Venezuela is one such country which is famous for quite a few reasons. It is known for being the largest exporters of oil, its beauty queens, and the Venezuelan food. Apart from this, for those who are travel and nature enthusiasts, the Angel Falls comes as the most fascinating part. The waterfalls are known as Angel Falls since the mid-20th century. It is named after a U.S. aviator Jimmie Angel, who was the first person to fly over the falls.
Famous as the highest waterfall in the world, the cascade drops 3212 feet and is 500 feet wide at the base. It vaults from a flat-topped plateau Auyan-Tepui meaning “Devils Mountain”. The falls are situated in Canaima National Park. A dense jungle surrounds the falls, so the best vision of it is from the air.
It is believed that the falls were sighted first by some outsiders in the 1930s. The aviator is said to have crash-landed his plane on a nearby hill. Along the Caribbean coast of Venezuela are the tropical resort islands, namely, Isla de Margarita, and Los Roques Archipelago. To the northwest side are the Andes Mountains, the colonial town of Merida. It is a base for touring Sierra Nevada National Park.
Cultural & Historical Importance:
The Pemon Indians (indigenous people living in Venezuela, Brazil, and Guyana) call Angel Falls Kerepakupai Meru. It means the leap from the deepest place. At present, the Pemon Indians often play the role of tour guides for people who wish to visit the waterfall. A major landmark would be the Canaima National Park as the waterfalls are located there. It is believed that an evil spirit is angrily thrusting the water over the edge of the high cliff.
In 2009, the President of Venezuela Hugo Chavez declared that the falls should only be addressed as Kerepakupai Meru in respect of Pemon residents. According to ancient history, in 1910, Sanchez La Cruz was on a mission. The mission was for the Venezuelan government to decide on the boundaries of Canaima. He was the first non-indigenous person to make an official report that the falls existed.
Top 10 Facts about Angel Falls:
- Angel Falls is a part of the Orinoco River System: Angel Falls is a tributary of the Carrao River, which is itself a part of Venezuela’s Orinoco River System. At 2,250 kilometers the Orinoco River is one of the longest rivers in South America.
- Rainy Season is the best time to Visit: To visit the Angel Falls you will have to fly to Canaima National Park. The road ahead is by boat. To witness the falls in full flow, the best time to visit is from June to December.
- Known by more names: Angel Falls is also known by the names Salto Angel and Kerepakupai-meru. The latter is the indigenous name derived from the Pemon native language. It means falls from the deepest place.
- Home to Pemon indigenous people: The area surrounding the Angel Falls is home to the Pemon indigenous people. These people have lived in the region for centuries and contemplate the place as sacred.
- A paradise for hiking enthusiasts: Mountain climbers who wish to climb up the waterfall tend to reach the falls with the help of a guided tour. These guided tours to the falls consist of tough terrains and going through dense rainforests and rivers. The risk of camping in the wilderness prevails at all times.
- Formation of the Falls: The falls were formed more than 200 million years ago during the time of the supercontinent. According to experts, 70 million years ago a tectonic activity began to lift the area. It created a Guiana shield. The upliftment caused huge layers of rock to fracture and form canyons. These canyons were the Angel Falls.
- Longest Uninterrupted Falls: These falls consist of a series of other waterfalls and drops. The longest uninterrupted descent measures about 807 meters.
- A refreshing spray of Water: Angel Falls has wide lagoons and Jacuzzi-shaped pools. It helps the tourists to cool off a bit. The lagoons and pools shed cool sprays of water over the faces of tourists that make them feel fresh and less lethargic.
- Surroundings are also home to Flora and Fauna: The area around the falls is rich in Flora and Fauna species. Some flora and fauna species here include bromeliads, capuchin monkeys, giant armadillos, orchids, and jaguars.
Dishes to try in Venezuela:
Venezuela is the most loved part of Northern South America. Not only due to its rich history and culture but also due to its cuisines. The food that the city offers is too enticing for a food-obsessed traveler. This food is vibrant and diverse. The European influences from Spain, Portugal, France, and Italy with the combination of West African and Native American culture and traditions, the food is a magical adventure.
Here we highlight the best dishes to try in Venezuela:
- Tequenos (Venezuelan Cheese Sticks):
In the Venezuelan culture, no event is complete without this dish. It is simple and easy to find everywhere. It is a popular appetizer in restaurants. It has roots in Los Teques a popular vacation destination for the rich population.
- Pan De Jamon (Ham Bread):
A traditional Christmas special dish of the Venezuelans. As it is made only on Christmas, it can be a bit tough to catch hold of this food item. If you’re a traveler and are in the Venezuelan local market during the festive season, you’ll find all the needed ingredients in the market in plenty to make this dish. Families line up in the local markets to buy the required items and relish them at dinner time.
- Pabellon Criollo (National Dish of Venezuela):
The Pabellon Criollo is basically shredded beef with black beans. This dish is a tribute to three Venezuelan cultures. The indigenous community is represented in the juicy beef, the black beans showcase the country’s African culture, and the white rice represents Venezuela’s provincial history.
- Cachapa (Corn Pancakes):
A popular street food you’ll find amazing. Cachapa is a traditional Venezuelan dish that has existed for centuries now. The recipe has changed a bit over time and is a thin pancake made from corn dough and extra kennels. Cachapas are often filled with queso de mano that creates a crunchy outer layer and a soft internal layer. It enhances the taste with a chunk of butter or cream on top.
- Dulce De Leche:
As we’ve covered some traditional dishes, let’s dive into the sweetness of desserts. Dulce De Leche isn’t found outside of Latin America. The sweet, caramel-like texture will make even the most basic treat feel like a splash of heaven. It is easy to make at home too. All you need to do is heat condensed milk until it gets thick and turns brown. It becomes a caramel sauce. It can easily be applied on the morning toast for breakfast, to get a sugar run in the morning.
Is Venezuela Worth the Visit?
For a few years, Venezuela has faced a lot of widespread allegations like unrest situations, political instability, and an unstable economy. Despite that, many local travel companies recommend a visit to Venezuela. The safe areas for travelers are Altamira in Caracas, Las Piedras, Canaima National Park, and Valencia. All in all, if you’ve come this far reading this article, you’d have imagined the food descriptions, and nature descriptions and thought of visiting the place at least once. Haven’t you?
