1. Venezuela In a Nut Shell By; Brandon Stratton

2. Why go there Has South America's largest lake Has South America's largest lake Third-longest river Third-longest river Highest waterfall in the world Highest waterfall in the world The longest of all snakes The longest of all snakes There are the snowcapped peaks of the Andes in the west There are the snowcapped peaks of the Andes in the west Steamy Amazonian jungles in the south Steamy Amazonian jungles in the south The beautiful Gran Sabana plateau The beautiful Gran Sabana plateau Miles of white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms on the Caribbean coast. Miles of white-sand beaches fringed with coconut palms on the Caribbean coast.

3. Quick Gen. Info Full country name: República Bolivariana de Venezuela Area: 916,445 sq km Population: 25 million Capital City: Caracas (pop 4,608,934) People: 67% mestizo, 21% European descent, 10% African descent, 2% indigenous. Language: Spanish Religion: Roman Catholic (96%), Protestant Government: federal republic Head of State: President Hugo Chávez Full country name: República Bolivariana de Venezuela Area: 916,445 sq km Population: 25 million Capital City: Caracas (pop 4,608,934) People: 67% mestizo, 21% European descent, 10% African descent, 2% indigenous. Language: Spanish Religion: Roman Catholic (96%), Protestant Government: federal republic Head of State: President Hugo Chávez

4. MONEY!!! GDP: US$194.5 billion GDP per capita: US$8,500 Annual Growth: -0.9% Inflation: 29.9% Major Industries: Petroleum, iron ore, cereals, fruit, sugar and coffee. Major Trading Partners: USA, Germany, Japan, Colombia, Brazil, Italy GDP: US$194.5 billion GDP per capita: US$8,500 Annual Growth: -0.9% Inflation: 29.9% Major Industries: Petroleum, iron ore, cereals, fruit, sugar and coffee. Major Trading Partners: USA, Germany, Japan, Colombia, Brazil, Italy

5. When should I go? The tourist season in Venezuela runs year-round The tourist season in Venezuela runs year-round dry season is more pleasant for traveling dry season is more pleasant for traveling Angel Falls - are certainly more impressive in the wet season. Angel Falls - are certainly more impressive in the wet season. Christmas, Carnaval (several days before Ash Wednesday) and Semana Santa (Holy Week; the week before Easter Sunday). you have to plan ahead and do a little more legwork before you find a place to stay. Christmas, Carnaval (several days before Ash Wednesday) and Semana Santa (Holy Week; the week before Easter Sunday). you have to plan ahead and do a little more legwork before you find a place to stay.

6. Public Holidays January 1 - New Year's Day Before Easter Sunday - Monday Thursday & Good Friday April 19 - Declaration of Independence May 1 - Labor Day June 24 - Battle of Carabobo July 5 - Independence Day July 24 - Bolívar's Birthday October 12 - Discovery of America December 25 - Christmas

7. Caracas The capital of Venezuela is a huge, vibrant, South American city. Tremendously wealthy and desperately poor. In Caracas, the greatest attractions are the city's skyscrapers and the teetering shantytowns that cover the hills around it. Cities are very different then ours here. He wealthy live down town, and the very poor live around the city.

8. Amazon Jungle The Amazon region in the south of the country is thick with tropical rain forest, with rivers crisscrossing through out the land, and home to a number of isolated Indian tribes. Tours up the Orinoco, Sipapo or Autana rivers and deep into the Venezuelan Amazon can be arranged.

9. Caribbean Coast (Venezuela) The northeast coast is the place to go for outdoor activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, sailing or just lying around and enjoying the sun. The county's beaches are the best here, long beaches with white sand lapped by turquoise waters and lined with coconut palms. Isla de Margarita, 40km (25mi) from the mainland, is a favorite for beach-lovers and a popular holiday destination for Venezuelans. It is easily accessible by ferry from Cumaná and Puerto La Cruz on the mainland.

10. Conclusion Alright, this is a very fun country with many festive quarks in there culture. I have been through many sites and they all say that if you like to party to all hours of the night, or want to shop during the day and sit and relax every night on the beaches, this is the place to go. The only downfall is the political circumstances right now, they just finished a moderately violent coup of the Gov. so if you can avoid and of these situations then you should have the time of your life. Alright, this is a very fun country with many festive quarks in there culture. I have been through many sites and they all say that if you like to party to all hours of the night, or want to shop during the day and sit and relax every night on the beaches, this is the place to go. The only downfall is the political circumstances right now, they just finished a moderately violent coup of the Gov. so if you can avoid and of these situations then you should have the time of your life.