7 CONSEQUENCES OF THE GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION OF VENEZUELA - ENVIRONMENT - 2024

The consequences of the geographical position of Venezuela are political, social, economic, military, energy and other areas. In general, the geographical position of a country is a very important factor for its development. The proximity to the more developed nations, access to markets and energy resources are advantages that favor the growth of the countries.

A geographical position can have both advantages and disadvantages, and these can be classified depending on the type in question. There are economic, political, climatological, military, energy advantages, etc.

The location of Venezuela in the world is undoubtedly a point in its favor. There are many more advantages than disadvantages, which are detailed below in this article.

The geographical position is a consequence of the movement of tectonic plates, and is related to the natural resources that can be used.

For Venezuela, the fact of having a benign climate throughout the year and a diversity of resources such as few nations in the world can enjoy has been especially beneficial.

What are the consequences of the geographical location of Venezuela?

Location of Venezuela in the world

Venezuela is located in the American continent, north of South America, in the middle of the intertropical zone. Its surface area covers 912,050 km² and its coastline is 4,006 km. It has a population of approximately 30,000,000 inhabitants.

Due to its geographical position, located south of the Caribbean Sea, it has relatively close access to the Panama Canal, which in turn allows access to the Pacific Ocean; It has an Atlantic facade that allows access to Europe and Africa, and is equidistant from the most extreme points of the American continent, such as Argentina and Canada.

As a consequence of its geological formation, Venezuela has part of the massifs that are Precambrian formations, the oldest on the planet, of great beauty and tourist attraction.

Unlike other continents where access to goods and services occurs on the east-west axis, in South America access is to the north and south. Since Venezuela is equidistant from both extremes, the exchange of products becomes easier.

Political consequences

Venezuela, as a country with immense energy wealth, has exerted its influence on its environment, especially in the smaller countries. Thirteen countries border Venezuela by sea.

Venezuela has created the association called Petrocaribe, which supplies oil to the countries of the Antilles at very advantageous prices and with payment facilities. This is translated into votes in favor in the assemblies of nations (OAS, UN).

Economic consequences

The location of Venezuela places it in several sedimentary basins that are the source of rich hydrocarbon deposits. This has been, particularly in recent years, the main engine of the national economy.

Due to its relative proximity to the European continent and even more so to the United States, it has advantages in terms of the import and export of products, taking advantage of its great extension of coasts that allow the use of the sea route, which is the most economical for exchange. of merchandise.

Through the Panama Canal we proceed to trade with China and Japan. This facilitates oil exports and increased foreign exchange earnings.

Military consequences

The wide Venezuelan coasts make it strategically vulnerable, since it is not easy to guard every entrance to the country, allowing the entry of illegal trade and drug trafficking.

The border with Colombia is very permeable and with a rugged orography that makes it difficult to control. With Brazil, the border is mostly jungle, south of the states of Bolívar and Amazonas, leaving the passage through Santa Elena de Uairén as the main point of exchange.

Venezuela has an extension of territorial sea almost as large as its land surface, which places it as an influential power in the Caribbean Sea. But in turn this requires an important resource for the custody of it.

Energy consequences

Venezuela has large reserves of gas, oil, heavy minerals, as well as hydrographic basins with great energy potential.

Wind energy has taken on importance in recent years as a strategy to increase electrical energy production.

The Caroni River basin allowed the construction of hydrological complexes that produced up to 70% of the electrical energy consumed in the nation.

Cultural consequences

During the great world wars, Venezuela - because of its position - has been a preferred destination for waves of immigration of people fleeing the world wars.

Additionally, its proximity to the United States makes it sensitive to the cultural influences of that country much more than the rest of South America.

Climatic consequences

Venezuela's privileged position, just south of the Caribbean Sea, protects it from most of the undesirable weather events in the area, such as hurricanes and tornadoes.

Because it is located before the tectonic plates of the Atlantic, the possibilities of tsunamis in the event of marine earthquakes are minimal, compared to countries that have their coasts in the Pacific Ocean.

Throughout the year Venezuela has a mild climate. The seasons of the Nordic or southern countries are lacking, having a temperature and level of rainfall normally regular during the twelve months.

Because it is located in the intertropical zone, temperatures in Venezuela depend more on altitude than latitude, as in other regions.

This comfortable temperature avoids excessive energy expenditure in winters, although it increases the energy consumption of refrigeration equipment.

In this intertropical zone, the days and nights have more or less the same duration and only vary slightly one hour throughout the year, which avoids the inconvenience of time changes and adaptation.

Venezuela is one of the 17 countries declared megadiverse, thanks to its abundant variety of fauna and flora throughout its extensive geography.

It is one of the few countries that can have such opposite environments as deserts, jungles, snowy mountains and savannas.

Its climate and vast coastline make it an indisputable tourist attraction throughout the year.

References

1. Geographical position of Venezuela. Recovered from: www.geografiadevenezuela2008.blogspot.com
2. Geographical and Astronomical Position of Venezuela. Recovered from: www.petiongeografiadevenezuela.blogspot.com
3. Geographical position of Venezuela. Recovered from: www.clubensayos.com
4. Venezuelan Geopolitics. Recovered from: www.edugn.mil.ve
5. Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Recovered from: www.fao.org