The Llanos

The Llanos (YAH-nos) is a tropical savanna found in Venezuela and northeastern Colombia. The Llanos is bordered by the Andes Mountains in the north and west, the Amazon and Guaviare Rivers to the south, and the lower Orinoco River to the east. At its highest elevation, the Llanos is about 1,000 feet (305 meters) above sea level, although some areas may be as a low as 200 to 300 feet (61 to 91 meters).

Typical of tropical grasslands, the Llanos is flooded for part of the year and dry for the rest. During the dry season, which lasts from November through April, fires often sweep the land. When the rains begin in April or May, lakes, lagoons, and marshes form. The area stays wet until November, when the dry cycle begins again. Annual precipitation ranges from 45 to 180 inches (114 to 457 centimeters). The annual average temperature is approximately 75°F (24°C...