Venezuela

Recently, US President Donald Trump stated that his administration would “close the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela in its entirety.” This statement has renewed international attention on Venezuela’s geopolitical position.

Location of Venezuela

Venezuela is located on the northern coast of South America.

• It is bordered by Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the southwest and west.

• To the north, Venezuela has maritime boundaries with the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, giving it strategic coastal access.

Capital

The capital city of Venezuela is Caracas.

Geographical Features of Venezuela

Venezuela has diverse physical geography, ranging from mountains to plains and highlands.

Terrain

• The Andes Mountains and Maracaibo Lowlands are located in the northwest.

• The central plains (Llanos) form an extensive grassland region.

• The Guiana Highlands lie in the southeast.

Rivers and Lakes

• Major Rivers:

  • The Orinoco River, shared with Colombia.

  • The Rio Negro, shared with Colombia and Brazil.

• Major Lakes:

  • Lake Maracaibo, the largest lake in South America.

  • Lake Guri, an important freshwater reservoir.

Important Physical Landmarks

• Highest Peak: Pico Bolívar.

• Angel Falls, the world’s highest waterfall, is located in the Guiana Highlands.

Natural Resources

Venezuela is one of the most resource-rich countries in the world.

• It possesses the world’s largest proven oil reserves.

• Other important resources include coal, iron ore, bauxite, and gold.