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Lake Maracaibo

Thousands of kilometers of water surface, as many centuries ago, retain a majestic serenity. In the distance you can hear the sounds of forest life and the measured whirring of cars whizzing across the bridge. This is what Lake Maracaibo, one of the oldest on the planet and the largest in South America, looks like during the day. But when the night gloom envelops everything, the spectacular nature show begins.

Geography

Lake Maracaibo - photo

Maracaibo is located in an ancient tectonic depression south of the Gulf of Venezuela and is connected to it by the small Strait of Tablaso. The lake’s water is slightly brackish and is fed by numerous rivers, the largest of which is the Catatumbo. The area of the water surface is more than 13.5 km2. The depth of the lake is uneven, the northern part – shallow, and in the south reaches 250 m.

Most of the coast is low-lying. The vegetation changes greatly from the north, where typical savanna grasses predominate, to the south, where a green wall of mysterious tropical forest rises behind the mangroves of the marshy shore. The fertile land is used to grow sugar cane and cocoa.

History and Legends

Lake Maracaibo - photo

Venezuelan archaeologists claim that the first settlements appeared on the shores of Lake Maracaibo about 15,000 years ago. The white man first appeared here in 1499. It was one of Columbus’ companions, Alonso de Ojeda. It is believed that he not only opened the area to Europeans, but with the light hand of his team Venezuela acquired its name. In 1529 the city of Maracaibo was founded at the outlet of the lake. The economic development of the region began with the advent of the twentieth century, when rich deposits of oil were found here. Now great importance is also given to tourism.

There is no consensus about the origin of the lake’s name. Some tales say that it owes its existence to the local legendary chief Mara, who died defending his people from invaders. Historians prove that there is no confirmation of the existence of such a man, but the beautiful legend lives on. Other sources state that the word “Maracaibo” comes from the marshy lakeside area of Maara Ivo, “The Serpent’s Place.

A natural extravaganza

Lake Maracaibo - photo

Many tourists come to Lake Maracaibo, to Cienagas del Catatumbo Park, to admire the unseen Catatumbo lightning action. Under the cover of night, lightning flashes about 5 kilometers high at the point where the waters of the river flow into the lake. It is noteworthy that these flashes are not accompanied by peals of thunder. They usually last about 10 hours, with a frequency of up to 60 discharges per minute and are visible around 400 km.

In ancient times, this natural phenomenon was repeated almost every day and sailors used it as a reference point for navigation, so it is often called the “Lighthouse of Maracaibo”. Now this natural extravaganza can be observed only 140-160 days a year. It is considered the largest source of ozone on the planet. Local Indians say that lightning is formed when the soul of the deceased encounters a firefly.

National Parks

City of Maracaibo - photo

The coastal lands of Lake Maracaibo are home to two national parks, Cienagas del Catatumbo and Cienago de los Olivitos. There are all conditions to enjoy the pristine beauty of local nature. The first is famous for its lightning, the second for the wonderful pink flamingos that nest in the mangroves.

It is also home to a variety of other birds and animals. Those who wish can stay in specially built Indian houses on the water.

Urdaneta Bridge

Bridge over Lake Maracaibo

A bridge named after General Rafael Urdaneta (a famous South American military and political figure) is built across the strait connecting the lake with the Gulf of Venezuela. The length of the reinforced concrete road bridge is more than 8.5 km. It has 135 spans, with the central spans 236 meters long and 45 meters above the water surface. This allows large tankers to safely pass here.

The Urdaneta Bridge is one of the longest such structures in the world. He was conceived in 1957 and was inaugurated in 1962. Driving on the bridge you can admire the beautiful surrounding scenery and amazed by human skill and ability to create such a man-made miracle.

City of Marocaibo

Lake Maracaibo - photo

The city of Marocaibo has an interesting history. The official date of its foundation is considered 1529, when German colonists settled here. The settlement of Neu-Nuremberg was soon abandoned. The second birth date was 1571, when Captain Alonso Pacheco settled the town of Nueva Samora. The city began to actively develop only since 1917 after the discovery of oil fields.

Resort MaracaiboIn the city there are many interesting buildings and structures, there are different exhibitions and the Botanical Gardens. The beautifully preserved Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquira church (17th century) and Iglesia de Santa Barbara in Neo-Gothic style and the Cathedral (16th-17th centuries) will be of interest to lovers of the historical past and admirers of architectural beauties. The figures of condors comfortably perched on the roof of the Palacio de Gobierno are a sight to behold. The special color of the colorful houses in the colonial style of Carabobo Street is fascinating.

Lake Maracaibo beckons with its natural and man-made attractions. Travelers have a lot of new interesting discoveries to look forward to.

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