Venezuela is a land of striking contrasts in northern South America, where Caribbean beaches meet towering Andes mountains and vast plains stretch into dense rainforests.
Map of Venezuela
Key geography facts
1. Venezuela is a large country with diverse landscapes. In the northwest, you’ll find the towering Andes mountains and dry forests near Lake Maracaibo. To the west, the vast grasslands of the Llanos stretch along the Orinoco River. The southern half of the country is covered by the lush and humid Guiana Highlands.
2. The Orinoco River is a crucial waterway with over 2,000 tributaries. Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in South America, and Lake Guri are significant bodies of water in Venezuela.
3. Pico Bolívar, at 4,978 meters (16,332 feet), is the highest point in Venezuela. The country also boasts Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, dropping 979 meters (3,212 feet) in the Guiana Highlands.
4. Venezuela has a warm climate with distinct rainy and dry seasons. Its geography includes dry, hot Maracaibo Lowlands, cooler and temperate Andes, warm central plains, and humid jungle-tropical Guiana Highlands.
Recommended reading: Fun Facts About Venezuela
Venezuela regions
Venezuela is divided into nine geographic regions. States and territories are organized into these regions.
- Andean Region (Mérida, Táchira, Trujillo states)
- Capital Region (Caracas, La Guaira, Miranda states)
- Central Region (Aragua, Carabobo states)
- Central-Western Region (Falcón, Lara, Yaracuy states)
- Eastern Region (Anzoátegui, Monagas, Sucre states)
- Guayana Region (Amazonas, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro states)
- Insular Region (Nueva Esparta, Federal Dependencies)
- Los Llanos Region (Apure, Barinas, Cojedes, Guárico, Portuguesa states)
- Zulian Region (Zulia state)
Natural regions
Venezuela is divided into eight very distinct natural regions.
- Andean Natural Region
- Caribbean Mountain-System Natural Region
- Guayana Natural Region
- Insular Natural Region
- Lake Maracaibo Lowlands Natural Region
- Lara-Falcón Hill-System Natural Region
- Los Llanos Natural Region
- Orinoco Delta Natural Region
Map of Venezuela in Europe
Venezuela is bordered by Guyana, Brazil and Colombia.
Venezuela major cities
Caracas – The capital and largest city, known for its cultural institutions, political significance, and mountainous surroundings.
Maracaibo – A major city in northwestern Venezuela, known for its oil industry and Lake Maracaibo.
Valencia – An industrial hub, known for its manufacturing and as the capital of Carabobo state.
Barquisimeto – Known as the musical capital of Venezuela, with a strong cultural scene.
Maracay – A city with a strong military presence located near the Henri Pittier National Park.
Ciudad Guayana – A major industrial city in northeastern Venezuela known for its steel and aluminum production.
Maturín – The capital of Monagas state, important for its role in the oil industry.
Puerto La Cruz – A coastal city known for its tourism, beaches, and as a gateway to the Mochima National Park.
San Cristóbal – Located near the Colombian border, known for its Andean culture and trade.
Mérida – A university city in the Andes, known for its cool climate and beautiful scenery and as a hub for adventure tourism.
Other major cities in Venezuela: Barcelona, Barinas, Ciudad Bolívar, Cabimas, Cumaná, El Vigía, Guatire, La Guaira, Los Teques, Petare, Porlamar, Punto Fijo, San Felipe del Rey, Santa Teresa del Tuy, Turmero.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and owner of The Facts Institute. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.
Ivy Hollys is a freelance content writer for integrity-based information platforms.
Her focus is primarily on using her skill to provide accurate information to everyone. With a background in natural resource conservation, she writes helpful content for platforms with similar interest.
Her experience in writing spans across various platforms including news and lifestyle blogs in her home country and abroad.