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It rages on for up to 10 hours each night. 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. …the sedimentary layers surrounding Venezuela’s, …waterways are utilized principally around. 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. Picture: Wikimedia Commons Source:Supplied. 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. There, lightning strikes occur, on average, 300 days a year. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. The lightning is centered above the mouth of the river. 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. 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. Fisher man at work removing crabs from his perche on the lake of Maracaibo. General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge over Lake Maracaibo, northwestern Venezuela. [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 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. The storms ease off in the dryer months of January and February and are most spectacular at … Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. ), 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. The … A program of mitigative measures to address the seismic risk was begun in 1988. 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. 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. An atmospheric event that occurs where the Catatumbo River enters the Lake Maracaibo became known as Catatumbo lightning. Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela, is the unofficial lightning capital of the world. 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 storm is not an odd fierce strike here and there. 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 … 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. 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. In addition, there are regular accidents at oil pipelines with disastrous consequences for the environment. It is the second oldest lake in the world that pours water into the Gulf of Venezuela. 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. 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. Updates? 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. It is named after the Catatumbo River, which enters Lake Maracaibo on its southern shore. Duckweed further threatens the local ecosystem by choking out other plants as it shades large portions of the lake. In July 1823, the bay was the site of the Battle of Lake Maracaibo, an important battle in the Venezuelan War of Independence. [1][2][3][4] It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. Built in 1957 over Lake Maracaibo, is recognized as one of the most impressive buildings in Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is actually one of the oldest on Earth, dating back 36 million years. Historically, it was an important route for ships to reach the ports of Cabimas and Maracaibo. It is the only known region in Venezuela where a dolphin species is exploited for human consumption. It occurs on average 260 nights a year and up to 280 times per hour. As of June 18, 2004, a large portion (18%) of the surface of Lake Maracaibo is covered by duckweed, specifically Lemna. It's also … Lake Maracaibo, Spanish Lago de Maracaibo, large inlet of the Caribbean Sea, lying in the Maracaibo Basin of northwestern Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is one of the world’s richest and most centrally located petroleum-producing regions. 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. In certain conditions, the weed may concentrate heavy metals and bacteria such as Salmonella and Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes cholera. At first glance, Maracaibo does not seem like much of a tourist attraction. Omissions? 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. Maracaibo is nicknamed "The Beloved Land of the Sun" (Spanish: "La Tierra del Sol Amada"). Thus it collided with pier #31 of the two-year-old General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge across the mouth of the lake. The original concessions to oil companies purposefully assigned swamps and wetlands along the east border of the lakes for facilities. Local people call this phenomenon 'Relámpago del Catatumbo' (Catatumbo lightning). 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. 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". The sudden influx of fresh water stirred the layers, allowing nutrients to float to the top, where duckweed and other plants reside. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait, which is 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) wide at the northern end. These nutrients may have triggered the duckweed's rapid expansion. 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. Oil production began in the surrounding basin in 1914, with wells drilled by Bataafsche Petroleum Maatschappij, a predecessor of Royal Dutch Shell. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. 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 … 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). Lake Maracaibo. 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. Several settlements built out on stilts over the lake – palafitos – still exist in the south and south-west, notably at Lagunetas. Lake Maracaibo is one of the world’s richest and most centrally located petroleum-producing regions. Lake Maracaibo has a reputation for its lightning that dates back before the start of written history. 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. Crab fishing on the Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. 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. Oh no! 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. 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. Great Egret (Ardea alba) standing on a branch near lake Maracaibo in the Cienagas de Juan Manuel National Park. Lake Maracaibo has been a favorite destination by both locals and foreign tourists. Despite these problems, the weed may yet have some positive use; duckweed can be treated to be fed to poultry or to make paper. 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 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). It is fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo. It is a city in a part of Venezuela known for its oil industry and drug trafficking. 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). The lightning itself acted as a kind of beacon for navigators. Lake Maracaibo acts as a major shipping route to the ports of Maracaibo and Cabimas. The lake water in the southern portion is fresh, but a stronger tidal influence makes the northern waters somewhat brackish. The bridge over Lake Maracaibo. 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]. 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. Natural gas is also obtained. The plant clogs the motors of small boats, making it impossible for fishers to launch their vessels. The lighter fresh water floats on top of the heavier salt water, which forms a dense layer on the bottom. 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 basin surrounding Lake Maracaibo is known for its massive oil deposits. 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. https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/where-is-the-brackish-lake-maracaibo.html 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. Lake Titicaca competes with Lake Maracaibo of Venezuela for the honor of largest lake in South America. Flying Great Egret near Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. ", "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. 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. It is fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo. See Researcher’s Note: Lake Titicaca versus Lake Maracaibo. 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. This set-up traps nutrients that have settled on the floor of the lake. 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 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. 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. [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. Underneath the lake are large deposits from which the state-owned Venezuelan company PDVSA produces oil and gas. Current efforts are barely keeping up with the growth of the plant. Located at the mouth of the Catatumbo River in the southern portion of Lake Maracaibo is the world’s famous lightning hotspot. 17 August 2018, Venezuela, Maracaibo: Shore of Lake Maracaibo polluted by oil and garbage. Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea". The lake is quite shallow except toward the south, and it is surrounded by swampy lowlands. Oil pipelines are already leaking there. In fact, it is the ancient lake this city is famous for. Furthermore, chemicals used to clean up oil spills may have contributed to the duckweed problem. The port town of Maracaibo was founded in 1529 on the western side. The phenomenon has been known for centuries as the "Lighthouse of Maracaibo", since it is visible for miles around Lake Maracaibo. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [citation needed]. Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo is a Caribbean estuary that for many years supported a strong commercial fishery. 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]. 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. [15][16] The basin also holds almost a quarter of Venezuela's population. However, the pollution of … 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. ", "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? Lake Maracaibo is the largest lake in South America, and has long been known for its brilliant natural lightshows. Lake Maracaibo has the highest bycatch rate for this species, with a casualty rate of 180 individuals/year. In terms of sheer size, the competition is decided easily, as Maracaibo is nearly 2,000 square miles larger than Titicaca. The basin is characterized by a large shallow tidal estuary, Lake Maracaibo, located near its center. [25] (Examples of palafitos can still be found in "Santa Rosa", an area in the city of Maracaibo. 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. As one of Venezuela's largest cities, Maracaibo has a diverse range of landmarks and sights. The lake sits along the Andes … It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. Maracaibo is fed by both salt water from the Caribbean and fresh water from numerous rivers. [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 weather phenomenon known as the Catatumbo lightning at Lake Maracaibo regularly produces more lightning than any other place on the planet. Maracaibo has a a nice but sterile centre, that they try to posh up with old european styled parks - not very successful. Famous for its crab fisheries with. 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. However, seven motorists and passengers in vehicles crossing the bridge were killed. 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. The lake’s basin supplies about two-thirds of the total Venezuelan petroleum output. [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 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 Though officials say the weed hasn't harmed fish yet, it is putting a dent in the local fishing industry. In July 1821, the bay was the site of the Battle of Lake Maracaibo, an important battle in the Venezuelan War of Independence. 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. 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. The surrounding Maracaibo Basin contains large reserves of crude oil, making the lake a major profit center for Venezuela. 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. Unfortunately, the water there is slightly saline and is not good for frolicking and swimming. Lake Maracaibo acts as a major shipping route to the ports of Maracaibo and Cabimas. No oil spill occurred, and there were no deaths or serious injuries on the tanker. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Since we are talking about Maracaibo, it would not be fair if we do not mention Lake Maracaibo. The 8.7-kilometre (5.4 mi) long General En Jefe Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, which was completed in 1962, spans the bay's outlet. Corrections? Others[who?] 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). 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. There is some mystery as to how the plant came to reside in the waters of Lake Maracaibo. The prodigious growth of the freshwater-marine plant is likely a self-purification mechanism. Houses on stilts on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. As of 2017, the last duckweed infestation was in 2010. [17] A dredged channel gives oceangoing vessels access to the bay. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. As recently as 2000, Lake Maracaibo supported 20,000 fishermen.[27]. Another point of uncertainty is why the scale of the outbreak is so great. In the spring of 2004, heavy rains disrupted the usual pattern. Back before the start of written history the second oldest lake in the Cienagas de Juan Manuel National Park shallow... Caribbean estuary that for many years supported a strong commercial fishery but a stronger tidal influence makes northern... Area in the waters of lake Maracaibo of Venezuela for the environment has highest!, that they try to posh up with the growth of the most buildings! A nice but sterile centre, that they try to posh up with the of. State-Owned Venezuelan company PDVSA produces oil and garbage Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students the concessions... Venezuela 's population lake Titicaca competes with lake Maracaibo has a diverse range of landmarks and sights is as! 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