Lake Maracaibo, large inlet of the Caribbean Sea, lying in the Maracaibo Basin of northwestern Venezuela. The city is situated on Lake Maracaibo, a brackish lake that flows out onto the Caribbean Sea, in the northwest part of Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish bay in Venezuela. Get out in the middle for a few days and witness the lightning wonder! Against unequal odds, his remarkable daring and tactical resource won the day, finally guaranteeing Venezuela’s independence. Some see Lake Maracaibo as a lagoon or bay instead of a lake because of its salty water and extension into the Caribbean. Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela gets struck by lightning more than 200 times every year – that’s more than anywhere else on earth. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela.It is an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea".It is often called a lake rather than a bay or lagoon.In the north, a channel 55 km long connects it to the Carribean Sea. Some sources consider the water body to be the largest natural lake in South America, covering an area of about 5,130 square miles (13,280 square … Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo, pronounced [ˈlaɣo ðe maɾaˈkajβo] ()) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea". Lake Maracaibo is one of the world’s richest and most centrally located petroleum-producing regions. Lake Maracaibo, a 5,097 square mile body of water, is a graveyard for everything from abandoned pipeline to tires. Providing months-advance warning could help people take extra precautions. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The lake also passes through the Venezulan states of Trujillo and Mérida. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. It is recognized as the only freshwater lake in the world that has a direct and natural connection with the sea. It is recognized as the only freshwater lake in the world that has a direct and natural connection with the sea. Lake Maracaibo, at 20 to 40 million years old, is also one of the oldest lakes on earth. Lake Maracaibo is considered by some to be the second-oldest lake on Earth, but since it lies at sea level and nowadays is a contiguous body of water with the sea, others consider that it has turned into a small bay. Here are some amazing facts about Lake Maracaibo. Thank you for subscribing! The city was founded three times: the first time was during the Klein-Venedig period (1528 - 1546), when the Welser banking family received a concession over Venezuela Province from Charles I. of Spain. Natural gas is also obtained. Other articles where Maracaibo Lowlands is discussed: Venezuela: Relief: …the Orinoco delta; the Lake Maracaibo Lowlands; the Mérida and Perijá ranges of the Andes Mountains; the coastal mountain system (with its Coastal and Interior ranges); the northwestern valleys and hill ranges, also called the Segovia Highlands; the Llanos; and the Guiana Highlands It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. The lake water in the southern portion is fresh, but a stronger tidal influence makes the northern waters somewhat brackish. Oil is being extracted from the Maracaibo Basin since 1914. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Houses on stilts on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is the largest lake on the South American continent, and one of the planet's oldest bodies of water. Jump to navigation Jump to search. Averages are for Maracaibo-La Chinita, which is 10 miles from Maracaibo. If you're still searching for what to do in Maracaibo, there is still lots to see. Around the main group were the Añu tribe who built rows of stilt houses all over the northern riviera of the Lake Maracaibo. From Congo Mirador, a palafito village at the mouth of the Catatumbo River, to a fuel station requires a two-hour journey one way. For comparison, Lake Ontario has a surface area of 7,340 square miles. General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge panoramic. It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. Some sources consider the water body to be the largest natural lake in South America, covering an area of about 5,130 square miles (13,280 square km), extending southward for 130 miles (210 km) from the Gulf of Venezuela and reaching a width of 75 miles (121 km). A strait, 34 mi (55 km) long, connects it with the Gulf of Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is situated near the center of the city where parks and buildings are situated. Lake Maracaibo is the largest natural lake in South America. In Maracaibo, this channel is about 8.5 km wide. Most of the industry was developed by foreign (chiefly American, British, and Dutch) investment, with very few locally owned wells, but in 1975 the petroleum industry was nationalized. The much larger Lake Maracaibo is a contiguous body of water with the sea, so it is ignored. Read more facts about lake maracaibo. 1,249,670), capital of Zulia state, NW Venezuela, at the outlet of Lake Maracaibo. Here are some amazing facts about Lake Maracaibo. It is recognized as the only freshwater lake in the world that has a direct and natural connection with the sea. It is estimated to be the second oldest, having been created approximately 36 million years ago. This salty South American body of water lies between the Catatumbo River and the Caribbean Gulf of Venezuela. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Maracaibo History Facts and Timeline (Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela) This gateway to Lake Maracaibo, considered to be one of the oldest lakes on Earth, was dominated … Lake Maracaibo has been badly affected. Lake Maracaibo spans 13,200 square kilometers (5,100 square miles), about the size of Connecticut. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Put new text under old text. Geologists report that Maracaibo is one of only a handful of ancient lakes on earth, and it is estimated to be the second oldest; formed nearly 35 million years ago. The lake has it's challenges with pollution and the ever-present weed. The lake is named after the city Maracaibo, which lies on the east side of this channel. Facts About Lake Maracaibo. Photographer: Pietro Pitts/Bloomberg. Based on weather reports collected during 1985–2015. Length – As you can see from this map of Lake Titicaca, the lake stretches from the northwest to the southeast for a distance of about 120 miles (190 km).. Width – At its widest point, the lake measures about 50 miles (80 km). Largest lake in Latin America It is located in Zulia state of Venezuela and covers an area of … Read more Facts About Lake Maracaibo Skip navigation Maracaibo, Lake, largest lake of South America, c.5,100 sq mi (13,210 sq km), NW Venezuela, extending c.110 mi (180 km) inland. Maracaibo (/ ˌ m æ r ə ˈ k aɪ b oʊ /; Spanish pronunciation: [maɾaˈkajβo] (); Wayuu: Marakaaya) is a city and municipality in northwestern Venezuela, on the western shore of the strait that connects Lake Maracaibo to the Gulf of Venezuela.It is the second-largest city in Venezuela, after the national capital, Caracas, and the capital of the state of Zulia. This event has been recognized by as the highest concentration of lightening in the world by the Guinness World Record. The lake is named after the city Maracaibo, which lies on the west side of this channel. During peak thunderstorm season, Lake Maracaibo has an average of 28 lightning strikes per minute hit its surface. Omissions? It has surface area of 1.5 hectares (3.7 acres). It is located in the Peninsula of San Carlos, in Zulia state, Venezuela. It is surrounded by eucalyptus and paperback trees and a long and thin shore divides the Southern Ocean from the lake. , Great Lakes It is best viewed from the south end where pollution has not ruined the lake, and approach via Puerto Concha. The lake is named after the city Maracaibo, which lies on the west side of this channel. Lake Maracaibo, Spanish Lago de Maracaibo, large inlet of the Caribbean Sea, lying in the Maracaibo Basin of northwestern Venezuela. It is considered one of the richest oil areas in the world. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela.It is an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea".It is often called a lake rather than a bay or lagoon.In the north, a channel 55 km long connects it to the Carribean Sea. It covers a total area of about 5,130 square miles. Some sources consider the water body to be the largest natural lake in South America , covering an area of about 5,130 square miles (13,280 square km), extending southward for 130 miles (210 km) from the Gulf of Venezuela and reaching a width of 75 miles (121 km). Slaughtering Facts About Famous Cannibals, Top 10 Chinese Culture Facts to Understand China. SourceFve-miles above Lake Maracaibo, storm clouds gather up to 160 nights per year and can last for up to 10 hours. Showing: All Year Climate & Weather Averages in Maracaibo. It is also one of the oldest bodies of water on the entire planet. Here are some amazing facts about Lake Maracaibo. Description. General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge spans this channel. Lake Maracaibo is a gigantic lake in Venezuela. Other sources note, however, that Lake Maracaibo is more properly termed an inlet because much of the water it receives is brought in by the tide from the Atlantic Ocean. A strait, 34 mi (55 km) long, connects it with the Gulf of Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is also famous for the historic battle of Lake of Maracaibo that consolidated the independence of Venezuela from Spain. Lake Maracaibo, Spanish Lago de Maracaibo, large inlet of the Caribbean Sea, lying in the Maracaibo Basin of northwestern Venezuela. Maracaibo, Lake, largest lake of South America, c.5,100 sq mi (13,210 sq km), NW Venezuela, extending c.110 mi (180 km) inland. For comparison, Lake Ontario has a surface area of 7,340 square miles. States of Venezuela Map Venezuela (officially, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela) is divided into 23 states (estados, singular - estado), 1 Capital district (Distrito Capital), and Federal Dependencies (Dependencias Federales). 5. Does the earth’s magnetic field change over time. Maracaibo History Facts and Timeline (Maracaibo, Zulia, Venezuela) This gateway to Lake Maracaibo, considered to be one of the oldest lakes on Earth, was dominated by the Anu tribe during the early years of the 1400s. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. The Anu constructed stilt houses, which were propped up to provide a base from which to explore the surrounding waters. The San Carlos de la Barra fort is one of a number of coastal fortifications which the Spanish built in Venezuela in colonial times. History. The Maracaibo Basin, also known as Lake Maracaibo natural region, Lake Maracaibo depression or Lake Maracaibo Lowlands, is a foreland basin and one of the eight natural regions of Venezuela, found in the northwestern corner of Venezuela in South America. By using our services, you agree to our use of cookies. Covering an area of approximately 5,130 square miles (13,280 square kilometers), it is about 130 miles (210 kilometers) long by 75 miles (120 kilometers) at its widest. These cookies do not store any personal information. The aboriginals used to call it Coquivacoa. High Temp: 94 °F. It is commonly considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon, and at 13,210 km² it … The lightning produced by this phenomenon is so famous that it was once used by the sailors to know what their location is. Modificaciones: translated to spanish. The Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is one of the longest bridges in the world and measures 8.7 km. The Guajiros, an ancient people, were also already settled around the lake well before Ojeda sailed into the bay. Maracaibo, Lake, largest lake of South America, c.5,100 sq mi (13,210 sq km), NW Venezuela, extending c.110 mi (180 km) inland. Lake Maracaibo is a gigantic lake in Venezuela. Its maximum length is 159 kilometers and, a maximum width of 108 kilometers. 5. Lake Maracaibo basin is surrounded by mountains that trap warm winds coming off the Caribbean Sea. Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish tidal bay in Venezuela. Massive thunderstorms occur on 140-160 nights per year with an average of 28 lightning strikes per minute lasting up to 10 hours at a time. Lake_Maracaibo_map-fr.svg: Kimdime69; Esta es una imagen retocada, lo que significa que ha sido alterada digitalmente de su versión original. Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the project's quality scale. Maracaibo (märäkī´bō), city (1990 pop. Lake Maracaibo. One of the many Maracaibo activities that has lost a bit of relevance over the years is Lake Maracaibo. Getting There. It is often called a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is the place on Earth that receives the most lightning strikes. North America – Lake Superior. in Facts, Nature Facts, Newton Desk Leave a comment 448 views 1 The most Lightning-struck Place on Earth occurs over and Around Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. "We're producing 160,000 barrels a day, that's a sixth of the production from just six years ago," said Ochoa. If you do, there is a perfect place for you. The characteristic feature of the Caribbean Sea, so it is an inlet..., lo que significa que ha sido alterada digitalmente de su versión original absolutely essential the. Have lost their purity and the landscape has become very damaged and Understand how you use this.! Place for you article 's subject already settled around the main group the... 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Venezuela, at the outlet of lake of Maracaibo that consolidated the independence Venezuela... Is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your browsing.! Sourcefve-Miles above lake Maracaibo least 14 other rivers peak thunderstorm season, lake has... Meteorological phenomena that only occurs at the lake well before Ojeda sailed into the Caribbean Sea, in! To running these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience & averages. Long and thin shore divides the southern side of this channel essential for the website function.

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