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Geographical information
Venezuela is situated on the northern coast of South America, north of Brazil and between Colombia and Guyana. The southeast is dominated by the Guayana Highlands, and a further 30% of the country is taken up by the vast grassland plain of the central Llanos, which is drained by South America's third-largest river, the Rio Orinoco. The continent's largest inland lake, Lake Maracaibo, lies in the northwest, surrounded by marshy, fertile lowlands. South of the lake rise the northern end of the Andes, known here as the Cordillera de Los Andes, which climb to 5007m (16,423ft) at Pico Bolivar
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Nature
| Flora | Boggy highland meadows in the Andes, known as paramos, are home to some of Venezuela's most amazing plant species. Equally diverse flora can be found on the tepuis (huge flat-topped mountains) in the southeast of the country, particularly Roraima. | | Fauna | Apart from some national parks that are home to a lot of bird species, it is difficult to see the animal species living in Venezuela. The private reserves/ ranches on the 'Llanos' are the best place for spotting most in Venezuela living animals. | | Natural Parks | Venezuela's 40-odd national parks provide a great range of treks, from well-signposted jaunts to jungle paths that should not be attempted without a machete and some local knowledge. Parque Nacional El Avila, which looms over Caracas, is probably a good place to start; head for Guatopo, Terepaima and San Esteban for less developed trails. The Canaima national park is very special because of its isolated flat-topped mountains. These mountains are home to special flora varieties. |
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Climate
The country's climate is predominantly tropical, with a warm temperate zone extending along the coast. Venezuela's climatic zones are defined by rainfall rather than by differences in temperature. The dry season (called the verano) extends from December to April, and the wet season (invierno) covers the remainder of the year. The Amazon region has no distinct dry season, and annual rainfall exceeds 200cm (78in), distributed evenly throughout the year.
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