NEWS: Venezuela’s Resource Curse

Location & Geopolitical Setting 

• Venezuela is located on the northern coast of South America
• It has a strategic maritime position facing: Caribbean Sea, Atlantic Ocean

Bordering Countries

• East – Guyana
• South – Brazil
• West & Southwest – Colombia

Capital City

• Capital: Caracas
• Located in the coastal mountain region

 Physical Geography of Venezuela 

• Venezuela has high geographical diversity, divided into four major physiographic regions

Major Physiographic Divisions

• Andes Mountains & Maracaibo Lowlands (North-West)
• Andes Mountains extend into northwestern Venezuela
• The region includes: Mountain ranges, Inter-mountain valleys, Lake Maracaibo Basin located here
• Importance: Tectonically active region, Rich in oil reserves

Drainage System of Venezuela Major Rivers

Orinoco

• One of the longest rivers in South America
• Shared with Colombia
• Forms a vast river basin
• Drains into the Atlantic Ocean

Rio Negro

• Shared with: Colombia, Brazil, Tributary of the Amazon system
• Natural Resources of Venezuela
• Venezuela is extremely resource-rich.

Major Resources

World’s largest proven oil reservesàCoal, Iron ore, Bauxite, Gold