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main | venezuela | venezuela's ecosystems

VENEZUELAN ECOSYSTEMS

Venezuela is an ecotraveler's paradise. It is a land of many contrasts: Amazonian rain forests; La Gran Sabana with its mystical Tepuys, reputed to be among the oldest rock formations on Earth; waterfalls, including Angel Falls, the world's highest at 3200 feet; high Andean mountains with peaks reaching more than 16,000 feet; spectacular birds and wildlife in the Great Plains of "Los Llanos"; and the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean surrounding Venezuela's uninhabited islands along more than 1800 miles of coastline.

Venezuela is blessed with incredible tropical biodiversity. In a country roughly the size of Texas, nearly 1,300 species of birds can be found, 44% of the total species found in all of South America and a remarkable 1/6 of the world's recorded species. In addition, there are 30,000 recorded species of flowering plants as well as exotic wildlife, from monkeys, caimans, capybaras, jaguars, and tigers to giant anteaters and tropical snakes.

Fifteen percent of the nation's territory is comprised of 43 National Parks. Canaima is one of the few remaining untouched secrets of this world. It is a place so preserved that visitors can only arrive by plane. Part of Canaima National Park offers spectacular scenery of tropical forests, savannah, and the famous Laguna de Canaima. Another feature of Canaima National Park is Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. With an uninterrupted water drop of 3,212 feet, it is fifteen times higher than Niagara Falls. There are other waterfalls, notably Hacha Falls and El Sapo Falls, which are within hiking distance of Canaima Camp.

Los Roques National Park is an archipelago of more than 100 tiny islands surrounded by coral reefs, approximately 80 miles off the coast of Caracas. Because it is a National Park and access is very limited, the natural beauty of the islands remains relatively untouched.

The Venezuelan Government and the Venezuelan Eco Tourism Association have initiated various programs to help preserve Venezuela's natural environments. Responsible tourism is one of the most vital tools in advancing the cause of preservation.

Venezuela's Ecosystem
Simón Bolívar
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