 Located on the northern coast of South America, Venezuela means ‘Little Venice’ and is a former Spanish colony that has since obtained federal republic status. The country is bordered by Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east and Colombia to the west, the Caribbean meanwhile lies north of the coast.
Venezuela is a country blessed with significant natural beauty offering diverse landscapes, picturesque Caribbean-style beaches and thousands of square miles of lush national parkland. Islands located off the coast offer their own unique ecosystems and can be reached easily by boat, making for some interesting visitor exploration. Forty national parks are home to some fascinating species of flora and fauna making Venezuela a key visitor destination for those with an avid interest in nature.
 Venezuela’s big cities are vibrant affairs with busy downtown areas and energetic locals contributing to the distinctly Hispanic atmosphere. Caracas, the capital, is a culture-rich city offering modern amenities such as large shopping malls, contemporary night life and great restaurants. Mérida meanwhile, is another large city, famous for its cable car and sights such as the Lagoons of Mucubaji, the Valle Grande and Los Anteojos.
Besides its wealth of natural beauty, Venezuela has much to offer the visitor in the way of attractions with fascinating museums, classic colonial architecture and numerous outdoor activity options. Fantastic local cuisine makes eating out a genuinely unique experience while a wealth of vibrant annual festivals increase the cultural appeal of the country.
Well developed tourist infrastructures in cities such as Caracas, Mérida and Ciudad Bolívar, present visitors with a good selection of accommodation options with no shortage of quality hotels to choose from. Reputable chains such as Radisson, Best Western, Marriott, Sheraton and Hilton operate branches in Venezuela, offering their usual high standards of services and guest facilities.
 Caracas Maiquetía International Airport, a major air facility located in the country’s capital, provides the main point of entry for most international visitors serving European, American, Canadian and South American destinations. Ferries provide a reasonable alternative to air travel while road options are considered risky at best. Once in the country, the main options for getting around include public buses and taxis. Rental cars are available but driving in Venezuela comes with some risks so visitors are often advised against it. A rail service is also available covering a limited part of the country.
Venezuela is a destination not without its fair share of risks for visitors. However, those holidaymakers heeding warnings and remaining mindful and vigilant to the possibilities of being targeted for crime will generally enjoy a trip without any unfortunate incidents. Hotels can be of assistance for visitors with regards to issues such as reputable taxi drivers, car rental firms and unsafe night spots.
Weather
 Venezuela essentially experiences only two distinct seasons; a wet season and a dry season. The wet season lasts from May through until October, peaking in August when anything up to 14 inches of rain can be expected. Temperatures throughout the wet season are fairly constant, with daily highs averaging 20ºC. Regional variations can affect the volumes of rainfall experienced during the wet season with the northeastern coast receiving greater levels of precipitation than the northwestern. Rainfall generally comes in short, heavy bursts and often leaves the air fresher and cooler. The dry season officially begins in December and lasts until March. Temperatures are lower at this time with daily highs averaging 18ºC. The dry season is undoubtedly the best time to take a trip to Venezuela as days are warm and pleasant and predictably dry, allowing for comfortable travelling and sightseeing. If you decide to visit during the wet season then pack loose clothing as well as some waterproofs and be prepared for not only the rain but also the humidity.
History
 Venezuela’s earliest settlers were Native Americans of the Carib and Arawak tribes and it wasn’t until the arrival of Christopher Columbus in 1498 that the region saw any real civilisation.
Columbus claimed Venezuela as a Spanish territory and the region was given a degree of autonomy over its development with Spanish control administered from a distance. Colonisation occurred in 1522 when Venezuela became the first permanent South American settlement belonging to the Spanish Empire. Initially it was included as part of the Viceroyalty of Peru, but later it was incorporated into Viceroyalty of New Granada with some eastern parts of the country becoming part of New Andalusia.
The country went on to stage a series of uprisings against the Spanish with the prominent Venezuelan marshal Francisco de Miranda leading them to a declaration of independence on 5 July 1811. Venezuela did not however, achieve full sovereignty until after 1821 when El Libertador, otherwise known as, Simón Bolívar, José Antonio Páez and Antonio José de Sucre joined forces to ensure their success in the Battle of Carabobo on 24 June.
 Independence was further secured by the victory achieved by José Prudencio Padilla at the Battle of Lake Maracaibo on 24 July 1823. From 1909 until 1935, the country was ruled under the dictatorship of Juan Vincente Gomez and experienced rapid development as a result of the success of its oil industry.
In the mid 20th century, the country attempted to establish democracy with elections for the Presidency and National Assembly. This was a short lived experiment however, reaching its unfortunate conclusion in 1945; following which, Venezuela was ruled by military dictatorships until 1961.
Today, the country is ruled by President Hugo Chávez who took control following a military coup in 1992, later going on to win a presidential election in 1998. Attempts have been made to depose Chávez, however for now his position would appear to be safe.
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