Venezuela is a country that enjoys a wide variety of climates and landscapes such as the Andean range, a part of a long number of mountains that expands through other seven Latin-American countries.

In the Venezuelan Andes we can find Merida Cordillera which is formed by two Sierras: Nevada and La Culata. These two sierras have a unique and fascinating nature, rea­son for which both were declared National parks in Vene­zuela in 1952 and 1989, respectively. 

Sierra Nevada National park occupies 2,764 km2 and has the highest elevations of Venezuela, among them Bolívar Peak (4980mts), Humboldt and Bonpland Peaks (over 4200mts). Through history the range of mountains seen from the main cities showed five permanent white tops, which were called the five white eagles, namely: Bolívar, La Concha (the shell), El Toro (the bull), El Espejo (the mirror) and El León (the lion).
This region offers extraordinary views and picturesque spots which make it an authentic tourist pole. Sierra La Culata National park occupies 2004 km2 and is home of the Andean Condor, one of the world’s largest birds.

Road trips through the Andes take us to towns reaching the skies and abysmal cliffs when laddering the mountains. Blue intense views are suddenly embraced by mystical heavy mists and quiet mirror lagoons are converted into rapid riv­ers. The Andes is the source of inspirations of numerous Venezuelan writers, a land harmony where man and land­scape come together as one.

In between the two sierras of the Venezuelan Andes is the city of Merida, also known as Ciudad de Los Caballeros (The Gentlemen's City, a name fully honored by its citizens' proverbial polite manners and so well spoken Spanish).
It was founded in the 9th of October 1558 by the captain Juan Rodríguez Suárez, who was born in Merida, Spain and gave the same name to honor his home town. 

Merida offers many interesting attractions, including the worldwide highest and longest cable car (12.5 km) which can take you to Pico Espejo (Mirror Peak) at 4600 m. a trip that will stop at several stations and from where you can organize trips to secluded charming towns in the mountains.
The city was built in between rivers and counts with numerous parks (35). The temperature varies from 20º C a 25º C (68º F a 77º F) during the day to 15.5º C (60º F.) at night. The average day temperature is 19º C/66.2º F. The two weather seasons in Venezuela are rainy (May to November) and dry (the rest of the year).

Merida is an agricultural State, cultivating mainly potato and other vegetables, banana and fruits. It is also the third largest state that produces milk in Venezuela. The main income to Merida is however the tourism industry.