Venezuela is one of the world's 17 most mega-diverse countries, including wildlife, nature and environmental diversity. The nation is considered the most urbanized of all Latin American countries, with the majority of its population residing in the northern cities, most notably Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. Bordered by a vast stretch of the Caribbean Sea to the north, Venezuela is made of of both mainland terrain and a host of Caribbean islands.

Sharing borders with Venezuela are the Latin American countries of Guyana to the east, Colombia to the west and Brazil to the south. Just north of the equator, Venezuela is a tropical region, experiencing warm temperatures throughout the year. There are only two seasons in Venezuela - the Dry Season and the Wet Season. While the warm Venezuela weather remains such year round, the only real change is the level of precipitation received during each season.

Venezuela is believed to have gotten it's name from a 1499 naval expedition, lead by Amerigo Vespucci and Alonso de Ojeda. Upon arriving on the coast of this lush region, they witnessed houses built upon the water, which reminded them greatly of Venice, Italy. They called the area "Venezuola", which translates in Italian to, "Little Venice". Another theory as to the origins of Venezuela's name comes from Martín Fernández de Enciso, a member of Vespucci and Ojeda's crew. He wrote Summa de Geografía, which states the people of the region were called Veneciuela, which would suggest that the name actually originated from a native word. However, the 'Little Venice' theory remains more widely accepted.

The nation has approximately 2,800 kilometers of coastline and a beautiful, highly diverse landscape. In the northwest lies the northern most stretch of the Andes Mountains, which continue north along the Caribbean coastline. The highest land point, located in this region, is 4,979 meters above sea level, located in Pico Bolívar. From the western Colombian border to the Orinoco River delta in the east lies a vast terrain of rolling plains. The Guiana Highlands are found in the south of Venezuela, home to the northern reaches of the Amazon Basin and the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls.

Being one of the most bio-diverse nations in the world, Venezuela is home to approximately 21,000 plant species, 38% of which are unique to the region. About 50% of Venezuela's amphibian species, 23% of the reptilian species and 48 of the 1,417 species of birds are also unique to the region. The cloud forests and lowland rain-forests host their own rich bio-diversity, home to more than 25,000 species of orchids, including the national flower, the flor de mayo orchid. Deforestation in 2000 posed a massive threat to the ecosystem in Venezuela, but the government quickly stepped up to solve the issue. By 2003, 70% of Venezuela's territory was under conservation management, with over 200 protected habitats that include 43 national parks.

Venezuela has a mixed economy that relies mostly on petroleum, bringing in more than half of the country's revenue and making up about 80% of its exports. As beautiful as the landscape and scenery of Venezuela are, tourism is not nearly as large a factor in the economy as in nearby Latin American countries, like Costa Rica and Panama.

Vacationing In Venezuela

As we just mentioned, tourism is not a primary industry in Venezuela. For this reason, vacationers who prefer a luxurious, tropical vacation in Latin America, without the excessive crowding of high-tourism related regions, will find Venezuela more than accommodating. The geographical landscape of Venezuela provides so much contrast, anyone can find the perfect destination to suit their style. From the sandy beaches and magnificent sunsets of the Caribbean coastline, to the mountainous regions of the northwest and the southern rain-forests of the Amazon Basin, the wildlife and natural beauty of Venezuela is simply spectacular.

For those interested in planning an Venezuela vacation, you will find Venezuela.Rica24 is the perfect starting point. We provide in-depth resources regarding every aspect of a Venezuela vacation. From travel agencies, accommodations, dining and Venezuela attractions, to public and private transportation - anything you may need to know before and during your stay in the harmonious regions of Venezuela can be found right here.

Moving to Venezuela - Real Estate Properties

Investors and home buyers have not yet discovered the amazing wonders of Venezuela to the extent of other Latin American countries; therefore the price range for Venezuela real estate properties and undeveloped properties is significantly lower. The magnificent landscapes and scenery, however, are quite the same. It won't be long before buyers discover the great prospects in Venezuela real estate, so there is no better time to make the big move.

Venezuela.Rica24 provides Venezuela Real Estate properties listings, along with a complete Guide to Purchasing Venezuela Real Estate (coming soon), which includes in-depth descriptions of property rights and types, purchasing procedures and methods, taxes and fees and most importantly, how to protect your investment. You'll also find detailed materials describing how to buy a car, how to obtain a driver's license, a temporary or permanent residency visa, educational and employment opportunities - virtually everything you could possibly need to know before moving to Venezuela.

At Venezuela.Rica24, our number-one goal is to shepherd you towards, and assist in the completion, of a wondrous Venezuela vacation or successful Venezuela real estate acquisition. With a little help and expertise from Rica24, you can make your dreams a reality, whether they be investing your way to a wealthy future, or retiring in the magnificently diverse landscape of Venezuela.