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Climate: Although the country lies wholly within the tropics, its climate varies from tropical humid to alpine, depending on the elevation, topography, and the direction and intensity of prevailing winds. Seasonal variations are marked less by temperature than by rainfall. Most of the country has a distinct rainy season; the rainy period (May through November) is commonly referred to as winter and the remainder of the year as summer.
The country falls into four horizontal temperature zones based primarily on elevation. In the tropical zone--below 800 meters--temperatures are hot, with yearly averages ranging between 26º C and 28º C. The temperate zone ranges between 800 and 2,000 meters with averages from 12º C to 25º C; many of Venezuela's cities, including the capital, lie in this region. Colder conditions with temperatures from 9º C to 11º C are found in the cool zone between 2,000 and 3,000 meters. Pastureland and permanent snowfield with yearly averages below 8º C cover land above 3,000 in the high mountain areas known as the páramos.
Average yearly rainfall amounts in the lowlands and plains range from a semiarid 430 millimeters in the western part of the Caribbean coastal areas to around 1,000 millimeters in the Orinoco Delta. Rainfall in mountainous areas varies considerably; sheltered valleys receive little rain, but slopes exposed to the northeast trade winds experience heavy rainfall. Caracas averages 750 millimeters of precipitation annually, more than half of it falling from June through August.
Yahoo weather forecast for cities in Venezuela.
Coordinates: 8 00 N, 66 00 W
Currency: The official currency is is the Bolivar. Need exchange rates? Try our currency converter.
Economy: The petroleum sector dominates the economy, accounting for roughly a third of GDP, around 80% of export earnings, and more than half of government operating revenues. Venezuelan officials estimate that GDP grew by 2.7% in 2001. A strong rebound in international oil prices fueled the recovery from the steep recession in 1999. Nevertheless, a weak nonoil sector and capital flight - and a temporary fall in oil prices - undercut the recovery.
Electricity: 110 volts AC, 60Hz; American-style two-pin plugs.
Official Language: Spanish. You will also encounter numerous indigenous dialects.
Political Status: Federal Republic.
Population: 24,287,670 (July 2002 est.)
Time: The Standard Time in Venezuela is 4 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-4).
Venezuela does not operate Daylight-Saving Time.