Maracaibo, Metropolitan center in Zulia State, Venezuela
Maracaibo sits on the western shore of a wide channel connecting the namesake lake to the Gulf of Venezuela. The city spreads along flat coastal strips where low houses stand beside multistory buildings and green park areas.
A German explorer founded the settlement in 1529 as a base for further expeditions into the interior. The discovery of oil deposits in the early 20th century transformed the port into a major industrial center.
The city takes its name from the nearby lake, which early inhabitants regarded as sacred waters. Each December, streets and squares fill with music groups playing traditional songs on furro drums and cuatro guitars.
A long bridge structure connects the city to the opposite shore and allows travelers to continue north. Most visitors plan several days to explore different neighborhoods and markets.
The city carries the nickname Land of the Beloved Sun because sunshine appears more than three hundred days each year. During some months, nighttime temperatures barely drop lower than daytime readings.
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