Venezuela’s Northeastern Region: Anzoátegui, Monagas, Sucre
Northeastern Region of Venezuela
The Northeast region is one of the 10 political-administrative regions of Venezuela, and is formed by the states of Anzoátegui, Monagas, and Sucre.
Limits
It is bordered on the north by the Caribbean Sea and the island region, on the south by the State of Bolivar, on the east by the State of Delta Amacuro and the Gulf of Paria, and on the west by the states of Miranda and Guárico.
Population
The population of the northeastern region is 3,316,182 inhabitants (2008), which represents 12% of the national population. It is distributed in an area of 84,000 km² (9.2% of the country), determining a population density equal to 39.5 inhabitants per km².
Relief
This region has distinct geographical areas. In the north, the terrain is dominated by mountain ranges, consisting of low ranks modeled by metamorphic rocks, mainly schists, phyllites, marbles, and quartzites. It is characterized by a very steep northern slope, while the south is milder. The northeast is mostly flat, with a coastal plain on the Caribbean Sea, and to the southeast, the river plain of the Rio Orinoco.
Climate
The climate in this region is hot, except for the mountainous area of Caripe, where temperatures are milder. In this area, the vegetation consists of forests and cloud tropophyllous.
In the plains, the climate is typical savannah, with vegetation of grasslands and chaparral. Rainfall is variable and increases towards the west side of the region.
Hydrography
This region has abundant surface water and groundwater. Rivers from the continental area drain into the Caribbean Sea Basin, including the Santa Fe, Murucual, Barbecues, Guaranache, and Colorado rivers. In the northern part of the Northeastern region is a complex karst system, with abundant underground streams, caverns, and caves. Among these stands out Guácharo Cave, located in the Guácharo National Park (shared with Sucre). This is a large cavern, 10 km in length, inhabited by nocturnal birds (Oilbirds), with extraordinary formations of stalactites and stalagmites, and unique flora and fauna.
Tourism
The Northeast region stands out as one of the most promising tourism destinations in the country, with great development potential. It has a wide range of natural attractions, thanks to its geographical diversity, allowing for tourism products that combine plains, beaches, jungles, and mountains. It also possesses a rich culture expressed in numerous cultural, artistic, and intellectual forms.
The most important tourist areas in this region are:
- The coast of Sucre and Anzoátegui states has high coasts with little-developed beaches in sandy bays, inlets, and gulfs. The coastline that stretches from El Morro de Barcelona to Boca de Uchire consists of lagoons rich in aquatic fauna and wide sandy beaches.
- The mountainous area is formed by the Serrania del Interior Oriental. It is characterized by lush vegetation, highlighting the karst formations, such as Guácharo Cave. Therefore, it is of great interest for tourists and for the development of a tourism circuit from the axis generated by the contact of western plains and mountains, which can integrate and obtain the various resources.
Regional Economic Potential
The Northeast region has a varied economy, characterized by agricultural production and the extraction of hydrocarbons.
Agricultural activity historically played a key role in the region, especially the production of cocoa and coffee in Sucre, as well as snuff and citrus fruits.
The emergence of oil now moves farming, as new growth areas around the oil, especially in southern and central Monagas and Anzoátegui. However, agricultural activities are maintained with the inclusion of new agro-industrial crops such as peanuts, sorghum, sunflower, and the cultivation of pine for paper pulp.