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Venezuelan Caribbean |
Venezuela
claims 1,750
miles of Caribbean coastline and 72 islands in the Caribbean.
The tropical Central Coast has mountainous cloud forest and lowland
jungle. Henri Pittier National Park is home to an astonishing
array of tropical flora and fauna and is a bird
lovers paradise. The Park is located in the migratory
route for hundreds of thousands of birds and insects, including
butterflies. Monkeys, ocelots, bats, frogs, snakes, armadillos,
and deer thrive in the humid broadleaf forest environment rising
from sea level to 4,200 feet. A two-hour drive from Caracas, the
city of Maracay serves as the gateway for excursions into the
nearby park with comfortable hotel accommodations located just
on the edge of town.
Scuba
divers and snorkelers will find plenty of places
to enjoy their hobby on the islands of Los Roques, La Blanquilla,
Tortuga, Los Testigos, Morrocoy and Mochima. Just 90 miles north
of Caracas, Los Roques covers 546,166 acres of small flat islands
with white sand, mangroves, and turquoise water. The edge of
the archipelago is surrounded by live, fringing reef that protects
its warm and shallow interior while trade winds cool its beaches.
Some of the best bonefishing occurs here. Since the entire ecosystem
is protected from destruction and overharvesting by the National
Park system, this last great Caribbean sanctuary will remain
healthy for generations to come.
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