Nevertheless, Christopher Columbus, on his third voyage to the New World, was inspired enough to call Venezuela "paradise on earth.". Venezuela is exceptionally rich in biological diversity and pure natural beauty. With 43 national parks and a score of other natural monuments and protected areas, it's a fabulous destination for nature lovers, bird-watchers, and adventure travelers. There's great windsurfing, scuba diving, fishing, mountain biking, mountain climbing, hiking, trekking, and river rafting. Venezuela has the world's tallest waterfall, Angel Falls; the world's highest and longest cable car in the Andean city of Mérida; and miles and miles of white-sand Caribbean beaches.