The state of Bolívar has some of the most spectacular geological wonders in the world. The unique tepuis, or tabletop mountains, comprise about 65% of the 3-million-hectare Canaima National Park, a World Heritage Site. The thick jungles surrounding the mountains hide some very unusual plant and animal species.
The tallest and most famous of the tepuis is cloud-capped Mount Roraima, which towers along the border between Brazil and Guyana. The largest is the Auyantepui, where the highest waterfall in the world, Angel Falls, drops 3,200 feet.
Sitting on a rocky hill on the bank of the beautiful Orinoco where the river is narrower is the state capital, Ciudad Bolívar, a colonial town that was the site of many battles during the War for Independence. An interesting witness to the past is the Bolívar Museum, once the newspaper house where the first Venezuelan newspaper El Correo del Orinco was printed.
Bolívar Square is surrounded by historical buildings such as the salmon-coloured Cathedral, the Angostura Congress House and the colonial Governor’s old home, now the Town Hall. The Zamuro Fortress played an important role during the revolution. A more recent attraction is the Jesus Soto Modern Art Museum.
The region produces significant amount of corn and yucca. In the main cities, more than 90% of the economic activities are in banking, commerce, services and transportation.