Municipio Simón Bolívar

Simón Bolívar is an administrative division on the eastern shore of Lake Maracaibo in Zulia State. The territory spans 219 square kilometers and centers on Tía Juana as its main urban settlement.

This municipality separated from Cabimas in 1995 and took its name from the former Bolívar District. The administrative split created an independent governance structure for the lakeside region.

The three parishes of Manuel Manrique, Rafael María Baralt, and Rafael Urdaneta form distinct communities within the municipality. Each one has developed its own local character shaped by ties to the oil industry that anchors the regional economy.

The municipality is served by a network of intercommunal roads connecting different neighborhoods and adjacent administrative areas. The flat terrain makes movement straightforward, though the lakeside location shapes local conditions throughout the year.

The territory sits approximately 6 meters below sea level and features dry forest landscapes. This unusual topography combines with substantial oil operations at Tía Juana Tierra, creating a landscape where industrial activity and natural conditions coexist.

GPS coordinates: 9.94651,-64.68626

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:42