Lake Maracaibo, Natural lake in northwestern Venezuela
Lake Maracaibo extends across 13,500 square kilometers, making it the largest water body in South America, with depths averaging 35 meters throughout its expanse.
Spanish explorers discovered the lake in 1499, encountering indigenous settlements on stilts along its shores, which inspired them to name the region Veneziola.
The lake supports over 20,000 local fishermen who maintain traditional fishing practices while navigating between modern oil extraction installations across the waters.
The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge spans the lake, connecting eastern and western shores while enabling both vehicle traffic and maritime passage beneath its structure.
The Catatumbo lightning occurs over Lake Maracaibo, producing up to 300 strikes per hour during nocturnal thunderstorms between September and October.
Location: Municipio Maracaibo
Elevation above the sea: 0 m
GPS coordinates: 9.81583,-71.55667
Latest update: May 26, 2025 19:11
Monumento a la Virgen de la Paz
130.9 km
La Chiquinquirá Church
92.3 km
San Carlos de la Barra Fortress
130.4 km
Ciénagas de Juan Manuel National Park
89.9 km
Sierra La Culata National Park
128.4 km
Baralt Theatre
92.2 km
Centro de Arte Lía de Bermúdez
91.8 km
Plaza de toros Monumental de Maracaibo
98.2 km
Teta de Niquitao-Guirigay Natural Monument
140.3 km
Hospital Universitario de Maracaibo
95.8 km
St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral, Maracaibo
92.1 km
Saint Barbara Church (Maracaibo)
92.2 km
Church of St. Lucia
92.6 km
Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral
66.1 km
Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace, Trujillo
132.9 km
Ángel de Amparo
94.8 km
Cerro Pintado
158.7 km
Palacio Legislativo del Zulia
92.2 km
Basilica of St. Lucia, Timotes
128.9 km
Cemetery El Cuadrado de Maracaibo
92.7 km
Alto de Timotes
133.9 km
General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge
84.5 km
Edificio Padilla
92.5 km
Bust of Queen Wilhelmina
94.4 km
Catatumbo lightning
56 km
Monte Carmelo
107.4 km
Zulian Museum of Contemporary Art
96.2 km
Pico El Gavilán
135.9 kmReviews
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