According to simplyyellowpages, the capital of Venezuela – Caracas is located at an altitude of 1000 meters above sea level. The city was founded in the middle of the 16th century, and its location was perfect for protecting the city from pirate attacks. In addition, the presence of rivers and streams near the city, as well as soil suitable for agriculture, made it possible to immediately start growing cocoa beans here. The main part of the attractions of Caracas is located on the territory of the old city, which the locals call “El Centro”. The main square of the capital – Plaza Bolívar has concentrated around itself the main architectural sights and numerous historical monuments. In the south of the square rises the beautiful building of the city museum, on the ground floor of which is the Municipal Council. The Karkas Museum exhibits numerous paintings and documents that tell about the events of the struggle for independence. To the east of the square is the Cathedral of the Catedral de Caracas, built in the colonial style. Compared to other Latin American cathedrals, this one is significantly poorer, due to the fact that Venezuela was not considered valuable to the Spanish crown. Relatives of Simon Bolivar are buried on the territory of the local cemetery, thanks to which this place is one of the places of pilgrimage. Along the Park Central area stretches a long line of street vendors who offer tourists a wide variety of goods. There are also places of interest for tourists around the city, such as Avila National Park, peacefully lying on the slopes of a mountain range. And behind the park are many kilometers of beaches of the Caribbean coast. The student city of Merida is also interesting, in which 40 thousand students live and study. The city is famous for its huge number of parks, there are 28 of them here, and this is more than in any other city in the country. The main advantage of Merida and a place that is definitely worth a visit is the highest and longest cable car. The length of the cable car is 12.6 km, and it rises from the city center, which is located at an altitude of 1640 meters above sea level, to the second highest peak in Venezuela – Espejo (4765 meters). The Paria Peninsula is one of the main natural attractions of the country. Almost the entire territory of the peninsula is covered with mountains, on which a tropical forest grows rapidly, descending to the sea coast. Traveling around the peninsula, you can start from the city of Krupano, which was one of the main seaports for the export of cocoa. Today it is the only city in Venezuela that hosts a traditional festival. Traveling to the east of the peninsula, there are numerous villages with colorful colonial buildings. It is also worth visiting the area around El Pilar mountain, where upscale spa resorts and hotels are located. Here you can participate in excursions to cocoa farms and relax in hot springs. Of course, you should definitely take a look at the pearl of Venezuela – Angel Falls. The highest point from which the water falls is 807 meters. The waterfall lies in the heart of the Canaima National Park. It was officially opened in 1935 by an American pilot, but for many years Indians lived on this territory. Due to the fact that the waterfall is not located in the most convenient place for walking tours, air tours are most common here. Small planes with tourists fly over the entire territory of the National Park: huge forests, canyons, and a huge waterfall will leave a lot of impressions for any tourist. In addition to the plane, you can get here by rafting along the river and a two-kilometer hiking path through the jungle.
National cuisine of Venezuela
The formation of Venezuelan cuisine was due to the fusion of the traditions of the indigenous Indian peoples living in this territory, European and Latin American cuisine. As in most Latin American countries, the basis of the local diet is corn, legumes, bananas, meat and rice. All this is used in the most unexpected combinations. Basically, all local snacks consist of the so-called “arepa” flatbreads, they wrap meat, fish and other fillings, and are also used as an independent dish. In Venezuela, there are a huge variety of options for preparing arepas. Most often, of course, a tortilla is a simple substitute for our usual bread. There is also an arepa-like dish called kachapa, which is sweet pancakes with cheese. An important role in Venezuelan cooking is meat, it can be like poultry meat, as well as pork and beef. The most common meat dishes are soups and vegetables stewed with meat. Assorted rice, cheese, beef, beans and fried bananas are considered a traditional dish. Many fresh water bodies and the sea coast also left their mark on the development of local cuisine. Trout, sea bass, snapper and even such exotic fish as piranha are served on the table here. A favorable climate for growing a variety of fruits has led to the fact that fruits of various types are most often served here for dessert. You should definitely try guava with cream and salad of vegetables and green avocado.
