The Plains

 

The Venezuelan Plains (Llanos) are located in the country central depression, having the Andes and the Coastal Mountain Range by one side and the Guayana Massif by the other. This wide region extends from the Andes foothills to the Atlantic Ocean through the lowlands of the Orinoco Delta, covering about one third of the Venezuelan territory.

Due to geomorphologic reasons, Venezuelan Llanos are subdivided into four regions: the Eastern Llanos of Anzoátegui and Monagas states (39,900 sq. Kms.) with a predominating relief of mesas; the Central Llanos of Guarico and Cojedes (71,400 sq. Kms.) with their rises and hills: the Western Llanos of Portuguesa and Barinas (51,200 sq. Kms.) with a flat topography and more-or-less channeled rivers; and the southern Llanos of Apure ( 74,500 sq. Kms.) mainly characterized by floods occurring during the rainy season and where rivers and bayous show wandering courses.

As far as climate is concerned, even though temperatures are high and relatively constant all year long, by contrast, rainfall is remarkably seasonal. There is a rainy period from May to October during which floods occurs, transforming the savanna into a true sea, to the point that very often cattle have to look for food literally ¨ in deep water ¨.

There is also a dry season, from December to March, during which one can say that not even a raindrop falls. April is considered to be the beginning of the rainy season since it is usually during this month that the first rain falls.

Venezuelan Llanos show a totally different look depending on the period of the year. It is possible that a tourist who visits Apure in ¨winter¨ will not be able to recognize the same area in ¨summer¨: he will deem impossible that such luxuriant greens and blues may become pale yellow and earth - colored.

Location: Center, southwest and southeast of Venezuela.

States: Guarico, Apure and Barinas.

Apure State: Area: 76.500 sq. Kms.

Capital: San Fernando (Official government census 1.990: 72.216 ih.).

Population: 285.412 ih. (Official government census 1.990).

Relief: Alluvial plains. Seasonal floods during the rainy season.

Hydrography: Dense fluvial net, the rivers: Apure, Orinoco, Apurito,

Arauca, Capanaparo, Meta, Cinaruco y Sanare, permitting fluvial port,navigable and fishing activities.

Climate: Hot .Marked seasonal. Temperature average 27º C. Rainy annual average 1.533 mm.

Vegetation: Typical of tropical savannas with pluviometric seasonal.

Barinas State: Area: 35.200 sq. Kms.

Capital: Barinas (Official government census 1.990: 153.630 ih.).

Population: 424.491 ih. (Official government census 1.990).

Relief: It is principally plain, at the west of the state to be situated the

Sierra Nevada National Park belonging at the Andes Range.

Hydrography: Belong at the Orinoco wooden bowl. The principal rivers:

Guanare, Masparro, Santo Domingo, the Anaco, Caparo y Suripá.

Climate: Hot temperature .Marked seasonal. Temperature averages 27º C.

Rainy annual average 1.533 mm.

Vegetation: It is savannas: Higrófila - Tropófila and Tropófilas jungles,

The more important is the Ticoporo Jungle.

Guárico State: Area: 64.986 sq. Kms.

Capital: San Juan de los Morros (Official government census 1.990: 67.791 ih.).

Population: 488.623 ih. (Official government census 1.990).

Relief: It is principally plain, in the northeast Coastal Range.

Hydrography: Orinoco river wooden bowl: Tiznados, Guárico and Suata rivers.

Climate: Warm, the rainy season is from May to October. Temperature averages 26º C. Rainy annual average between 500 - 1.000 mm.

Vegetation: It is savanna higrófilas y tropófilas.

Ecotourism & Adventure

Highlights:

Aguaro - Guariquito National Park (Guárico State).

Hato Terecay (Guárico State).

Mochima National Park (Anzoátegui State).

Hato El Frío & Hato San Leonardo (Apure State).

Cinaruco Bass Lodge & Hato San Leonardo (Apure State).

Ecotourism & Adventure

Activities: Natural History Tours. Birdwatching. Nature Photography Workshops. Photo Safaris. Sea Kayaking. Caving. Canoeing. Fishing. Biking Tours. Trekking. Overland Tours. Scientific Expeditions & Tours. Cultural Tours. Helicopter Tours. Peacock Bass Fishing.

Venezuela´s Eco Regions (15)