Ciudad Bolívar (formerly Angostura)

Ciudad Bolívar lies on the Lower Orinoco River; about 150 km upstream from the place where the river ramifies into its delta and the city boasts some of Venezuela's most magnificent colonial architecture. Ciudad Bolívar was the place where Simón Bolívar based himself before launching the final stage of the War of Independence in the 1820's, which resulted in the expulsion of the Spanish colonizers and the liberation of Venezuela, as well as Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Prior to this, Ciudad Bolívar, then called Angostura, became Venezuela's provisional capital.

There are numerous hotels and restaurants in this hot city. Ciudad Bolívar is 460 km southeast of Caracas.