Diario las Américas., 1958-05-20
Know thv
Nei9hbor
By ANTONIO RUIZ

- Ill Lie Hloot
mountainous part Of Venezuela,
the region of the Andes, r locat-
ed three western states-Tachlra,
Merida and Trujillo - called the
Andean States, which make up one
Of the most important sections OF
the country from the economic
and population viewpoints. The
population of these three Andean
states is estimated in about Is
per cent of the total Venezuelan
population, while their total area
IL, 500 square miles, or slightly
above 3 per cent of the total area
of the country.
The highest mountains in Vene-
zuela rise in the Andes. Merida
has the highest of all - Bolivar
Peak = which is 1892 feet above
sea level, besides others above 49,
600 feet. 1t is the only state in
Venezuela with perennially snow
covered mountains. In Trujillo
State, there are mountains as high
as IS 100 feet above sea level, and
in Tachira, Battalion Peal is 1885
feet high.
The Andean region is unlike
any other in Venezuela, for even
though the coastal range may be a
continuation of the same range of
the Andes, mountains are more
rugged, massive and spectacular.
Few other parts of the country
may be compared with the Andes
in scenic grandeur and variety of
landscape. From the hot San Ca
milo jungle, an ever changing
Gene greets the traveller as he
gradually climbs up the mountains
to San Cristobal, capital of Tachi-
ra State 2,700 feet above sea level,
and goes through the beautiful val
legs of La Grita and Bailadores,
towards Merida.
After Merida capital of the
state of the same name, the change
of scenery is even more notice
able Climbing up dong the
highway, the temperature turns
colder, vegetation is sparser and
stunted, banks of clouds coming
down from the mountains occa
sionally hide the road in thick
fog. Soon the timber line is left
behind, and only 'frailej6n' a
plant that grows only in the cold
heights of the mountains, with its
lovely yellow flowers and velvety
spear-like leaves, covers the mount
aims.
A sense of smallness overpowers
the spirit and the sight of the i'm
mense mass of rocky peaks rising
ever higher. In December and Jan
uary, the range, surging still 5000
feet above the summit of the road,
may be seen in all its majesty I'M
der a mantle of snow glowing like
emberS when hit by the setting
sun. At other times the ever pre-
sent clouds allow only momentary
glimpses of the magnificent view.
Then, more often than not, it rains
and SHOWS.
The traveller Is numb with cold
when he reaches the "paramo" OF
Mucuchies and stops at a welcome
little hotel to get warm Here is
the highest point of the Trans
Andean Highway, 1880 feet above
sea level, and many a traveller
must rush down to avoid mount
ain sickness. On the descent from
the "paramo", the scene changes
again, this time in reverse. The
bare mountains are slowly succeed
ed by vegetation first in patches
and then in blankets covering the
land as far as the eye al see.
Valleys and slopes are dotted
with small farm-houses surround
ed by a few banana and corn
plants, or with large plantations o f
sugar-cane or coffee. In two hours
a descent is made from 1880 feet
to the comfortable climate of Va
lera, 1900 feet above sea level. The
physical appearance Of the land
keeps on changing down from Va
lera, as the traveller reaches Monay
Plains, and further west, the Cnizo
Plains bordering Lake Maracaibo.
Such a wide range of attitudes af-
fords a great variety of climates,
with temperatures ranging from
rs 10 IS degrees Fahrenheit.
Spanish Version Page 3 ,