Mountain range that runs along the central and eastern portions of Venezuela's northern coast. The range is divided into two big regions: the central portion and the oriental massif. The central portion is divided into two parallel running 'sub' ranges. The inner range (Cordillera del Interior) runs west-east south of Valencia lake to the south of River Tuy's Valley. The littoral range (Cordillera del Litoral) runs north of Valencia lake, and then, just before reaching Caracas it is divided into two shorter ranges: The Ávila to the north, and a minor set of hills to the south. The Valley comprised between these later ranges is ocuppied by the city of Caracas.