Rivers & Other Bodies of Water Near Venezuela
Dominating South America's northern coast on the Caribbean Sea, Venezuela is a country of more than 26 million people. A country's whose forbidding interior remains largely unexplored, it has long relied on its bodies of water for transportation, sustenance and, more recently, the economic boons of petroleum and tourism. As breathtaking as they are, Venezuelan aquatic wonders such as Angel Falls and Canaima Falls pale in overall importance to the country's major bodies of water.
Caribbean Sea
With the largest population centers strung along its northern coastline, Venezuela's relationship with the Caribbean Sea could be described as vital. Dependent on the sea for everything from oil and transportation to fishing and tourism, Venezuela would not be as economically independent without its Caribbean Coast. Pristine tropical islands of extreme biodiversity lay off the country's 1,700-mile shoreline. A major oil-producing nation, Venezuela relies on the Caribbean Sea as an avenue for shipping its largest export to other nations as well as importing consumer goods.
Orinoco River
One of the world's longest rivers, the actual length of the undammed Orinoco is a matter of some dispute but typically is placed between 1,300 and 1,700 miles. Regardless of actual length, the Orinoco is certainly the third-largest river in South America behind only the Amazon and Parana rivers, draining Venezuela and much of Colombia through its tributaries. Flooding much of its basin during Venezuela's wet season, the Orinoco is 24 miles across at its widest point and produces the third-greatest flow volume in the world, after the Amazon and Congo rivers.
Lake Maracaibo
Often considered South America's largest lake, Lake Maracaibo is really more a brackish inlet of the Caribbean Sea or a large lagoon. Tidal saltwater flows in through a narrow strait and mixes with the freshwater of several rivers that feed into the lake basin. Maracaibo, the second-largest city in Venezuela, straddles the strait and sprawls across the northern shores of the eponymous lake. Home to some of Venezuela's most productive oil fields, Lake Maracaibo suffers from considerable industrial pollution.
Lake Valencia
Although often considered the third-largest lake in Venezuela, Lake Valencia actually is the largest natural freshwater lake in the country. Located in the north-central part of the country, the lake is nestled between the picturesque mountain ranges of the Cordillera de la Costa and the Serrania del Interior. Unfortunately, waste water from the surrounding urban areas, such as Maracay, as well as agricultural and industrial byproducts have dramatically decreased Lake Valencia's water quality. Eutrophication and salination have resulted, dramatically decreasing tourist and recreational opportunities on the lake.