The capital of the state of Merida stands on an alluvial terrace between two rivers, guarded by the dramatic backdrop of the Andes. The heart of the Venezuelan Andes is the 276,446 hectare Sierra Nevada National Park which covers a vast area south of Merida. The beautiful landscape is defined by deep, narrow valleys and glacial lakes.
Merida has become one of the main places in Venezuela for adventure sports and outdoor activities including trekking, mountain biking, horse-riding and paragliding.
