Explore historical and projected climate data, climate data by sector, impacts, key vulnerabilities and what adaptation measures are being taken. Explore the overview for a general context of how climate change is affecting Venezuela.
This page presents high-level information for Venezuela's climate zones and its seasonal cycle for mean temperature and precipitation for the latest climatology, 1991-2020. Climate zone classifications are derived from the Köppen-Geiger climate classification system, which divides climates into five main climate groups divided based on seasonal precipitation and temperature patterns. The five main groups are A (tropical), B (dry), C (temperate), D (continental), and E (polar). All climates except for those in the E group are assigned a seasonal precipitation sub-group (second letter). Climate classifications are identified by hovering your mouse over the legend. A narrative overview of Venezuela's country context and climate is provided following the visualizations.
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Venezuela is located in the northern coast of South America. The country borders the Caribbean Sea to the north, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Federal Republic of Brazil to the south, and the Republic of Colombia to the west. The Venezuelan economy depends heavily on oil exports, which account for almost all export earnings and nearly half of the government’s revenue, despite a continued decline in oil production in 2017. Venezuela’s GDP (PPP adjusted) is estimated at USD $380.7 billion, with a population of 31,304,016 and a GDP per capita of USD 12,100 (2017) (CIA Factbook). According to the International Monetary Fund, Venezuela’s GDP in 2017 is 35% below 2013 levels, or 40% in per capita terms.
Venezuela has a hot and humid tropical climate which is more moderate in the highlands. Caracas, the capital, has a Tropical Savanna climate according to the Köppen Classification. The effects of climate change have already been experienced in Venezuela, which used to have five glaciers in 1991 and today, only one remains. The last glacier in Venezuela, the Humboldt glacier, is expected to disappear within a decade or two. The rapid glacier retreat affects the water cycle in glacier-dependent basins, which changes water availability. Thus, the disappearance of the Humboldt glacier will impact local communities as run off stability and water supply for agriculture change. Venezuela has submitted its Second National Communication to UNFCCC in 2017 and its Nationally Determined Contribution in 2015.
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