discernible through writing or other forms of media. Looking at the ''Venezuelan Horseman'' we see a man dressed fairly well riding on a horse.<ref name=":7" /> In the background we see lush tropical plants that hold resemblance to a [[Musa (genus)|Musa]] plant.<ref name=":7" /> Other plants sporadically grow and combine with other plants to form large hedges of intertwined green.<ref name=":7" /> Within the photograph one can see the same information and descriptives that Daunt discusses when traveling through Venezuela.<ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" />

== Extreme points ==

* Northernmost point – [[Isla Aves]]
* Northernmost point (mainland)  – [[Cape San Román]]
* Southernmost point – Border with Brazil, [[Río Negro Municipality]], [[Amazonas (Venezuelan state)|Amazonas]]
* Westernmost point – Border with [[Colombia]], [[Zulia]] State
* Easternmost point – Border with [[Guyana]], near Caribbean sea coast, [[Delta Amacuro]] State
* Highest point – [[Pico Bolívar]]: {{Convert|4978|m|abbr=on}}<ref name=":1"/><ref>Pérez et al (Sep. 2005): [http://www.scielo.org.ve/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0378-18442005000400005&lng=es&nrm=iso "Alturas del Pico Bolívar y otras cimas andinas venezolanas a partir de observaciones Gps."] INCI v.30, n.4, Caracas sep. 2005. Retrieved 2012-09-27. {{in lang|es}}</ref>
* Lowest point – Caribbean Sea: 0 m<ref name=":1"/>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Venezuela topics}}
{{Geographical Regions of Venezuela}}
{{Geography of South America}}
{{South America topic|Climate of}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geography of Venezuela}}
[[Category:Geography of Venezuela| ]]