National Parks

Venezuela has a multitude of national parks that showcase the diverse ecosystems of the country. Venezuela's national park system was established in the early 20th century. In 1935, the mountainous land along the northern coast was used to found Venezuela's first national park. Originally Rancho Grande, the park has been known as the Parque Nacional Henri Pittier (named in honor of a Swiss biologist and ecosystem champion) since 1953. Today, Venezuela has 43 national parks. What follows are descriptions of some of the most famous and highly visited Venezuelan national parks.

Henri Pittier

The Swiss biologist, Henri Pittier, was the first to protect the Venezuela's ecosystems. Parque Nacional Henri Pittier has dramatic topography that is characterized by steep slopes covered with deciduous and tropical forest and cloud forest at higher elevations. The park's flora is exuberant. Arboreal ferns, bromeliads, and several species of ornamental plant-notably the rare, endemic Gunnera pittierana-flourish. Animal life is equally diverse and the park is home to pumas, ocelots, otters, brocket deer, tapirs, kinkajous, coatis, tree porcupines, several species of snake and lizard and the marsupial frog. more info

Canaima

Canaima National Park is the sixth largest national park in the world. The park encompasses the Laguna Canaima, the Carrao river basin, the mountains of Sierra de Lema, the Gran Sabana and the Angel Falls. The landscape of the park is dramatic and contrasting. Massive geological and altitudinal variation has produced a huge range of habitats within which flourishes an exuberant diversity of flora. The park is characterized by its numerous waterfalls and is famous for its tepui (table top mountains rising out of the flatlands), which are concentrated in the Gran Sabana and create an absolutely stunning setting at sunrise and sunset. The average temperature ranges from 40°F to 75°F depending on altitude and season. The dry season is from January to March.

Los Roques Archipelago

The archipelago of Los Roques is probably the best known of Venezuela's Caribbean islands. Los Roques is an atoll of reef islands, tidal islets and reefs surrounding the Laguna Central. A massive variety of marine life exists in and around the reef habitats, and for this, the area was declared a national park in 1972. The archipelago is Venezuela's largest marine park. The islands are edged with brilliant white sand, and at low tide, finger-like sandbars protrude into the turquoise sea.

El Guácharo

The main feature of the park is its large cave system itself. It was discovered along with its unique inhabitant, the guácharo (oilbird), by the scientist and explorer Alexander Humboldt in 1799. The bird colony numbers around 18,000 and occupies the first chamber of the cave together with mice, crickets and crabs. Visitors are guided by lanterns down a concrete path that meanders alongside a stream and among vast piles of decomposing palm-seeds dropped by the guácharos. Visitors have access to the first sector of the cave; deeper exploration is possible but only with specialized equipment and permission from the park's authorities.

History and Culture

As of the year 2002, Venezuela's population is approximately 22 million. There are 31 indigenous tribes in Venezuela. Native tribes have been living in what is now known as Venezuela since 14,000 B.C. At the time of the land's discovery by Christopher Columbus, it is estimated that over 500,000 native people lived there.

Simón Bolivar, born in Caracas, led Venezuela to independence from Spain in 1821. Initially, Venezuela was part of one large state comprising Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador. By 1830, however, three separate republics were created. Today, Venezuela is a constitutional democracy.

Currency
In 2008 the currency underwent an overhaul – there were deemed too many zeros previously in their valuation – in fact the official currency was Bolivars and as many as 2,150 Bolivars were equal to $1 US. Now the currency is called Bolivar Fuerte and earlier in 2010 it was revalued once more and now BsF4.30 equals $1 US officially. It is not recommended to use ATM machines in Venezuela although in many major cities credit cards may be used if absolutely necessary. Since there exists a black market in currency many people exchange Euros or Dollars at differing rates higher than the official one!

Music
Venezuelan music combines Spanish, African and native rhythms. The native dance is called the joropo, which features vocals, guitars, maracas and harps. Along the coast there is a strong African influence. The locals dance the sensual tambora to powerful drum rhythms.

Other traditional dishes include arepas (plain fried corn pancakes), the empanada (deep-fried cornmeal turnover filled with chicken, ham, cheese or fish) and the cachito (like a hot croissant filled with chopped ham and/or cheese).

There is also an abundance of fruits, such as mangos, papayas, avocados, passion fruit, oranges and bananas. Venezuela is also known for the quality of it cocoa beans which produces the most refined chocolate.

The most popular alcoholic drinks are rum, beer (cerveza) and aguardiente (sugar cane).
 
For more information about Venezula's history and culture consult a country study guide from the US Library of Congress