Venezuela

Diverse wildlife and flora-rich ecosystems make Venezuela a land of exceptional natural beauty and dramatic contrasts. Birthplace of South America's liberator, Simón Bolívar, the country's name - Little Venice - came from Spanish navigators who were reminded of Venetian waterways when they observed Indian stilt houses on Lake Maracaibo. Three times the size of New Mexico, Venezuela is home to 24 million people, and until the early 1990's, it was one of Latin America's wealthiest nations due to its oil reserves.

Boasting the world's longest Caribbean coast, a 1,750 mile-long paradise of aquamarine waters, white sand cays and dense mangrove thickets, the coast is an excellent destination for birdwatching, snorkeling or simply relaxing under the sun. Margarita, largest of the country's 72 islands, is the most popular and commercial beach resort. Morrocoy Park, west of the capital Caracas, and the 350 atolls of Los Roques offer the most pristine beaches.

The surreal landscapes of the Gran Sabana are the country's most stunning. More than 100 flat-topped mountains, or tepuis, tower nearly a mile above the surrounding savannahs and tropical forests. The black, lichen-encrusted sandstone summits of these imposing mesas are carved into bizarre natural sculptures. Mount Roraima and Angel Falls are the region's most notable attractions. Further south, the tropical forests of the Orinoco River and Amazon Basin are home to native Indian groups like the Yanomami.

Mérida, gateway to the Andean peaks of Sierra Nevada Park, is the only place in Venezuela where snow can be seen. The country's highest mountain, Pico Bolívar, looms over the city at 16,430', and the area's lush green valleys and unique high páramo are dotted with friendly, traditional villages and tranquil glacial lakes - an ideal setting for trekking and biking.

The Llanos, extensive plains that cover nearly one third of the country, have an annual cycle of flood and drought that has resulted in an unmatched concentration of flora and fauna similar to that of Brazil's Pantanal. Vast local ranches, or hatos, serve as a comfortable base for wildlife viewing excursions into this remarkable ecosystem.