Homeland

Venezuela, my home country.  A name that, when it is pronounced by me, floods my soul with pride and nostalgia at the same time.  This Latin American country is located on the northern coast of South America.  It is bordered by Colombia, Brazil, Guyana and the impressive Caribbean Sea on the north, on which rests the wonderful Margarita Isle.  These amazing 915, 000 km2 are the refuge of about 31 million people, spread over 23 states, with a variety of ancestries.  Each state is characterized by its own culture, gastronomy, tradition, weather and even its own slang, where Spanish is its first and official language.

In addition to those fascinating facts, Venezuela is known widely for its petroleum industry, as well as for its colossal gold reserves.  Moreover, it is known for its variety of weather conditions in its different regions, such as Merida state, which is located on the South-East part of the country, with the coldest temperatures and beautiful snowfalls.  On the other hand, Zulia State, located in the North-East part, is gifted with the highest temperatures and the biggest lake in South America, “The Maracaibo Lake.”  All these marvelous natural gifts, in addition to the most beautiful beaches, the amazing “Coro desert” and the astonishing Gran Sabana, make Venezuela a country with the biggest environmental diversity and most incredible natural features.

The Gran Sabana is one of the most impressive places of the Venezuelan territory; it is located in Canaima National Park, where there are some of the oldest formations of the earth. This savanna spreads into the south-east part of Bolívar State, extending further to the borders with Brazil and Guyana.  It has an area of 10, 820 km2 (4, 180 sq mi) and is part of the largest National Park in Venezuela.

The location offers one of the most unusual landscapes in the world, with impenetrable jungles, Tepuyes, numerous waterfalls, and rivers that run north to south and are part of the Caroni River. This river has an important purpose for the country because its waters feed the Guri Dam, the largest hydroelectric plant in Venezuela.

To the West part of the savanna, you will find the Canaima Lagoon and Angel falls, the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall, with a height of 979 meters (3, 212 ft).  It is one of Venezuela’s top tourist attractions, though a trip to the falls is a complicated affair due to its location in an isolated jungle.  All of the Gran Sabana is home to a huge diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats, what makes Venezuela to be considered among the 17 most mega-diverse countries in the world.  It is a unique place with views that you will not see anywhere else in the world.

Due to its diversity of industrial resources and the cultural diversity of its population, Venezuelan cuisine often differs greatly from one region to another.  Its cuisine, traditional as well as modern, is influenced by its European, West African and Native American traditions.  Among the most traditional dishes, we can find “Pabellon”, which is a plate of white rice, shredded beef in stew and stewed black beans.  It is commonly accompanied by fried plantains and “Arepas.”  Arepas is the second most traditional dish in Venezuela.  It is eaten daily in this country; it is made of corn meal and can be served with accompaniments such as cheese, ham, chicken and so many more options.  Additionally, “Cachapas” is another traditional and very well-known dish in this marvelous country.  This dish can be made like pancakes of fresh corn dough, or wrapped in dry corn leaves and boiled.  It is traditionally eaten with hand-made cheese and occasionally with fried pork.

These are just some reasons to make everybody think about visiting this amazing country, which makes it different from any other around the world, and once more, demonstrate the wonder of the creation of the world and its nature.