Located on the northern coast of South America, Venezuela borders Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south, and Colombia to the west. A number of islands including Curaçao and Aruba—as well as Venezuela’s own islands—lie north of the mainland, in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

The nation’s first settlers came from Brazil, Guyana, and Antillas. Their different cultural and religious backgrounds created a diversity still apparent in modern Venezuelan customs, culinary specialties, and folk culture. Venezuelans now number approximately 22 million and are known for their easy-going nature and fun-loving spirit.

Venezuela is famous for its rich landscape including tropical forests, beautiful white sand beaches, the grassland plains of the Llanos, and the world’s highest waterfall at Angel Falls. The country is also one of the most biodiverse in the world, home to an amazing array of mammals, reptiles, birds, and plants.