Friday, October 7, 2016

Regional Climate

The first geographical setting of Gran Sabana, Venezuela that we will explore is the climate. Gran Sabana has a notably diverse environment heavily influenced by the effects of latitude. Venezuela is located in the tropics almost directly on the equator which gives it a 90º angle of incidence. As a result, the region experiences little temperature change throughout the seasons despite having several temperature zones that range from tropical to polar. This dramatic fluctuation in temperature is primarily the result of elevation change throughout the country.


The charts below illustrate the climate zones found throughout Gran Sabana and the average yearly temperature at the equator. You’ll notice, because of the latitude, there is little change in temperature throughout the year, but with adiabatic cooling the temperature can still be between »10º - 105ºf every day depending on your elevation. 





The equatorial location of the Gran Sabana region also results in a wide-range of climate classifications. The most prevalent is a warm, wet tropical climate which covers most of the country at sea-level. It varies, however, from rainforest and monsoon climates to tropical savannahs. This substantial amount of rainfall helps to fuel the many water sources as well as rainforest life and grassy savannahs across the region. Sprinkled throughout Gran Sabana are rivers, lagoons, and two of the highest waterfalls in the entire world seen below.



Angel Falls, Canaima National Park.
Tallest in the world
Kukenaam, Salto


















Rainfall affects the geography in other ways as well. Gran Sabana features colossal “table-top” mountains also known as tepuis. The Kukenan tepui, photographed here, was eroded by weather and seems to jet out of the landscape. At »1.75 billion years old, these are some of the oldest geographical formations on the planet! Take some time to soak in the beauty of Gran Sabana and Venezuela—see more photos below as well as tourism links and video tours at the top of the page!

Kukenan tepui at sunset - Canaima National Park

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Angel Falls Drop


Sitting on a tepui
Monsoons - Canaima

Canaima Lagoon


Termiteras Gran Sabana