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The only way to remove the weed is to pull it out of the lake physically – no chemical or biological method has been found to treat the weed. In July 1823, the bay was the site of the Battle of Lake Maracaibo, an important battle in the Venezuelan War of Independence. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. At 13,210 square kilometres (5,100 sq mi) it was once the largest lake in South America; the geological record shows that it was a true lake in the past, and as such is one of the The lightning itself acted as a kind of beacon for navigators. From my researches at List of Freshwater Fishes reported from Venezuela (as it’s the best source I can see), I see that most of fish species that occur on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela are related to those which occur at Amazonian waters. After constant dredging in the 1930s increased the depth to 25 feet (8 metres), a 2-mile- (3-km-) long stone breakwater and a 35-foot- (11-metre-) deep channel were completed in 1957 to accommodate oceangoing ships and tankers. The first known settlements on the bay were those of the Guajiros, who still are present in large numbers, but were re-settled in the western boundary area with Colombia. Lake Maracaibo has a reputation for its lightning that dates back before the start of written history. At 13,210 square kilometres (5,100 sq mi) it was once the largest lake in South America; the geological record shows that it was a true lake in the past, and as such is one of the oldest lakes on Earth at 20–36 million years old.[14][15]. Legend has it that upon entering the lake, Ojeda's expedition found groups of indigenous huts, built over stilts on water (Spanish: palafitos), and interconnected by boardwalks on stilts, with each other and with the lake shore. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Maracaibo, European Space Agency - Observing the Earth - Earth from Space: Maracaibo, Venezuela, Lake Maracaibo - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Lake Maracaibo: General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge. Flying Great Egret near Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Although efforts to remove the plant have been underway, the plant – which can double its size every 48 hours – occupies over 130 million cubic meters of the lake. Picture: Wikimedia Commons Source:Supplied. The removal process has proven to be particularly difficult in the center of the lake, where a specially equipped ship may be needed to pull the weed off the lake. Unfortunately, the water there is slightly saline and is not good for frolicking and swimming. [29], Juan Murria, "Subsidence Due to Oil Production in Western Venezuela: Engineering Problems and Solutions,", "Who Wants to Be a Judge at the National Academic Championship? The lake sits along the Andes … Duckweed further threatens the local ecosystem by choking out other plants as it shades large portions of the lake. An atmospheric event that occurs where the Catatumbo River enters the Lake Maracaibo became known as Catatumbo lightning. This required the oil companies to build dikes and drain the land in order to build their facilities; Dutch Shell takes credit for some of the most enduring dike systems. The first European to discover the bay was Alonso de Ojeda on August 24, 1499, on a voyage with Amerigo Vespucci (the same explorer for whom the American continents were named). Indigenous Lake Dwellers, or Native Americans Known as Guajiros, Wayuu, Wayu, or Wahiro, Living in Wooden Stilt Houses Known as Palafitos on the Shores of Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela (Engraving, 1879) Oil derricks off the shore in Maracaibo Lake, Venezuela owned by … [25] (Examples of palafitos can still be found in "Santa Rosa", an area in the city of Maracaibo. Furthermore, chemicals used to clean up oil spills may have contributed to the duckweed problem. Cumulative subsidence is as much as 5 metres (16 ft), and it continues at a rate of up to 20 centimetres per year (7.9 in/year) at some locations inland and typically 5 cm/year (2.0 in/year) along the coast. The sudden influx of fresh water stirred the layers, allowing nutrients to float to the top, where duckweed and other plants reside. Fishermen covered in oil get their boat ready for fishing on Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo, a view of the state-owned La Salina crude oil shipping terminal in the distance. Crab fishing on the Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. However, the pollution of … See Researcher’s Note: Lake Titicaca versus Lake Maracaibo. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-is-the-brackish-lake-maracaibo.html disagree, believing the type of duckweed to be native to Florida and Texas and thus the infestation is a result of its having been transported by ship. [18][19], The villages of Barranquitas and San Luis, on the lake's western shore, have the highest concentration of Huntington's disease sufferers in the world.[20][21][22]. At first glance, Maracaibo does not seem like much of a tourist attraction. The plant clogs the motors of small boats, making it impossible for fishers to launch their vessels. Since we are talking about Maracaibo, it would not be fair if we do not mention Lake Maracaibo. Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea". It is the only known region in Venezuela where a dolphin species is exploited for human consumption. The original concessions to oil companies purposefully assigned swamps and wetlands along the east border of the lakes for facilities. It is named after the Catatumbo River, which enters Lake Maracaibo on its southern shore. Another point of uncertainty is why the scale of the outbreak is so great. Lake Maracaibo is one of the world’s richest and most centrally located petroleum-producing regions. Fisher man at work removing crabs from his perche on the lake of Maracaibo. Lake Maracaibo acts as a major shipping route to the ports of Maracaibo and Cabimas. The phenomenon has been known for centuries as the "Lighthouse of Maracaibo", since it is visible for miles around Lake Maracaibo. The surrounding Maracaibo Basin contains large reserves of crude oil, making the lake a major profit center for Venezuela. Current efforts are barely keeping up with the growth of the plant. Lake Maracaibo has been a favorite destination by both locals and foreign tourists. Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, is the unofficial lightning capital of the world. It's also … These range from the lake and parks, to standout public squares and historic churches, such as the Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquira (Basilica de Chiquinquira). Underneath the lake are large deposits from which the state-owned Venezuelan company PDVSA produces oil and gas. The lighter fresh water floats on top of the heavier salt water, which forms a dense layer on the bottom. 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. These nutrients may have triggered the duckweed's rapid expansion. In certain conditions, the weed may concentrate heavy metals and bacteria such as Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera. Others[who?] 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. According to scientists from the Institute for the Conservation of Lake Maracaibo (ICLAM), one of the government organizations charged with the care of Lake Maracaibo, the weed is probably native to the lake, but few studies have been conducted to confirm that suspicion. Lake Maracaibo acts as a major shipping route to the ports of Maracaibo and Cabimas. Built in 1957 over Lake Maracaibo, is recognized as one of the most impressive buildings in Venezuela. As of 2017, the last duckweed infestation was in 2010. Corrections? [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait, which is 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) wide at the northern end. Oil production began in the surrounding basin in 1914, with wells drilled by Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij, a predecessor of Royal Dutch Shell. Famous for its crab fisheries with. [24] The suffix -uela is used as a diminutive term (e.g., plaza / plazuela, cazo / cazuela); some have argued that the suffix was also intended to be pejorative. The 8.7-kilometre (5.4 mi) long General En Jefe Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, which was completed in 1962, spans the bay's outlet. In fact, it is the ancient lake this city is famous for. A 259 metres (850 ft) section of the bridge roadway fell into the water with a portion coming to rest across the tanker just a few feet from the ship's superstructure. It occurs on average 260 nights a year and up to 280 times per hour. The weather phenomenon known as the Catatumbo lightning at Lake Maracaibo regularly produces more lightning than any other place on the planet. Lake Maracaibo is actually one of the oldest on Earth, dating back 36 million years. Located at the mouth of the Catatumbo River in the southern portion of Lake Maracaibo is the world’s famous lightning hotspot. The General Rafael Urdaneta bridge is an imposing viaduct 8678 meters in length, also known as the Bridge over the lake, its construction began in the late 50s and spread over five years. The lightning is centered above the mouth of the river. Scientists at ICLAM disagree, saying that dispersants have been banned from the lake for years and, even if they were present, could not contain enough nutrients to support the current duckweed population. Covering over 36,657 square km, it is a hydrocarbon-rich region that has produced over 30 billion bbl of oil with an estimated 44 billion bbl yet to be recovered. The port town of Maracaibo was founded in 1529 on the western side. It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. The basin is characterized by a large shallow tidal estuary, Lake Maracaibo, located near its center. The phenomenon is depicted on the flag and coat of arms of the state of Zulia, which also contains Lake Maracaibo, and is mentioned in the state's anthem. Thousands of derricks protrude from the water and many more line the shore, while underwater pipelines transport the petroleum to storage tanks on the land. A program of mitigative measures to address the seismic risk was begun in 1988. The … The lake is quite shallow except toward the south, and it is surrounded by swampy lowlands. This set-up traps nutrients that have settled on the floor of the lake. Great Egret (Ardea alba) standing on a branch near lake Maracaibo in the Cienagas de Juan Manuel National Park. Local people call this phenomenon 'Relámpago del Catatumbo' (Catatumbo lightning). Many rivers flow into Lake Maracaibo, the most important being the Catatumbo River, a transportation artery for products from the adjacent regions and from the Colombian-Venezuelan highlands. General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge over Lake Maracaibo, northwestern Venezuela. Natural gas is also obtained. The Battle of Lake Maracaibo also known as the "Naval Battle of the Lake" was fought on 24 July 1823 on Venezuela's Lake Maracaibo between fleets under the commands of Republican Admiral José Prudencio Padilla and royalist Captain Ángel Laborde. 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. On April 6, 1964, at 11:45 pm, the tanker Esso Maracaibo, loaded with 236,000 barrels (37,500 m3) of crude oil, suffered a major electrical failure, so that control of steering was lost. The storms ease off in the dryer months of January and February and are most spectacular at … In Venezuela, at the mouth of the Catatumbo River where it meets the Lake Maracaibo, a unique and impressive natural phenomenon, variously known as the "Catatumbo lightning", the "Beacon of Maracaibo" or the “Everlasting Storm”, captures the eyes and attention of all observers there to witness it. Houses on stilts on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is a Caribbean estuary that for many years supported a strong commercial fishery. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In July 1821, the bay was the site of the Battle of Lake Maracaibo, an important battle in the Venezuelan War of Independence. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait, which is 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) wide at the northern end. Thus it collided with pier #31 of the two-year-old General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge across the mouth of the lake. Omissions? Lake Maracaibo has the highest bycatch rate for this species, with a casualty rate of 180 individuals/year. Due to the negligence of maintenance to the dike, many consider it to be a disaster in waiting, with the potential of an earthquake causing soil liquefaction and submerging a large population. [15][16] The basin also holds almost a quarter of Venezuela's population. In the spring of 2004, heavy rains disrupted the usual pattern. Lake Maracaibo is one of the world’s richest and most centrally located petroleum-producing regions. The first productive well was drilled in 1917, and the productive area has come to include a 65-mile (105-km) strip along the eastern shore, extending 20 miles (32 km) out into the lake. But Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for “highest concentration of lightning” with 250 lightning flashes per square kilometre each year. As one of Venezuela's largest cities, Maracaibo has a diverse range of landmarks and sights. It is the second oldest lake in the world that pours water into the Gulf of Venezuela. ), Although the Vespucci story remains the most popular and accepted version of the origin of the country's name, a different reason for the name comes up in the account of Martín Fernández de Enciso, a member of the Vespucci and Ojeda crew. Maracaibo has a a nice but sterile centre, that they try to posh up with old european styled parks - not very successful. The stilt houses reminded Vespucci of the city of Venice, (Spanish: Venecia, Italian: Venezia), so he named the region "Venezuela,"[23] meaning "little Venice" in Spanish. The lake basin hosts Venezuela's largest oil fields, and high concentrations of biodegradable dispersants that contain phosphates and polyaspartic acid – a chemical used to increase nutrient uptake in crops – have been found, a veritable feast for the plants. The basin surrounding Lake Maracaibo is known for its massive oil deposits. In his work Summa de Geografía, he states that they found an indigenous population who called themselves the "Veneciuela," which suggests that the name "Venezuela" may have evolved from the native word.[26]. The bridge over Lake Maracaibo. At this exact place, where the river enters South America's biggest lake, the lightning storm lights up the sky without stopping for nearly 10 hours per night, totaling 260 nights in just one year. Oh no! In terms of sheer size, the competition is decided easily, as Maracaibo is nearly 2,000 square miles larger than Titicaca. [17] A dredged channel gives oceangoing vessels access to the bay. As of June 18, 2004, a large portion (18%) of the surface of Lake Maracaibo is covered by duckweed, specifically Lemna. Oil pipelines are already leaking there. Additional sources of nutrients include untreated sewage discharge and fertilizers and other industrial waste flowing into the lake through rivers (97 percent of the country's raw sewage is discharged without treatment into the environment). The storm is not an odd fierce strike here and there. Maracaibo is nicknamed "The Beloved Land of the Sun" (Spanish: "La Tierra del Sol Amada"). Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Duckweed is not toxic to fish, but some scientists are concerned that it could deplete oxygen levels in the lake as it decays, asphyxiating large numbers of fish. In addition, there are regular accidents at oil pipelines with disastrous consequences for the environment. It is fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo. 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). There, lightning strikes occur, on average, 300 days a year. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The prodigious growth of the freshwater-marine plant is likely a self-purification mechanism. As recently as 2000, Lake Maracaibo supported 20,000 fishermen.[27]. Since the nationalization of the oil industry in 1976, maintenance of the dike systems has fallen upon the Venezuelan government to protect sub-sea-level areas like Tía Juana, Lagunillas, and Bachaquero from encroachment by the waters. Despite these problems, the weed may yet have some positive use; duckweed can be treated to be fed to poultry or to make paper. Historically, it was an important route for ships to reach the ports of Cabimas and Maracaibo. Maracaibo is fed by both salt water from the Caribbean and fresh water from numerous rivers. One such spectacular natural event is the Catatumbo Lightning in the lesser-known area of north-western Venezuela, where the Catatumbo River meets Lake Maracaibo. Though officials say the weed hasn't harmed fish yet, it is putting a dent in the local fishing industry. It is fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. ", "Huntington's disease: the new gene therapy that sufferers cannot afford", "Searching for a cure for Huntington's disease", https://www.bloomberg.com/businessweek/2000/00_51/c3712238.htm, "Lake Maracaibo: an announced environmental disaster", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lake_Maracaibo&oldid=1021626482, Articles with dead external links from October 2020, Articles with permanently dead external links, Short description is different from Wikidata, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without pushpin map alt, Articles using infobox body of water without alt bathymetry, Articles containing Spanish-language text, Articles containing Italian-language text, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from March 2012, Articles with unsourced statements from March 2012, Wikipedia articles with WorldCat-VIAF identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 5 May 2021, at 19:18. Updates? Lake Maracaibo is the largest lake in South America, and has long been known for its brilliant natural lightshows. Here, a thin strip of sand, scrub and palm trees separates the southern shore of Lake Maracaibo from Ologa Lagoon, where 30 or so brightly painted … Ongoing maintenance and improvements to the dike will be needed, as it continues to subside by as much as 7 cm/year (2.8 in/year).[28]. ", "Marine Invasions by Non-Sea Snakes, with Thoughts on Terrestrial–Aquatic–Marine Transitions", "Nitrogen cycling rates and light effects in tropical Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela", "Where are the lightning hotspots on Earth? The lake water in the southern portion is fresh, but a stronger tidal influence makes the northern waters somewhat brackish. Lake Titicaca competes with Lake Maracaibo of Venezuela for the honor of largest lake in South America. [citation needed]. However, seven motorists and passengers in vehicles crossing the bridge were killed. Lake Maracaibo, Spanish Lago de Maracaibo, large inlet of the Caribbean Sea, lying in the Maracaibo Basin of northwestern Venezuela. [1][2][3][4] It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. For many years a bar at the mouth of the lake, extending some 16 miles (26 km), restricted navigation to vessels drawing less than 13 feet (4 metres) of water. 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. Lake Maracaibo. Several settlements built out on stilts over the lake – palafitos – still exist in the south and south-west, notably at Lagunetas. It rages on for up to 10 hours each night. 17 August 2018, Venezuela, Maracaibo: Shore of Lake Maracaibo polluted by oil and garbage. …the sedimentary layers surrounding Venezuela’s, …waterways are utilized principally around. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo, pronounced [ˈlaɣo ðe maɾaˈkajβo] (listen)) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea". No oil spill occurred, and there were no deaths or serious injuries on the tanker. It is a city in a part of Venezuela known for its oil industry and drug trafficking. Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo earned a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for ‘highest concentration of lightning’ with 250 lightning flashes per square kilometre each year. There is some mystery as to how the plant came to reside in the waters of Lake Maracaibo. Due to the massive volume of oil removed in the Maracaibo Basin, some oil-producing areas adjacent to Lake Maracaibo have sunk, changing the geography of the region. Maracaibo is considered the economic center of the western part of Venezuela, owing to the petroleum industry that developed in the shores of Lake Maracaibo. The lake’s basin supplies about two-thirds of the total Venezuelan petroleum output. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The government has been spending $2 million monthly to clean the lake, and the state-run oil company Petroleos de Venezuela S.A. has created a $750 million cleanup fund. Maracaibo basin of northwestern Venezuela a predecessor of Royal Dutch Shell centrally located petroleum-producing.. Basin also holds almost a quarter of Venezuela 's largest cities, Maracaibo has been made to citation. For up to 280 times per hour used to clean lake maracaibo is famous for oil spills may have contributed to bay! Locals and foreign tourists to address the seismic risk was begun in 1988 an important route for ships reach., since it is the world that pours water into the Gulf of Venezuela 's largest cities, Maracaibo the... Another point of uncertainty is why the scale of the outbreak is so great itself... 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