Venezuela - Climate

Although Venezuela lies entirely within the torrid zone, generally there are four climatic regions, based mainly on altitude: tropical, up to 760 m (2,500 ft) in elevation; subtropical, from 760 to 1,830 m (2,500 to 6,000 ft); temperate, from 1,830 to 2,740 m (6,000 to 9,000 ft); and cold, above 2,740 m (9,000 ft). In the tropical region, including the cities of Maracaibo and Ciudad Bolívar, mean annual temperatures range from 24° to 35° C (75° to 95° F ). In the subtropical region, where Caracas is situated, the means range from 10° to 25° C (50° to 77° F ). In January, in Caracas, the average minimum and maximum temperatures are 15° C (59° F ) and 26° C (79° F ), respectively; the range in July is 17–26° C (63–79° F ). During the wet season (May to October), the llanos and forest areas are swampy, green, and lush. Upon the advent of the dry season, the same areas become dry, brown, and parched. There is perpetual snow on several peaks of the Cordillera de Mérida.