About Caribbean

The Caribbean is a region consisting of the Caribbean Sea, its islands and the surrounding coasts. The region is located southeast of North America, east of Central America, and to the north of South America.

Situated largely on the Caribbean Plate, the region comprises more than 7,000 islands, reefs, and cays. Also called the West Indies, since Christopher Columbus landed here in 1492 believing he was in the Indies (in Asia), the region consists of the Antilles, divided into the larger Greater Antilles which bound the sea on the north and the Lesser Antilles on the south and east (including the Leeward Antilles), and the Bahamas. Geopolitically, the West Indies are usually reckoned as a subregion of North America and are organized into 27 territories including sovereign states, overseas departments, and dependencies. At one time, there was a short-lived country called the Federation of the West Indies composed of ten English-speaking Caribbean territories, all of which were then UK dependencies.

The Caribbean islands are an island chain 2,500 miles long and no more than 160 miles wide at any given point. They enclose the Caribbean Sea.
The region takes its name from that of the Carib, an ethnic group present in the Lesser Antilles and parts of adjacent South America at the time of European contact. In the English-speaking Caribbean, someone from the Caribbean is usually referred to as a "West Indian," although the phrase "Caribbean person" is sometimes used.





Capital - Caracas

Territory

The country comprises a continental mainland and numerous islands located off the Venezuelan coastline in the Caribbean Sea. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela possesses borders with Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada, St. Lucia, Barbados, Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and the Leeward Antilles lie just north, off the Venezuelan coast. Falling within the tropics, Venezuela sits close to the equator, in the Northern Hemisphere.

Venezuela is among the most urbanized countries in Latin America; the vast majority of Venezuelans live in the cities of the north, especially in the capital Caracas which is also the largest city. Other major cities include Maracaibo, Valencia, Maracay, Barquisimeto, Ciudad Guayana and the popular tourist city of Mérida. Venezuela is also home to a diversity of wildlife in a variety of protected habitats.

Climate

Although the country lies wholly within the tropics, its climate varies from tropical humid to alpine, depending on the elevation, topography, and the direction and intensity of prevailing winds. Seasonal variations are marked less by temperature than by rainfall. Most of the country has a distinct rainy season; the rainy period (May through November) is commonly referred to as winter and the remainder of the year as summer.

The country falls into four horizontal temperature zones based primarily on elevation. In the tropical zone--below 800 meters--temperatures are hot, with yearly averages ranging between 26° C and 28° C. The temperate zone ranges between 800 and 2,000 meters with averages from 12° C to 25° C; many of Venezuela's cities, including the capital, lie in this region. Colder conditions with temperatures from 9° C to 11° C are found in the cool zone between 2,000 and 3,000 meters.



Language and Population

The official language in Venezuela is Spanish. Population is about 21 million people and divided into 3 big ethnic groups – white (Spanish), mestizoes and mulattoes. The main nationalities and ethnic groups: 91% - Venezuelan, 3% - Columbian, 2% - Italians, 1% - Spanish, 1% - Indeans.



Religion

Freedom of religion in Venezuela is guaranteed by the constitution, although the vast majority of the people are at least nominally adherents of Roman Catholicism. Religious tolerance is generally observed. Various Protestant sects form the largest minority group, and there are small groups of Jews and Muslims. Some Indian peoples continue to practice their traditional religions, but many have converted to Catholicism, especially those in settlements clustered around riverside mission stations. The Roman Catholic Church is officially apolitical, but many priests and bishops have become involved in political events, some by espousing liberation theology and agitating for socioeconomic reforms, and others by reacting against liberal or radical government policies.

Currency

The local currency is the Bolivar. Many of the banks have ATMs, and the best ones are: Citibank, Banco Venezuela, Banco Provincial, Banco Union, and Banco Mercantil.

Entry requirements

To enter Venezuela, a valid passport from the country of origin is required, along with a visa - obtainable from consulates-, a tourist card, and a return ticket. No special vaccinations are required, although those traveling to the jungle should consult their physician as to whether or not they need protection from yellow fever and malaria.

Embassy

Embassy of Venezuela in Moscow: B. Katerniy, 13/15, tel.: 299-95-61; 299-40-42; 956-60-41; fax: 956-61-08
Russian embassy in Caracas: Quinta “Soyuz”, Calle Las Lomas, Las Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela, tel.: (8-10-582) 993-4395, 993-4531





Climate. Margarita enjoyed 344 days of sunshine in 2007, with over 94% of the days having 6hours of sun or more. There have been years when the island had no measurable rain for several months. The daytime temperature averages 30°C (86°F) and the nights are never below 20°C (68°F). Even in the summer months when the temperature rises slightly, the cooling breezes keep the climate very comfortable. A major selling point is that Isla Margarita is out of the hurricane belt making it a truly all year round leisure destination. Isla Margarita has no “traditional” rainy season. If the island is going to have some rain it is most likely to be in the middle of the summer or from the middle of November until the beginning of January. The rain falls mostly during the night and commonly doesn’t last more than a couple of hours. This basically means that the climate of the island is perfect if you are looking for a glorious sunny vacation. Tourists have travelled to Isla Margarita for the last 30 years and are met by white beaches, fringed coconut palms and a pleasant easterly breeze.

Porlamar is the largest city on Isla Margarita, Nueva Esparta State in Venezuela. It was founded on the southeast coast in 1536, less than 40 years after Christopher Columbus first sailed through. Porlamar was a quiet fishing village until the arrival of air travel. Since then, it has become the central hub of the island with shops, restaurants and nightlife supported mostly by European and Venezuelan tourism.

Porlamar holds about one-third of Margarita Island's population and it is also the island's center of commerce. Since it was granted free-port status in 1973, its boutique-lined avenues have been crowded with tourists. In the early 1990s the economic downfall of the oilprice hit also Porlamar. Other free ports in Venezuela offer now the same goods as the free port of Margarita Island.

Pampatar is a quaint and quite beautiful town, was founded in the 1530s and named after a Guaqueri Indian word meaning “town of salt”. Indeed, a salt flat mine is close by to this day. There is a lot of mystery and beauty to explore in this charming town, especially in the fine old colonial buildings. Spaniards settled here because of its strategic location, a deep water-calm port and wealth produced by the existence of a natural salt flat mine. Yachts, ships, and wooden boats are anchored in the quiet bay giving a picturesque contrast. Location: 10 Km east from Porlamar.

La Asuncion city, capital of Nueva Esparta estado (state), northeastern Venezuela. It is located on Margarita Island in the Caribbean Sea, 12 mi (19 km) off the mainland. Lying in a fertile inland valley in the eastern portion of the island, La Asunción was first settled by Spaniards in 1524. Its inland location provided some protection from pirate attacks. Testimony to its prosperity during the colonial era is borne by the many remaining colonial buildings, most notably the Castle of Santa Rosa and the cathedral. The city is the commercial and manufacturing centre of the valley, in which cotton, sugarcane, cassava, and coconuts are grown. The principal industries include cotton ginning, corn and sugar milling, and the distilling of the alcoholic liquor aguardiente. Porlamar, the principal port and largest settlement of the island, lies approximately 10 mi to the south. Population (2001) 23,000.

Juan Griego is a small but very famous town for only one thing: Its terrific sunshine! There's no better place to watch the sun falling down. Juan Griego is placed in a small bay with an old and tiny Spanish fort. It will be one of your favorite places for sure.

La Restinga is a beautiful national park, located at only 10 minutes from the Ferry terminal in Punta Piedras, at 15 minutes from the airport and half an hour from Porlamar.