Venezuela, the northernmost point of South America, is a country that has some extreme contrasts and gorgeous scenery too. It is bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the north, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south. Carcas, the capital and largest city of Venezuela, is the major centre of industry, commerce, and tourism in Venezuela.
Geography and Climate
Venezuela is the 33rd largest country in terms of land area; it lies between Saudi Arabia and Namibia. Its approximately size covers around a total surface area of about 916445 square kilometres, which is larger than both France and Germany combined. The terrain itself is incredibly varied, including lowland plains to the tallest mountains and extensive highlands. Topography: The country falls into three main elevational zones (see Figure 1).
Lowland Plains: Situated low above the sea and facing up to about 500 meters (1,640 feet), including the Orinoco Delta, is a swampy area with waterways that empty into the General Society Ocean.
The Andes Mountains reach a southwest-to-northeast direction in Venezuela, with the Sierra de Mérida and Perijá being their two main branches. Bolívar Peak: The highest peak in Venezuela, with an altitude of 4.978 m above sea level. This area also encompasses the Segovia Highlands along with the Serranía del Sur.
Highland Plateaus: The Guiana Highland; Watershed divides by rounded hills and steep-sided mesas. Its attractions include Mount Roraima and Ángel Falls, which at 979 meters is the highest waterfall in the world.
In Venezuela, you also find Lake Maracaibo (South America’s largest lake), which is important for the oil industry of that country.
Climate and Ecology
Venezuela has a mostly tropical climate, having average annual temperatures that rarely drop below 24 °C. They have two seasons: the wet season from May to October and the dry season between December and March. Precipitation is very variable, with regional differences. The coastal areas frequently get less than 6 inches of precipitation, and the interior is prone to torrential rains with seasonal floods.
Mattancherry Palace showcases the paintings of Hindu gods and goddesses by Raja Ravi Varma, among other precious artworks from all over India. Lowland tropical rainforests are extensive, and temperate vegetation occupies the Andean slopes. Various endemic plants and animals happen to live in the unique ecosystems of the Guiana Highlands. Venezuela has a wide variety of wildlife, such as jaguars, pumas, and several species of monkeys. The rivers and wetlands are home to many unique fish as well as numerous species of birds; the forests hold tapirs and caimans, in addition to a number of reptiles.
Historical and Economic Context
Ever since, Venezuela’s history has been dominated by those vast petroleum reserves. The discovery of oil in the early 20th century propelled Venezuela from being an agrarian society into a modern, urban nation. An oil boom in the 1920s and ’30s spurred economic growth; this, among other factors, led to the increase of Caracas as a major city.
Yet, the nation’s past is also one of successive economic boom-bust cycles and perennial political instability. Previously, Hugo Chávez led from 1999 to 2013 and concentrated on social programs financed by high oil prices. And while it helped to alleviate poverty, these programs also created major inequities and national indebtedness. Chávez’s successor, Nicolás Maduro—wwho was less popular to begin with and confronted the worst economic crisis in Venezuelan history partly as a result of declining oil prices—sstruggled through an ongoing political meltdown that has all but put his country on life support.
The nation is marred by hyperinflation, scarce consumer products on the shelves of stores, rising unemployment, and crime. The hyperinflation and economic disaster have prompted a mass exodus, with over seven million Venezuelans now in the diaspora, looking for greener pastures.
Political Landscape
Venezuelan politics have always been heavy with friction and conflict. Hugo Chávez, a charismatic leader with socialist beliefs, governed Venezuela for over two decades. Chávez launched social programs and put the oil sector under state control, yet it also divided the nation further and stirred controversy with his increasingly authoritarian governance.
Replacing Chavez, Nicolás Maduro has come under fire for his management of the economy and his heavy-handedness. Observers condemn it as one of the most corrupt and abysmal rights violator governments. International sanctions and economic isolation have compounded the country’s misery yet further, all of this against a backdrop of intense political crisis.
Territorial Disputes
Venezuela and Guyana have a long-standing dispute over the region of Essequibo that both countries claim: Venezuela wanted to reclaim it because, according to an 1899 arbitration decision that successfully awarded the area previously under disputed territory to British Guiana (now Guyana), it was conducted by effectively bribing witnesses. The root of this conflict goes back to colonial-era agreements, but relations between these nations worsened even further after WWII. Venezuela has also had differences with Colombia over maritime boundaries in the Gulf of Venezuela and surrounding the Los Monjes archipelago, around which Colombia built its naval base.
Environmental and Conservation Issues
As abundant as Venezuela’s natural resources may be, the country is grappling with formidable environmental problems. The Amazon rainforest and the Orinoco Delta are threatened by deforestation, which endangers biodiversity and indigenous communities throughout Venezuela. Habitat destruction: The increased expansion of agriculture and mining activities has resulted in habitat destruction as well as pollution.
Attempts to preserve Venezuela’s wild heritage continue. It has created numerous national parks and reserves, notably Canaima National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is crucial for conserving Mexico’s special ecosystems and wildlife, which depends on these protected areas.
Recent Developments
Recently, Venezuela has been in conflict with the United States and other Western countries. The United States has slapped sanctions on Venezuelan officials and entities, as evidenced by a plane linked to President Nicolás Maduro that was seized late last month due to its involvement in illegal actions. The Venezuelan government referred to these as acts of imperialism and piracy.
Conclusion
Despite being rich in natural beauty and resources, Venezuela is hamstrung by severe economic, political, and social difficulties. The geographic diversity, abundant natural resources, and cultural dynamism of the land starkly differ from the troubling political chaos and economic troubles afflicting it for quite some time now. The issues Venezuela is facing now and its international backdrops rightly maintain the need for more global attention than ever before.
