Venezuela is connected to the world primarily via air (Venezuela's airports include the Simón Bolívar International Airport

Simón Bolívar International Airport (Venezuela)

Simón Bolívar International Airport of Maiquetia is an international airport located in Maiquetía, Venezuela, about 13 miles from downtown Caracas....

 near Caracas and La Chinita International Airport

La Chinita International Airport

-Accidents and incidents:*On 1 November 1971, Vickers Viscount YV-C-AMZ of Linea Aeropostal Venezolana crashed shortly after take-off. All four people on board were killed....

 near Maracaibo

Maracaibo

Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state...

) and sea (with major sea ports at La Guaira

La Guaira

La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region...

, Maracaibo and Puerto Cabello

Puerto Cabello

Puerto Cabello is a city on the north coast of Venezuela. It is located in Carabobo State about 75 km west of Caracas. As of 2001, the city has a population of around 154,000 people. The city is the home to the largest port in the country and is thus a vital cog in the country's vast oil...

). In the south and east the Amazon rainforest region has limited cross-border transport; in the west, there is a mountainous border of over 1375 miles (2,212.8 km) shared with Colombia

Colombia

Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...

. The Orinoco

Orinoco

The Orinoco is one of the longest rivers in South America at . Its drainage basin, sometimes called the Orinoquia, covers , with 76.3% of it in Venezuela and the remainder in Colombia...

 River is navigable by oceangoing vessels up to 400km inland, and connects the major industrial city of Ciudad Guayana

Ciudad Guayana

Ciudad Guayana is a city in Bolívar State, Venezuela. It lies south of the Orinoco, where the river is joined by the Caroní River. The city, officially founded in 1961, is actually composed of the old town of San Félix at the east and the new town of Puerto Ordaz at the west, which lie either...

 to the Atlantic Ocean.

Venezuela has a limited national railway system, which has no active rail connections to other countries; the government of Hugo Chávez has invested substantially in expanding it. Several major cities have metro systems; the Caracas Metro

Caracas Metro

The Caracas Metro is a mass rapid transit system serving Caracas, Venezuela. It is constructed and operated by Compañía Anónima Metro de Caracas, a government-owned company that was founded in 1977 by José González-Lander who headed the project for more than thirty years since the early planning...

 has been operating since 1983. The Maracaibo Metro

Maracaibo Metro

The Maracaibo Metro, also known as Metro del Sol Amado, is a six-station metro system in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Service between La Vanega and El Varillal opened to the public on November 25, 2006, with all stations on the line opened on June 9, 2009.The metro encompasses the suburbs of Maracaibo...

 and Valencia Metro

Valencia Metro (Venezuela)

The Valencia Metro is the public mass transit system of Valencia, Carabobo, Venezuela and its suburbs Naguanagua Municipality and San Diego Municipality....

 were opened more recently. Venezuela has a road network of around 100,000 km (placing it around 47th in the world); around a third of roads are paved.

Railways

total:
7000 km (?) (248 km privately owned, including Orinoco Mining Company)

standard gauge

Standard gauge

The standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...

:
682 km (40 km electrified)

Cities with underground railway systems

• Caracas
  Caracas Metro
  The Caracas Metro is a mass rapid transit system serving Caracas, Venezuela. It is constructed and operated by Compañía Anónima Metro de Caracas, a government-owned company that was founded in 1977 by José González-Lander who headed the project for more than thirty years since the early planning...
  
   (El Metro de Caracas, operated by C.A. Metro de Caracas)
• Los Teques Metro
  Los Teques Metro
  The Los Teques Metro is a suburban mass-transit system that is being built in the city of Los Teques, Venezuela with connections to important surrounding cities and communities. It was opened to public service on November 3, 2006....
  
   - opened in 2006.

Railway links with adjoining countries

Guyana

Transport in Guyana

The transport sector comprises the physical facilities, terminals, fleets and ancillary equipment of all the various modes of transport operating in Guyana, the transport services, transport agencies providing these services, the organizations and people who plan, build, maintain, and operate the...

 - no Brazil - no

• • Brazil
    Rail transport in Brazil
    Rail transport in Brazil began in the 19th century and there were many different railway companies. The railways were nationalised under RFFSA in 1957...
    
     Colombia
    Transport in Colombia
    Transport in Colombia is regulated by the Ministry of Transport.Road travel is the main means of transport; almost 70 percent of cargo is transported by road, as compared with 27 percent by railroad, 3 percent by internal waterways, and 1 percent by air. Nevertheless, Colombia has one of the lowest...
    
     - yes, but inoperative (Railroad of Cúcuta) - proposed rebuilding
  • Colombia
    Rail transport in Colombia
    The Colombia railway network has a total length of 3,304 km. There are 150 km of standard gauge connecting Cerrejón coal mines to maritime port of Puerto Bolivar at Bahia de Portete, and 3,154 km of narrow gauge of which 2,611 km are in use...
    
    

Maps

• UNHCR Atlas Map
• Future Map

• Encarta
  Encarta
  Microsoft Encarta was a digital multimedia encyclopedia published by Microsoft Corporation from 1993 to 2009. , the complete English version, Encarta Premium, consisted of more than 62,000 articles, numerous photos and illustrations, music clips, videos, interactive contents, timelines, maps and...
  
  

Standards

• Gauge:
• Coupling: AAR
• Brakes: Air
• Electrification: 25 kV AC 60 Hz

2008

• On August 23, 2008
  August 2008 in rail transport
  - August 1 – August 2 :August 1* – Officials in China hold two opening ceremonies, one in Beijing and another in Tianjin, to officially open the Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Railwayway line. The opening makes the new line the first in the world to regularly host trains traveling up to...
  
  , a deal was signed between Argentina (Argentina
  Rail transport in Argentina
  The Argentine railway network comprised of track at the end of the Second World War and was, in its time, one of the most extensive and prosperous in South America. However, with the increase in highway construction, there followed a sharp decline in railway profitability, leading to the break-up...
  
  ), Brazil (Brazil
  Rail transport in Brazil
  Rail transport in Brazil began in the 19th century and there were many different railway companies. The railways were nationalised under RFFSA in 1957...
  
  ) and Venezuela to develop an electified railway link between these countries. A minor hurdle is the use of both 50 Hz and 60 Hz.

• July 5 - meeting between Venezuela, Colombia
  Transport in Colombia
  Transport in Colombia is regulated by the Ministry of Transport.Road travel is the main means of transport; almost 70 percent of cargo is transported by road, as compared with 27 percent by railroad, 3 percent by internal waterways, and 1 percent by air. Nevertheless, Colombia has one of the lowest...
  
   (Colombia
  Rail transport in Colombia
  The Colombia railway network has a total length of 3,304 km. There are 150 km of standard gauge connecting Cerrejón coal mines to maritime port of Puerto Bolivar at Bahia de Portete, and 3,154 km of narrow gauge of which 2,611 km are in use...
  
  ) and Ecuador (Ecuador) regarding a railway for freight and passengers to link the three countries, and linking the Pacific with the Atlantic also.

2006

• Venezuela awards contracts worth $2.2 billion to build two new railway lines. Construction on the two new lines connecting San Juan de los Morros
  San Juan de los Morros
  San Juan de los Morros is the capital of the Guarico state and capital of the Juan Germán Roscio municipality, and is a town located in central Venezuela.- Overview :...
  
   to San Fernando de Apure
  San Fernando de Apure
  San Fernando de Apure is a city in Apure State in Venezuela. The population of the municipality area is 175,056 . The 18th century exports included heron feathers and animal hides....
  
   and connecting Chaguaramas
  Chaguaramas
  Chaguaramas lies in the North West Peninsula of Trinidad west of Port of Spain; the name is often applied to the entire peninsula, but is sometimes used to refer to the most developed area...
  
   to Cabruta
  Cabruta
  Cabruta is a fishing town on the Orinoco river in Las Mercedes Municipality, Guárico State, site of a Jesuit mission, and the site of a proposed bridge across the Orinoco to Caicara, Bolívar State.-History:...
  
   is expected to begin in Q2 2006 and is expected to take six years to complete. April 2006 in rail transport
  April 2006 in rail transport
  -April 1:April 1* – The new Greater Western and Thameslink train operating franchises commence, both operated by First Group.* – The London passenger rail services of Great Northern and Thameslink are merged under First Capital Connect in a new franchise that will continue for six years...
  
  .

• In October 2006, Venezuela opened a new Caracas
  Caracas
  Caracas , officially Santiago de León de Caracas, is the capital and largest city of Venezuela; natives or residents are known as Caraquenians in English . It is located in the northern part of the country, following the contours of the narrow Caracas Valley on the Venezuelan coastal mountain range...
  
  -Cúa
  Cúa
  Cúa is a small city capital of the Urdaneta Municipality, located in the Miranda State in the north of Venezuela with an altitude of 490 m...
  
   railway, the first new railway in the country for 70 years

• "Towards the end of this month, we would have final discussions with Mittal Steel," said Mr Kapur, adding that the initial discussions took place in March. Moreover, Ircon is also likely to construct a new rail line in Venezuela at an estimated cost of $350 million.

Highways

Automobile transport is encouraged by the fact that Venezuela has the lowest gas prices in the world, at $0.48 per gallon ($0.13 per liter). In some cases, gas is less expensive than bottled water

Bottled water

Bottled water is drinking water packaged in plastic or glass water bottles. Bottled water may be carbonated or not...

.


total:
96,155 km

paved:
32,308 km

unpaved:
63,847 km (1997 est.)

Waterways

7,101 km; Rio Orinoco

Orinoco

The Orinoco is one of the longest rivers in South America at . Its drainage basin, sometimes called the Orinoquia, covers , with 76.3% of it in Venezuela and the remainder in Colombia...

 and Lago de Maracaibo

Lake Maracaibo

Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish bay in Venezuela at . It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait at the northern end, and fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo. It is commonly considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon, and at 13,210 km² it would be the...

 accept oceangoing vessels

Ship

Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...

Pipelines

• crude oil 6,370 km
• petroleum products 480 km
• natural gas
  Natural gas
  Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
  
   4,010 km

Ports and harbors

Amuay Amuay Amuay is a fishing town located in the Paraguana Peninsula, in Falcón state, Venezuela. It is a natural bay, also has a fishing port and the bigger part of the Paraguana Refinery Complex is located there.... Bajo Grande El Tablazo La Guaira La Guaira La Guaira is the capital city of the Venezuelan state of Vargas and the country's chief port. It was founded in 1577 as an outlet for Caracas, to the southeast. The town and the port were badly damaged during the December 1999 floods and mudslides that affected much of the region... La Salina Maracaibo Maracaibo Maracaibo is a city and municipality located in northwestern Venezuela off the western coast of the Lake Maracaibo. It is the second-largest city in the country after the national capital Caracas and the capital of Zulia state... Matanzas

Palua Puerto Cabello Puerto Cabello Puerto Cabello is a city on the north coast of Venezuela. It is located in Carabobo State about 75 km west of Caracas. As of 2001, the city has a population of around 154,000 people. The city is the home to the largest port in the country and is thus a vital cog in the country's vast oil... Puerto la Cruz Puerto la Cruz Puerto la Cruz is a port city located in Anzoátegui State, in Venezuela. It is the seat of the Juan Antonio Sotillo Municipality. The city has road connections to the state capital, Barcelona, to Lecheria and to Guanta, and has the potential to become the largest and most important metropolitan... Puerto Miranda Puerto Miranda Puerto Miranda is an oil port situated on the east side of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela opposite the city of Maracaibo and is operated by the Venezuelan State Oil Company It is the largest crude oil export port in South America.... Puerto Ordaz Puerto Ordaz Puerto Ordaz is a planned city which, together with the older settlement of San Felix, forms Ciudad Guayana in Bolívar State, eastern Venezuela. Puerto Ordaz is located at the confluence of the Caroní and Orinoco Rivers and is the site of the Llovizna Falls. There are bridges across the Caroni and... Puerto Sucre Punta Cardon

Merchant marine

total:
34 ship

Ship

Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...

s ( or over) totaling /

ships by type: (1999 est.)

bulk carrier Bulk carrier A bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships,... s 5 cargo ship Cargo ship A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade... s 10 combination bulk carriers Bulk carrier A bulk carrier, bulk freighter, or bulker is a merchant ship specially designed to transport unpackaged bulk cargo, such as grains, coal, ore, and cement in its cargo holds. Since the first specialized bulk carrier was built in 1852, economic forces have fueled the development of these ships,...  1 gas carrying tankers LNG carrier An LNG carrier is a tank ship designed for transporting liquefied natural gas . As the LNG market grows rapidly, the fleet of LNG carriers continues to experience tremendous growth.-History:...  2

passenger/cargo ships Passenger ship A passenger ship is a ship whose primary function is to carry passengers. The category does not include cargo vessels which have accommodations for limited numbers of passengers, such as the ubiquitous twelve-passenger freighters once common on the seas in which the transport of passengers is...  1 petroleum tanker 7 roll-on/roll-off 7 short-sea passenger Coastal trading vessel Coastal trading vessels, also known as coasters, are shallow-hulled ships used for trade between locations on the same island or continent. Their shallow hulls mean that they can get through reefs where deeper-hulled sea-going ships usually cannot....  1

Airports - with paved runways

total:
122

over 3,047 m:
5

2,438 to 3,047 m:
10

1,524 to 2,437 m:
32

914 to 1,523 m:
58

under 914 m:
17 (1999 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total:
244

1,524 to 2,437 m:
10

914 to 1,523 m:
93

under 914 m:
141 (1999 est.)

Cable car

At one time Venezuela had the world's highest cable car

Aerial tramway

An aerial tramway , cable car , ropeway or aerial tram is a type of aerial lift which uses one or two stationary ropes for support while a third moving rope provides propulsion...

. The Mérida cable car

Mérida cable car

The Mérida Cable Car was the world's highest cable car. Its base is located in the Venezuelan city of Mérida at an altitude of , and its terminus is on Pico Espejo, at . The whole system was opened to the public in 1960; it was closed indefinitely in 2008, with a declaration that it had reached...

 opened in 1960, connecting Mérida

Mérida, Mérida

Santiago de los Caballeros de Mérida, Venezuela, is the capital of the municipality of Libertador and the state of Mérida, and is one of the principal cities of the Venezuelan Andes...

 with the top of the Sierra Nevada de Mérida

Sierra Nevada de Mérida

The Sierra Nevada de Mérida is the highest mountain range in the largest massif in Venezuela, the Cordillera de Mérida, which in turn is part of the northern extent of the Cordillera de los Andes...

. It was closed indefinitely in 2008, having reached the end of its service life.