Venezuela's capital, founded in 1567 by Diego de Losada, has one of most dramatic settings among South American cities. It sits about 3000 feet above sea level in a long valley that stretches from east to west. On one side of the valley are the uninhabited emerald slopes of Avila National Park; on the other, the rugged and heavily settled hills of the southern suburbs. The slopes of the Park rise above the city like immense green wave, forever on the verge of breaking. The elevation and proximity the ocean (about 15km to the north) combine to give Caracas almost unbeatable weather.

In recent decades, especially during oil booms of the 1970s and 80s, Caracas has seen unprecedented growth. Many of the original colonial buildings were replaced by gleaming modern skyscrapers, although there are still historic jewels to be found within the modern shadows. A majority of the cultural and architectural attractions can be found in the area immediately surrounding Plaza Bolivar, the city center.

Those wishing to explore the areas immediately around the city will be well-rewarded. The omnipresent Avila National Park offers incredible views of both Caracas and the nearby coast, which is also worth an excursion.

The capital of Venezuela is a huge, vibrant, energetic South American city: tremendously wealthy and desperately poor. In Caracas, gravity is defied by the city's skyscrapers and the teetering shantytowns that cover the hills around it.

A combination of earthquake and the rush towards modernisation that followed in the wake of the oil rush has obliterated much of the city's colonial architecture, but there are still some pockets that reveal the past. Museums, art galleries and parks fill out the list of attractions.

Weather  
Venezuela has a subtropical climate. The average temperature is 27C, except in the Andean Zone, where temperatures can drop to zero degrees Celsius at the highest altitudes. Throughout the rest of the country temperatures vary little, between a minimum of 22C to a maximum of 32C. Caracas has an average temperature of 24C.

There are no four seasons here, only the Wet Season and the Dry Season. The Wet Season lasts from May to November, the Dry from December to April. Daily rains come fast and hard, then dissipate quickly. Venezuela has an average about 340 days of sunshine a year.

Transportation
Air:  International and domestic flights arrive at Simon Bolivar National Terminal, about 20 minutes from Caracas. Major carriers servicing the airport are: Aerolineas Argentinas, Aeroperu, Air Aruba, Air France, Alitalia, ALM, American Airlines, Avianca, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lan Chile, Lloyd Aero Boliviano, Saeta, TAP, United, Varig, Delta, Continental, Avensa, Servivensa, and Aeropostal.
Medical Facilities
In the case of an emergency, it is best to avoid the public hospitals, as they have fewer resources and often lack necessary equipment. It is important to carry a credit card, cash, or checks to facilitate admission into the private hospitals and clinics. Pharmacies are open during the day, and during the evenings and public holidays look for ones that say "Turno."