Colonia Tovar, Aragua (Venezuela)
The city of Tovar Colonia (La Colonia Tovar) is located in the state of Aragua, 60 km west of Caracas in a mountain valley at an altitude of 1700 m. It was founded in 1843 by German settlers. Colonia Tovar is fundamentally different from other settlements in Venezuela. Until the middle of the 20th century, the town was isolated, which allowed the descendants of the German colonists to preserve their culture. There is a European spirit everywhere here: most of the buildings are made in the German style, in numerous restaurants and cafes, the staff is dressed in traditional German costumes, and the dishes offered are mostly European. On weekends, Colonia Tovar is crowded with tourists, not only foreigners, but also residents Caracas, because the city is surrounded by picturesque mountains, and the climate here is conducive to relaxation – even on the hottest summer day, the air temperature does not rise above +22 degrees. The whole city can be explored on foot. In addition to German architecture, Kolonia Tovar is also interested in the City Museum, which tells about the history of the development of the city, restaurants with an abundance of traditional German dishes, and souvenir shops offering local handicrafts. From Colonia Tovar you can go hiking in the mountains surrounding the city. Between Colonia Tovar and Caracas lies the Macarao National Park. (Macarao National Park) with an area of 15 thousand hectares. It is designed to protect the natural world of the banks of the main water arteries in the vicinity of Caracas – the Macarao, San Pedro and Jarillo rivers, as well as the biodiversity of the coastal mountains. 263 bird species have been recorded in the park, 12 of which are endemic.
Maturin, Monagas (Venezuela)
According to CAMPINGSHIP, Maturin is the capital of the Monagas state. It is located in the northeastern part of Venezuela. This is an important transport hub in the eastern part of the country and one of its largest oil-producing centers. Maturin and the southeast city of Tucupita (both with airports) are the starting points for an exciting journey through the Orinoco Delta, also called the Amacuro Delta.
Orinoco is one of the longest rivers in South America, its length is about 2140 km. Approaching the Gulf of Paria, the riverbed is divided into hundreds of branches and forms one of the largest deltas in the world with an area of about 30 thousand square meters. km. Here you can see swamps, lagoons, canals, marches and mangroves. Within the Orinoco Delta, 1,300 species of plants grow and more than 350 species of birds (hoatzins, parrots, toucans, ibis, cassiques, cormorants, herons, falcons, eagles), about 120 species of mammals (cougars, jaguars, ocelots, monkeys, capybaras, giant otters, freshwater dolphins and manatees), many reptiles – anacondas, boas, iguanas, caimans, turtles; and 420 species of fish, including predatory piranhas. Excursions are mainly held on motor boats. In addition to the rich natural world, during the excursions you will visit the islands, where the Warao tribes (in translation – “canoe people”) have been living for several millennia. Representatives of the tribe live in huts built on stilts and having no walls, only a thatched roof, and move between the islands by canoe. The main occupations of the locals are fishing and hunting. In addition, tourists in the Orinoco Delta are invited to fish for piranhas. Since 1991, 3.3 thousand sq. km of the lower Orinoco Delta are protected 3 thousand sq. km of the lower Orinoco Delta are protected 3 thousand sq. km of the lower Orinoco Delta are protected Turuepano National Park, which is one of the country’s most important protected areas for waterfowl.
Ciudad Bolivar, Bolivar (Venezuela)
Ciudad Bolivar is the administrative center of the largest Venezuelan state, Bolivar state. The city stands on the right bank of the Orinoco River. It was named after the national hero – Simon Bolivar, because at the beginning of the 19th century it became one of the centers of the struggle for independence from the Spanish colonization.
In the historical part of Ciudad Bolívar, surrounding Plaza Bolívar, colonial buildings are well preserved, among which is the house of San Isidro 18th century with a picturesque park where Simon Bolivar stopped more than once (now it is a museum that tells about the life of colonial times), the Cathedral of the 19th century, the building of the former prison and the old Governor’s House. Also of interest are the bridge over the Orinoco River and the Museum of Modern Art with a collection of sculptures. The restored aircraft of James Angel, who in 1937 opened the Angel Falls to the world, is presented at the city’s airport.
Ciudad Bolívar – the main “transshipment” point on the way to the Guiana Highlands, which extends in the southeastern part of the country. The Orinoco River originates in the Guiana Highlands. These places are famous for their mesas, which are called “tepui” in the language of the Indians. From one of these mountains – Auyan-Tepui – falls the highest waterfall in the world – Angel. All these beauties are protected by the Canaima National Park.
