Venezuela is divided into twenty-three states.
Amazonas
Amazonas State (Spanish: Estado Amazonas, IPA: [esˈtaðo amaˈsonas]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided.The state capital is Puerto Ayacucho. The capital until the early 1900s was San Fernando de Atabapo. Although named after the Amazon River, most of the state is drained by the Orinoco. Amazonas State covers a total surface area of 176,899 km² and, in 2007, had a population of 142,200.
Its density is of 0.8 inhabitants per km².
Amazonas has Venezuela’s highest proportion of indigenous peoples of Venezuela; these make up only around 1.5% of the population nationwide, but the proportion is nearly 50% in Amazonas.
Anzoátegui
Anzoátegui State (Spanish: Estado Anzoátegui, IPA: [esˈtaðo ansoˈateɣi]), is one of the 23 component states of Venezuela, located in the northeastern region of the country. Anzoátegui is well known for its beautiful beaches that attract many visitors. Its coast consists of a single beach approximately 100 km long. Its capital is the city of Barcelona, and significant cities include Puerto la Cruz and El Tigre.
Anzoátegui is located in the northeastern region of the country and is bordered by the states of Monagas and Sucre to the east, Bolivar to the south, Guarico to the west, Miranda to the northwest, and the Caribbean Sea to the north. Anzoátegui’s economy is dominated by Venezuela’s principal resource: oil. It houses the “Complejo Petroquímico de Jose”, one of the biggest petrochemical facilities in Latin America. However, Anzoátegui also has thriving fishing and tourism industries.
Apure
Apure State (Spanish: Estado Apure, IPA: [esˈtaðo aˈpuɾe]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. Its territory formed part of the provinces of Mérida, Maracaibo, and Barinas, in accordance with successive territorial ordinations pronounced by the colonial authorities. In 1824 the Department of Apure was created, under jurisdiction of Barinas, which laid the foundations for the current entity. In 1856 it separated from Barinas and for the first time Apure appeared as an independent province, which in 1864 acquired the status of state. In 1881, however, a new territorial division combined Apure and Guayana to form a single state named Bolívar. In 1899 it reestablished its autonomy and finally, by means of the Constitution of 1909, gained its current borders.
The territory was famous for heron plumes, which adorned European courts. At the same time, it was the scene of armed encounters that marked the evolution of the War for Independence, as well as numerous battles during the civil war. In the Apurean environs, Rómulo Gallegos was inspired to write his novel Doña Bárbara, which describes the magnitude of this land. The state capital is San Fernando de Apure.
The state of Apure is located to the southwest of Venezuela, positioned between 06º03’45’’ and 08º04’22’’ latitude North and 66º21’45’’ and 72º22’30’’ longitude West. It is bordered on the north by the states of Táchira, Barinas, and Guárico, on the east and southeast by the states of Bolívar and Amazonas and on the south and west by Colombia.
Aragua
Aragua State (Spanish: Estado Aragua, IPA: [esˈtaðo aˈɾaɣwa]) is located in the north-central region of Venezuela. It has plains and jungles and Caribbean beaches. The most popular are Cata and Choroni. It has Venezuela’s first national park which is called Henri Pittier.
The capital is Maracay, other important cities include Turmero and El Limon.Aragua State covers a total surface area of 7,014 km² and, based on the 2001 census information, the estimated population of Aragua State in 2007 is 1,665,200 inhabitants.
Aragua was also the name of a Venezuelan destroyer; it was the leader of the 3rd Destroyer Division and the first one of her own sub-class, among British built for Venezuela naval forces in the 1950s.
Aragua borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, with its coastline backed by the fast-rising central Cordillera mountain range. Codazzi Peak reaches over 2400 m above sea level. Much of the rest of the state is made up of fertile valleys used for intensive agriculture, apart from in the extreme south where the flats of the central Llanos region begin. On the western border is Lake Valencia. The main rivers in the state are the Aragua, the Guárico, the Limón, the Tuy, the Pao and the Turmero. They flow into the Caribbean Sea, Lake Valencia, or feed the vast Orinoco River network. The Camatagua reservoir is one of the main reservoirs supplying Caracas.
Barinas
Barinas State (Spanish: Estado Barinas, IPA: [esˈtaðo βaˈɾinas]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Barinas. Current President Hugo Chávez was born in this state. His brother Adán Chávez is the governor. Barinas State covers a total surface area of 35,200 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 756,600.
Bolívar
Bolívar State (Spanish: Estado Bolívar, IPA: [esˈtaðo βoˈliβar]), is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital city is Ciudad Bolívar. Bolívar State covers a total surface area of 238,000 km² and in June 30, 2010 had an estimated population of 1,620,359.
Carabobo
Carabobo State (Spanish: Estado Carabobo, IPA: [esˈtaðo kaɾaˈβoβo]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela, located in the north of the country, about two hours by car from Caracas. The capital city of this state is Valencia, which is also the country’s main industrial center. The state’s area is 4,650 km² and had an estimated population of 2,227,000 in 2007.[1]
Carabobo was the site of the Battle of Carabobo on June 24, 1821. This was a decisive win in the war of independence from Spain, and was led by Simón Bolívar.
Around 75% of the region is covered by mountains that make up part of Venezuela’s Coast Mountain Range. The highest peaks are found on the north and west of the state and south of the Valencia Lake. The Cobalongo or Caobal peak is the highest point of the state, at 1990 metres above sea level.There is a central low plain around the Valencia Lake and towards the south, where Venezuela’s Llanos start.
There is a large amount of anticlinals, synclinals, diaclases, fractures and faults. One of the most important is the one of the Victoria, south of Valencia. This area has moderate tectonic activity.Mountains are very steep; some slopes are over 80%. On the plains, slopes are less than 1%. In the Tocuyito area, slopes can reach 5%.There are a group of small islands near Puerto Cabello. The main ones are Isla Larga, Isla Santo Domingo, Isla Alcatraz and Isla del Rey. Isla Larga is the largest and is 1855 metres long. It makes part of the San Esteban National Park.
There are also a couple of islands on Lake Valencia. Some more have disappeared after the rise in sea level since the 1970s. Isla del Burro (“Donkey Island”) is the largest island of the lake.Carabobo’s soils are fertile. Entisole soils predominate (above all Fluvents and Orthents). There are also threats of vertisoles with suborders of Usterts.
Cojedes
Cojedes State (Spanish: Estado Cojedes, IPA: [esˈtaðo koˈxeðes]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is San Carlos. Cojedes State covers a total surface area of 14,800 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 300,300.
Delta Amacuro
Delta Amacuro State (Spanish: Estado Delta Amacuro, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈðelta amaˈkuɾo]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela, and is the location of the Orinoco Delta. The Paria Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean are found to the north, Bolívar State is found to the south, the Atlantic Ocean and Guyana are found to the east, and Monagas State is found to the west. The state capital city is Tucupita.
Delta Amacuro State covers a total surface area of 40,200 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 152,700. Child malnutrition has reached a level of 30 percent of the population under age five, according to United Nations statistics; this is the fraction of the child population classified as stunted or wasted.
The main economic activities are fishing, ranching and petroleum drilling and refinement. Mineral resources include petroleum and peat. Agricultural resources include corn, rice, cattle, pigs, birds, yucca, pineapple, and pine nuts.
There is some limited tourism in the area.
Falcón
Falcón State (Spanish: Estado Falcón, IPA: [esˈtaðo falˈkon]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Coro. Falcón State covers a total surface area of 24,800 km² and, in 2010, had an estimated population of 950,057.[1] The Paraguaná Peninsula is connected to the rest of the state by the Médanos Isthmus. The island of Aruba is 27 km off the northern coast of Paraguaná Peninsula. The other two ABC islands (Bonaire and Curaçao) are a little further off the coast of the state.
Venezuela Landscape Is Lush and Green
Guárico
Guárico State (Spanish: Estado Guárico, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈɣwaɾiko]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is San Juan de Los Morros. Guárico State covers a total surface area of 64 986 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 745,100.
Lara
Lara State (Spanish: Estado Lara, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈlaɾa]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. The state capital is Barquisimeto. Lara State covers a total surface area of 19,800 km2 (7,600 sq mi) and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 1,795,100.
Mérida
Mérida State (Spanish: Estado Mérida, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈmeɾiða]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is Mérida. Mérida State covers a total surface area of 11,300 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 843,800.
The climate is cold but in the relatively small area of Mérida state, there are usually several dramatic climatic changes that occur daily. The climate in Mérida city is between 19 °C and 20 °C, temperatures between 5 °C and 9 °C at El Bolivar Peak, or below zero when it snows and 28 °C in the El Vigía area. Its rains almost every late afternoon in January–February that is the coldest months an August–September and in August and September it often rains at night.
The vegetation is exuberant and there are many lakes and rivers, a great number of which are well stocked with trout, one of the delicacies of Mérida. The most important river in the state is the “Chama” because a large part of the water resources of Venezuela originates in the Mérida mountains. The state tree is the “Bucare” and the state flower is the “Frailejón” and in the “Coloradito” is found the tree at the highest altitude in the world. In this mountains habitat the “Oso Frontino” bear and the majestic Condor flies through the skies of the páramos and in the lagoons there are many trout.
Miranda
Miranda State (Spanish: Estado Miranda, IPA: [esˈtaðo miˈɾanda]) is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. It is ranked second in population among Venezuelan states, after Zulia State. In June 30, 2010, it had approximately 2,987,968 residents. It also has the greatest Human Development Index in Venezuela, according to the Venezuelan National Institute of Statistics. Miranda is also important center for political, economic, cultural and commercial activities. The state relies on a government of 21 municipal mayorships and one governor. Miranda State covers a total surface area of 7,950 km².
The Miranda State features a grotto in the area of Cúa (the “Betania sanctuary”, after Bethany, Israel), established by Maria Esperanza de Bianchini after what is believed to have been a vision of Virgin Mary, followed by several other apparitions of which she was the one and only witness. These apparitions led her to find a certain parcel of property in Venezuela that had a grotto of Our Lady and running water and establish the place as a site of Catholic pilgrimage.
Many locals believe that a Eucharistic miracle occurred at this site on December 8, 1991 during a celebration of Mass. The Miraculous Host, which was declared authentic by Bishop Pio Bello Richardo, currently retired, today is housed at the Chapel at the residence of the local Bishop, or Prelate, in Los Teques. Despite the huge number of believers and pilgrims however, many people believe it all was and is an ingenious hoax.
Monagas
Monagas State (Spanish: Estado Monagas, IPA: [esˈtaðo moˈnaɣas]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela.Monagas State covers a total surface area of 28,900 km² and, in June 30, 2010, had an estimated population of 908,626.Monagas State is surrounded by Sucre State in the north, Anzoátegui State in the west and south, Bolívar State in the south, Delta Amacuro State in the south and east and the Paria Gulf in the northeast.
The state is named after the general José Tadeo Monagas, native from this state, and his brother José Gregorio Monagas, native from the neighbor Anzoátegui State.
The capital of the state is Maturín.
The state has many plateaus and savannas located in the southwest. In the northeast and the southeast there are deltaic savannas in which rivers such as San Juan, Guanipa, Caño Mánamo, Río Tigre flow into. In the northwest there is a group of mountains belonged to the eastern mountain range. This mountain range is divided in two massifs: the massif of el Turimiquire (in which the town of San Antonio is located) and the massif of Caripe (in which the town of Caripe is located). Cerro Negro (2000 m.) is the highest mountain of Monagas State.
Nueva Esparta
Nueva Esparta State (Spanish: Estado Nueva Esparta, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈnweβa esˈparta]; ‘New Sparta’) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. It comprises Margarita Island, Coche, and the largely uninhabited Cubagua. The state is the smallest one in area, and is located off the northeast Caribbean coast of Venezuela. It is the only insular state of Venuezuela. Its name comes from the heroism shown by its inhabitants during the Venezuelan War of Independence, deemed similar to that of the Spartan soldiers of Ancient Greece.
The main island of Margarita alone has an area of 934 km². In 1909 the state was constituted and in 1947 the island of Cubagua was added. Its capital city is La Asunción, but the main urban center is Porlamar. Other important towns are Juan Griego, Pampatar (home of the Port Authority), Punta de Piedras, San Juan Bautista, Las Guevaras, Las Hernández, Villa Rosa, Bella Vista (Margarita), El Valle del Espíritu Santo. Nueva Esparta was also the name of a Destroyer Class, it was the leader of 1st Destroyer Division, a British built for Venezuela naval forces in the 50′s.
Portuguesa
Portuguesa State (Spanish: Estado Portuguesa, IPA: [esˈtaðo portuˈɣesa]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela.The state capital is Guanare, founded in 1591. Portuguesa State covers a total surface area of 15,200 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 873,400.
Sucre
Sucre State (Spanish: Estado Sucre, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈsukɾe]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is Cumaná. Sucre State covers a total surface area of 11,800 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 916,600.
Táchira
Táchira State (Spanish: Estado Táchira, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈtatʃiɾa]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is San Cristóbal.Táchira State covers a total surface area of 11,100 km² (4,290 mi²) and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 1,177,300. At the end of the 19th century, Táchira state was the place where oil was discovered in Venezuela.
It was exploited for many years. Currently, its main economic revenues come from the production of coffee and pineapple. The cattle and agricultural activities play an important role in Táchira’s economy. There is also a strong industrial sector which focuses on the processing of potato, sugar, milk, and cheese and the production of textiles. Táchira is one of the three Venezuelan Andean states (the other two are Mérida and Trujillo). This state borders with Zulia State in the north, Barinas and Mérida states in the East, Apure and Barinas states in the south and Colombia (Norte de Santander Department) in the west.
Táchira State is located in the Andes. Its highest point is La Montanha el Pulpito, which about 3995 meters above the sea level. Táchira’s population is mainly located in San Cristóbal is the most important and prosperous city of this state. Tariba, Rubio, Colon, La Grita are also other important urban centres for this state.
Trujillo
Trujillo State (Spanish: Estado Trujillo, IPA: [esˈtaðo tɾuˈxiʎo]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. Its capital is Trujillo. The state is divided into 20 municipalities and 93 parishes. Trujillo State covers a total surface area of 7,400 km² and, in 2007, had an estimated population of 711,400.
Vargas
Vargas State (Spanish: Estado Vargas, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈβarɣas]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. Named after Venezuela’s first non-military president, José María Vargas, Vargas comprises a coastal region in the north of Venezuela, bordering Aragua to the west, Miranda to the east, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Capital District to the south. It is home to both the country’s largest seaport and airport. The state capital is La Guaira.
In 1999, the geographic center of Vargas state suffered major floods and landslides, known as La Tragedia de Vargas (the Vargas Tragedy), causing major losses of life and property, and resulting in forced population movements including the virtual disappearance of some small towns. Thousands died, and many more fled the area to other states.
The geology of the state corresponds with the Coast Mountain range. It has as geologic limit, the fault of La Victoria, where the rocks of the Gran Caracas group arise, on the igneous-Metamorphico plinth of the Sebastopol Complex of the inferior Paleozoic. Also they are located the formation: Peña de Mora of the Mesozoic, the Migmático Complex of Todasana of the superior Cretaceous, the formation of Las Pailas del plioceno tardío, and the Abisina formation composed by sea sediments.
Yaracuy
Yaracuy State (Spanish: Estado Yaracuy, IPA: [esˈtaðo ʝaɾaˈkwi]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. It is bordered by Falcón in the north, in the west by Lara, in the south by Portuguesa and Cojedes and in the east by Cojedes and Carabobo. Its geography is mountainous: the Andes range ends there, and the Coastal Range begins. It is split by two mountainous systems, the Sierra de Aroa on the North and the Sierra de Nirgua. In between lays the agricultural land drained by the Yaracuy river. Most cities and towns are in this valley, including its capital San Felipe.
The economy of Yaracuy is mostly agricultural (sugar cane, corn, cattle raising). Some manufacturing can be found in Yaritagua area and Chivacoa, usually in agribusiness.
In recent years, Yaracuy had experienced some growth and social development under governor Lapi. In 2004, thanks to the Chavez landslide, Lapi was barely unseated by Carlos Gimenez, supported by Chavez political allies in the area. Since then, the economy has been in some turmoil as a considerable amount of land invasions by poor farmers in search of lands have created havoc within the agricultural system. In particular, the sugar cane production has plummeted. Carlos Gimenez was followed as governor by Julio León in 2008, after he was removed from power due to strong allegations of corruption.
Zulia
Zulia State (Spanish: Estado Zulia, IPA: [esˈtaðo ˈsulja]) is one of the 23 states of Venezuela. The state capital is Maracaibo. In June 30, 2010, it had an estimated population of 3,821,068, giving it the largest population among Venezuela’s states. It is located in the northwestern part of the country. It is also one of the few (if not the only one) states in Venezuela where voseo is widely used.
Zulia State is located northwest of Venezuela, around Maracaibo Lake. This lake is the largest water body of its kind in Latin America and its basin covers one of the largest oil and gas reserves in the Western hemisphere.Zulia is a large border state, separating Venezuela from Colombia in the east of the country. It is bordered to the northwest by the Guajira Peninsula and the Perija Mountains, to east by the states of Falcon and Lara, and to the south by the Andean Venezuelan states of Táchira, Mérida, and Trujillo, with Lake Maracaibo as a territorial state border.
Zulia is a territory that has brought huge wealth to the country due to its oil and mineral exploitation, but it is also one of the major agricultural areas of Venezuela, highlighting the region’s contribution in areas such as livestock, bananas, fruits, meat and milk, among others.
