Maracaibo
Flag Seal
Nickname: "La Tierra del Sol Amada" (English:"The Land Beloved by the Sun")
Motto: "Muy noble y leal"
Maracaibo Municipality in Zulia State
Coordinates: 10°39′14″N 71°38′26″W / 10.65389, -71.64056
Country	Venezuela
State	Zulia
Municipality	Maracaibo
Founded	1529
Government
- Mayor	Gian Carlo Di Martino (MVR)
Area
- Total	550 km² (212.4 sq mi)
Elevation	6 m (20 ft)
Population (2007)
- Total	3.250.000
- Density	4,218/km² (10,924.6/sq mi)
- Demonym	Marabino(a), Maracaibero(a), Maracucho(a)
Time zone	VST (UTC-4:30)
- Summer (DST)	not observed (UTC-4:30)
Postal codes	4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005
Area code(s)	0261
The area and population figures are for the municipality
Website: Alcaldía de Maracaibo (Spanish)

Maracaibo is the second-largest city in Venezuela after the national capital Caracas and is the capital of Zulia state. Based on the 2001 census information, the estimated population of Maracaibo in 2007 is 3,200,000 inhabitants. Image File history File links Mcbova. ... Image File history File links Banderademaracaibo. ... Image File history File links Escudo_de_Maracaibo. ... EXAMPLE:Laughbox,Blondie,BamBam,Pinkie,etc. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ... For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation). ... This is an alphabetical list of the sovereign states of the world, including both de jure and de facto independent states. ... Venezuela is divided into 23 states (estados), 1 Capital District (Distrito Capital) and the Federal Dependencies (Dependencias Federales de Ultramar) that consist of a large number of Venezuelan islands. ... Zulia State Anthem Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Maracaibo Area 63,100 km² Population (2001 est. ... Below the states, Venezuela is divided into municipalities. ... Events April 22 - Treaty of Saragossa divides the eastern hemisphere between Spain and Portugal, stipulating that the dividing line should lie 297. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... The Fifth Republic Movement (Spanish: Movimiento V [Quinta] República, MVR) is a left-wing political party in Venezuela which was founded by Hugo Chávez, the current President of Venezuela. ... This article is about the physical quantity. ... Square kilometre (US spelling: Square kilometer), symbol km², is an SI unit of surface area. ... A square mile is an English unit of area equal to that of a square with sides each 1 statute mile (≈1,609 m) in length. ... Elevation histogram of the surface of the Earth – approximately 71% of the Earths surface is covered with water. ... This article is about the unit of length. ... A foot (plural: feet or foot;[1] symbol or abbreviation: ft or, sometimes, ′ – a prime) is a unit of length, in a number of different systems, including English units, Imperial units, and United States customary units. ... Population density per square kilometre by country, 2006 Population density map of the world in 1994. ... A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a people or the inhabitants of a place. ... Timezone and TimeZone redirect here. ... Although DST is common in Europe and North America, most of the worlds people do not use it. ... A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating telephone number ranges to countries, regions, areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks such as mobile phone networks. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... Estado Zulia is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ...

Maracaibo is nicknamed La Tierra del Sol Amada ("The Land Beloved by the Sun").

History

House of the Capitulation (left), and Government Palace of Zulia state (right)

Maracaibo was founded in 1529 on the western side of Lake Maracaibo which is the dominant feature of the oil-rich Maracaibo Basin. Favoured by prevailing winds and a protected harbour, the city is located on the shores of the lake where the narrows, which eventually lead to the Gulf of Venezuela, first become pronounced. Image File history File links Casa_Capitulación. ... Image File history File links Casa_Capitulación. ... Events April 22 - Treaty of Saragossa divides the eastern hemisphere between Spain and Portugal, stipulating that the dividing line should lie 297. ... Lake Maracaibo from space, August 1985. ... The Maracaibo Basin in Western Venezuela is a prolific, oil-producing sedimentary basin. ... Satellite image of the Gulf of Venezuela The Gulf of Venezuela is a gulf of the Carribean Sea bounded by the Venezuelan states of Zulia and Falcón. ...

For about 390 years, Maracaibo remained isolated and separated from the rest of the country. Transportation was only possible across the lake by ferry or other marine transport.

Cars, buses, and lorries, with their constant flow of manufactured goods and agricultural product, depended on the ferry system between the city and the eastern shore with their roads to connect to the country's motorway system. Maracaibo and the Lake Maracaibo region's economy was more linked to Colombia than to eastern Venezuela due to the natural route available through Lake Maracaibo then leading to the sea.

This isolation was both a challenge and an advantage. The very nature of the city's location made for a population known for their independent thought and character. The history of this region is plagued with stories about the creation of an independent and sovereign nation apart from Venezuela, a nation called La República Independiente del Zulia, which means The Independent Republic of Zulia, but this has never come to be. Nevertheless, in the minds and hearts of many citizens of Zulia, this far-away dream is a long-lived desire. Zulia has all that is necessary to be a successful country: beautiful landscapes, fruits, vegetables, bread, people, and oil.

The dictatorial regime of General Marcos Pérez Jiménez in the 1950s set as a goal the construction of a bridge connecting the two lakeshores. Various bridge projects for the spanning of the Lake Maracaibo narrows near the city were in the works. The general's government had decided that this "city of independent thought" should be more "connected" to the rest of the country. Marcos Pérez Jiménez Marcos Pérez Jiménez (April 25, 1914 – September 20, 2001) was president of Venezuela from 1952 to 1958. ... The 1950s decade refers to the years 1950 to 1959 inclusive. ...

Proposals for a bridge design that included rail transport and tourist facilities were seriously considered. The fall of the Pérez Jiménez government on January 23, 1958, quickly led to a less elaborate design project that was approved and funded by a democratic and more conservative government. is the 23rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Jan. ...

The building of "El Puente Sobre El Lago de Maracaibo "General Rafael Urdaneta"—(General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge over Lake Maracaibo) named after the distinguished General hero of the War of Independence was opened to public traffic in 1962. The project was completed on schedule in 40 months. The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located on Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. ... Hero of the Latin American war for independence, Rafael José Urdaneta y Faría was born on October 24th, 1788, in the province of Maracaibo in Venezuela from an aristocratic family of spanish descent. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

This bridge construction project was a remarkable feat. Built under very difficult conditions, when completed, it became the longest prestressed concrete bridge in the world. The structure is in constant use and remains today as the most important link between Maracaibo, along with much of the state of Zulia, and the rest of Venezuela.

Maracaibo was elevated to the status of Roman Catholic Archdiocese on 30 April 1966 with the creation of the Archdiocese of Maracaibo ^[1]. Since November 2000, its Archbishop has been Ubaldo Ramón Santana Sequera. In some Christian churches, the diocese is an administrative territorial unit governed by a bishop, sometimes also referred to as a bishopric or episcopal see, though more often the term episcopal see means the office held by the bishop. ... is the 120th day of the year (121st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ...

Perspective

The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge

François de Pons, an agent to the French government in Caracas, provides some historical insight into the people of Maracaibo in his travel journal (de Pons 1806). The following excerpts describe the local population of Maracaibo: Image File history File links Ptelago. ... Image File history File links Ptelago. ... The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located on Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. ...

They perform coasting, or long voyages, with equal facility; and when all trade is suspended by the operations of war, they enter privateers. Bred up in the neighbourhood of the lake, they are mostly all expert swimmers and excellent divers. Their reputation stands equally high as soldiers. Those who do not enter into the sea service, form plantations, or assist in cultivating those, which belong to their fathers. Nothing proves better their aptitude for this kind of occupation, than the immense flocks of cattle with which the savannas of Maracaybo [sic] are covered.

He also notes the appreciation of literature, the arts, education, and culture among the people of Maracaibo:

But what confers the greatest honour on the inhabitants of Maracaibo, is their application to literature; in which, notwithstanding the wretched state of public education, they make considerable progress....They likewise acquired the art of elocution, and of writing their mother tongue with the greatest purity; in a word, they possessed all the qualities which characterise men of letters.

During the period of de Pons' visit, however, he believed the people of Maracaibo to lack integrity with regard to honouring their commitments:

After allowing that the inhabitants of this city possess activity, genius, and courage, we have nothing further to say in their praise. They are accused of violating their promises, and even of attempting to break through written engagements. Their character, in this respect, is so notorious, that every stranger whom business induces to visit Maracaybo, affirms, that it would be much better to enter into commercial speculations with the women, because they appear themselves to possess that sincerity and good sense which are every where else considered as belonging particularly to men.

Modern times

The City at Night

City view from Indiomara Area.

Maracaibo has become a large metropolitan city, comprised of two municipalities: to the north the municipality of Maracaibo and to the south the San Francisco municipality (established in 1995). In recent years, due to political/economic and cultural reasons, many have moved to Maracaibo from rural areas and other cities (including Caracas). Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ...

In the political arena, the citizens of Maracaibo (and most other cities and municipalities in Zulia state) have in recent years voted for a competitive political system in where the governor is from a certain political party and the mayor or mayors are from the opposite political party. This system has brought many good things to the city and the state; for example, if the governor builds a bridge, one of the mayors will build two, if a mayor cleans a public park, the governor retaliates by cleaning and remodelling another one. Currently the governor is Manuel Rosales from the Un Nuevo Tiempo party, and the mayor of Maracaibo, Giancarlo Di Martino, is from the Movimiento Quinta Republic party. Both parties are their opposite in Venezuelan politics; in the past the governor of the state was Francisco Arias Cárdenas from the Causa Radical and the mayor of Maracaibo was Rosales, the current governor. Manuel Antonio Rosales Guerrero (b. ... A New Era (Un Nuevo Tiempo) is a political party social democracy in Venezuela. ... The Fifth Republic Movement (Spanish: Movimiento V [Quinta] República, MVR) is a left-wing political party in Venezuela which was founded by Hugo Chávez, the current President of Venezuela. ... Arias (right) talking to Chávez during their days in the Venezuelan army Francisco Javier Arias Cárdenas (born on November 20, 1950 in San Cristóbal, Táchira) is a Venezuelan politician and career military officer. ... The R Cause (La Causa R) is a political party in Venezuela. ...

Maracaibo also boasts one of the best universities in the country, the state university. La Universidad del Zulia (LUZ) is well renowned for its excellent law and medical schools. Other major universities and schools include Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacin (URBE), with its excellent engineering school, and Universidad Rafael Urdaneta, with one of the country's leading psychology schools. The University of Zulia, located in Maracaibo, Venezuela, is one of the largest and most important universities in Venezuela. ...

Culture in Maracaibo is very indigenous and autochthonous, is recognized in every state and city in Venezuela, and is very influential with its gaitas, desserts, style, living, and customs. Most major houses of advertising in Venezuela acknowledge how opposite the culture of Maracaibo is from that of Caracas. Studies of both prove, for example, that Caracas' leading soft drink brand is Coke, while in Maracaibo it is Pepsi. This has made many brands create special localised advertising of their products (including several Pepsi commercials spoken by local celebrities). The gaita gruoping Maracaibo 15 appearing on the Venezuelan television channel Venevision in 2004 The Gaita is the name of a venezuelan folk music from Maracaibo, Zulia state, it is normally considered a christmas-time music. ... This article is about the beverage. ... Pepsi Cola is a non-alcoholic carbonated beverage produced and manufactured by PepsiCo. ...

The Maracuchos (and most of the inhabitants of Zulia state) are known to be the only users, in Venezuela, of the Castilian dialect, using words such as "vos" when referring to the second person singular, as is done in Argentina; in the rest of the country the word "tu" or "usted" is used. This has led Maracuchos to be recognized almost anywhere by their rough accent.

Maracuchos are extremely proud of their city, their culture, and all of Zulia. They usually claim that Venezuela wouldn't be the country it actually is without Zulia. Rivalry with inhabitants of other regions is common, specially with Gochos (people of the Mérida state) and Caraqueños (people of the city of Caracas). Mérida State Anthem Location within Venezuela Created (given current status) 1864 State capital Mérida Area 11,300 km² Population (2001 est. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ...

Unfortunately, the city of Maracaibo has no facilities to treat domestic sewage.^[2] All sewage is pumped into Lake Maracaibo, which along with the removal of the land bridge to the sea, has been responsible for transforming the lake from crystal clear waters teeming with fish to a brackish green mess.

Law and government

Plaza Bolívar of Maracaibo

Maracaibo has one municipality: Maracaibo Municipality, Venezuelan law specifies that municipal governments have four main functions: executive, legislative, comptroller, and planning. The executive function is managed by the mayor, who is in charge of representing the municipality's administration. The legislative branch is represented by the Municipal Council, composed of seven councillors, charged with the deliberation of new decrees and local laws. The comptroller tasks are managed by the municipal comptroller's office, which oversees accountancy. Finally, planning is represented by the Local Public Planning Council, which manages development projects for the municipality. Image File history File links Plaza_Bolívar,_Maracaibo. ... Image File history File links Plaza_Bolívar,_Maracaibo. ... A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning larger, greater) is the modern title of the highest ranking municipal officer. ... A councillor is a member of a council (such as a city council), particularly in the U.K. and its former colonies. ... Look up comptroller in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Accountancy (profession)[1] or accounting (methodology) is the measurement, statement or provision of assurance about financial information primarily used by managers, investors, tax authorities and other decision makers to make resource allocation decisions within companies, organizations, and public agencies. ...

Geography

This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone or spelling. You can assist by editing it now. A how-to guide is available. (July 2007)

Maracaibo is situated in the denominated Maracaibo plain. It has low fertility, with alluvial materials, and a dry-tropical forest. It presents good drainage of grounds, sewers and gorges. The city dominates the entrance to the Lake Maracaibo, because its location in the throat that unites it with the Gulf of Venezuela through a canal of the Lake. Image File history File links Acap. ... Lake Maracaibo from space, August 1985. ... Satellite image of the Gulf of Venezuela The Gulf of Venezuela is a gulf of the Carribean Sea bounded by the Venezuelan states of Zulia and Falcón. ...

Climate

Maracaibo is one of the cities of Venezuela, where the highest temperatures are registered, it has a severe warm climate, only attenuated by the moderating influence of the lake, it average historical temperature is 29 °C. In the past the climate of the city, as well in all the coast of the Lake Maracaibo, was unhealthy, due to the combination of high temperatures with high humidity, being a zone of an important deposit of plagues. At the present time, the effects of the urbanization, development and control of plagues, have almost eradicated this badly. The registered high temperature of the city is 41.0 °C, and the low 18.0 °C.

Colleges and universities

Several universities are based in the city:

• Universidad del Zulia - (LUZ)
• Universidad Nacional Experimental de la Fuerza Armada UNEFA
• Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacín - (URBE)
• Universidad Rafael Urdaneta
• Universidad Católica Cecilio Acosta
• Universidad Dr. José Gregorio Hernández
• [http://www.ubv.edu.ve/ Universidad Bolivariano de Venezuela sede Zulia.

The University of Zulia, located in Maracaibo, Venezuela, is one of the largest and most important universities in Venezuela. ...

Transportation

Plaza Baralt

Bella Vista

Sambil Mall, North Maracaibo

• The Maracaibo Metro, also known as Metro del Sol Amado (due to the city nickname), is a subway system currently under construction, it encompasses the suburbs of Maracaibo and Maracaibo itself as drop off point.
• Buses are the main means of mass transportation, this system runs a variety of bus types, operated by several companies on normal streets and avenues:
• bus; large buses.
• buseta; medium size buses.
• microbus or colectivo; vans or minivans.
• por puesto; cars.
• La Chinita International Airport, was opened on November 16, 1969, during the government of president Rafael Caldera to open a gate to the western part of the country and alleviate congestion from the Simon Bolivar Airport near Caracas, which manages about 90% of the international flights in Venezuela. In fact, the only international destinations from Maracaibo are Aruba, Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Curaçao, Miami and Panama City.
• General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, inaugurated in 1962, is located at the outlet Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. The bridge connects Maracaibo with much of the rest of the country. It is named after General Rafael Urdaneta, a Venezuelan hero in the War of Independence.

Made of concrete, it spans 8.7 kilometres (5.4 miles). The bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that carries only vehicles. The competition to design the bridge started in 1957 and was won by Riccardo Morandi, an Italian. Construction was done by several companies. They included: Grün & Bilfinger, Julius Berger, Bauboag AG, Philipp Holzmann AG, Precomprimido C.A., Wayss & Freytag and K Ingeniería. Image File history File links Plaza_Baralt. ... Image File history File links Plaza_Baralt. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2304 × 1728 pixel, file size: 451 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) picture taken on july 10, At the Amado Clinics rooftop in Maracaibo, the view shows bella vista area and part of the city skyline. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (2304 × 1728 pixel, file size: 451 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) picture taken on july 10, At the Amado Clinics rooftop in Maracaibo, the view shows bella vista area and part of the city skyline. ... The Maracaibo Metro, also known as Metro del Sol Amado (due to the city nickname), is a subway system currently under construction in Maracaibo, Venezuela. ... La Chinita International Airport (IATA: MAR, ICAO: SVMC) is an airport located at Maracaibo, Venezuela. ... is the 320th day of the year (321st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1969 (number) 1969 (movie) 1969 (Stargate SG-1) episode. ... Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez (born January 24, 1916) was president of Venezuela from 1969 to 1974 and again from 1994 to 1999. ... For other uses, see Bogotá (disambiguation). ... For other places with the same name, see Barranquilla (disambiguation). ... For other places with the same name, see Cartagena (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Curaçao (disambiguation). ... This article is about the city in Florida. ... This article is about the capital city of Panama. ... The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located on Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Lake Maracaibo from space, August 1985. ... This does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Hero of the Latin American war for independence, Rafael José Urdaneta y Faría was born on October 24th, 1788, in the province of Maracaibo in Venezuela from an aristocratic family of spanish descent. ... A kilometre (American spelling: kilometer) (symbol: km) is a unit of length equal to 1000 metres (from the Greek words khilia = thousand and metro = count/measure). ... “Miles” redirects here. ... A cable-stayed bridge is a bridge that consists of one or more columns (normally referred to as towers or pylons), with cables supporting the bridge deck. ... Year 1957 (MCMLVII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar). ... Riccardo Morandi (1 September 1902 - 25 December 1989) was an important Italian civil and structural engineer. ... Julius Berger may refer to: Julius Berger Construction Company Julius Berger Football Club of Nigeria This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ...

Sports

Águilas del Zulia logo

Due to the regionalistic nature of Marabinos, they strongly support their native teams. Maracaibo, and the rest of Zulia, are represented in baseball by the Águilas del Zulia, a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional,and which is based in the Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande. Regional teams include the Unión Atlético Maracaibo and the Deportivo Italmaracaibo in football, and the Gaiteros del Zulia in basketball, a team that participates in the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto de Venezuela, whose home is the 5.000-people Pedro Elías Belisario Aponte stadium. Image File history File links Águilas_del_Zulia_logo. ... Image File history File links Águilas_del_Zulia_logo. ... The Águilas del Zulia are a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional. ... This article is about the sport. ... The Águilas del Zulia are a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional. ... The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional (LVBP) is the highest level baseball league in Venezuela. ... Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande is a multi-use stadium in Maracaibo, Venezuela. ... Unión Atlético Maracaibo is a Venezuelan football team playing at the top level, the Primera División Venezolana. ... Soccer redirects here. ... This article is about the sport. ...

They city has one football stadium:

• Estadio José Pachencho Romero, constructed in 1971 for the Juegos Deportivos Bolivarianos, and redesigned in 1998, for the Juegos Deportivos Centroamericanos y del Caribe. It is named after an athlete from Zulia . With a capacity of 26 000 spectators is being extended to 35 000 for the Copa América 2007.

In the 2000 Little League World Series, the Sierra Maestra Little League of Maracaibo, Venezuela defeated Bellaire Little League of Bellaire, Texas in the championship game of the 54th Little League World Series. Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero is a soccer stadium located in the city of Maracaibo, Venezuela. ... Year 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1971 Gregorian calendar, known as the year of cyclohexanol. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Estado Zulia is one of the 23 states (estados) into which Venezuela is divided. ... The Copa América 2007 was the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for South America. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Sports teams

• Baseball: Águilas del Zulia BBC.
• Soccer: Unión Atlético Maracaibo, Deportivo Italmaracaibo
• Basket: Gaiteros del Zulia

The Águilas del Zulia are a Venezuelan winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional. ... Unión Atlético Maracaibo is a Venezuelan football team playing at the top level, the Primera División Venezolana. ...

Culture

Our Lady of Rosario of Chiquinquirá Basilica

El Saladillo district

An interesting aspect of the city, is the humor and the musical culture of its people, the Gaita Zuliana, is a traditional christmas music from the region. It is known that Maracaibo was culturally separated from the rest of Venezuela, for geographical and historical reasons. The Lake Maracaibo maintained separated the city, with its neighboring states and Caracas, capital of Venezuela. The people from Maracaibo, having been influenced by Andalusian colonists, apply the term "vos" instead of usted (English: "you"). The "vos" term, the fast speaking and the strong tone of the voice, produced a particular style, that nowadays is a “mark of origin” of the people from Maracaibo. Image File history File links Basilicachinita. ... Image File history File links Basilicachinita. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (907x680, 91 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Maracaibo ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (907x680, 91 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Maracaibo ... Holiday Song redirects here. ... Nickname: La Sultana del Avila (English:The Avilas Sultan) La Sucursal del paraiso Motto: Ave María Santísima, sin pecado concebida, en el primer instante de su ser natural. ... For other uses, see Andalusia (disambiguation). ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

The city is also home to an array of immigrants from but not limited to: Spain, Italy, Germany, and Latin American countries. The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, the freeway Machiques - Colón, and the ship transportation, unites the communications of the city, with the rest of Venezuela, this united with the oil boom, cultivated since 1914, is going to conform a new Maracaibo. Latin America consists of the countries of South America and some of North America (including Central America and some the islands of the Caribbean) whose inhabitants mostly speak Romance languages, although Native American languages are also spoken. ... The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located on Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. ... This article is about transport using water-based vehicles. ... Year 1914 (MCMXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Wednesday of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Our Lady of Rosario of Chiquinquirá

Main article: Our Lady of Rosario of Chiquinquirá

Is one of the many popular representations of the Virgin Mary in Venezuela. The image is most venerated in Maracaibo. The story of discovery of the virgin dates from the XVIII century. An old lady would make a living by washing other people's clothes, a job she did every morning at the shores of the lake. On 18th November, 1709, she had taken a bulk of clothes, and as usual, headed to the lake to start washing them. This old lady was at her chores when she saw a wooden board floating towards her. She picked it up thinking that it might be of some use. When she finished her work, she went home carrying the clothes, the board and a small vase with fresh water. She then placed the board on top of the vase. Then, she noticed a small figure in the board but could not tell what it was like. One of the many popular representations of the Virgin Mary by the people of Venezuela. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... (Redirected from 18th November) November 18 is the 322nd day of the year (323rd in leap years), with 43 remaining. ... // Events January 12 - Two-month freezing period begins in France - The coast of the Atlantic and Seine River freeze, crops fail and at least 24. ...

She fell asleep, and when she awoke up it was already late and dark. She decided to go to a local grocery store to buy some candles. On her way back a small gathering of people had formed outside her house, and after coming closer she noted that her home was filled with light. After entering she and some of the neighbours witnessed the small wooden board floating in the air surrounded by light with a bright crisp image of the Virgin Mary. At this, everyone was amazed and called the event a miracle.

Since that day the street where she lived was renamed "El Milagro" which means ¨Miracle¨ in Spanish, and to this day it is one of the most important streets in the neighbourhood of "El Saladillo" in the city of Maracaibo.

Gaita Zuliana

Main article: Gaita (music style)

The Gaita is the name of a Venezuelan folk music from Maracaibo, it is normally considered a christmas-time music. According to Joan Corominas, it may come from gaits, the Gothic word for "goat", the skin generally used for the membrane of the furro. It popularized in the middle 60's of the XX century in all the country, and it fused with other types of music like salsa and merengue in the 70's. There are many famous Gaita groups like: Maracaibo 15, Gran Coquivacoa, Barrio Obrero, Cardenales del Éxito, Guaco (when Guaco started was a gaita group, now is a Tropical music band), Koquimba, Melody Gaita, Estrellas del Zulia, Saladillo, and many others. The gaita gruoping Maracaibo 15 appearing on the Venezuelan television channel Venevision in 2004 The Gaita is the name of a venezuelan folk music from Maracaibo, Zulia state, it is normally considered a christmas-time music. ... For other uses, see Music (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Christmas (disambiguation). ... A friction drum is a musical instrument found in various forms in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. ... Salsa music is a diverse and predominantly Spanish Caribbean genre that is popular across Latin America and among Latinos abroad. ... Merengue is a type of lively, joyful music and dance that comes from the Dominican Republic [1]. It is popular in the Dominican Republic. ... Maracaibo 15 appearing on the Venezuelan television channel Venevision in 2004 Maracaibo 15 is a Venezuelan gaita group. ... // The Gaita group Gran Coquivacoa was created in 1968 by “Bocachico” Petit, Nelson Suárez, Rody Tigrera, Pedro Arteaga and Manolo Salazar, in the Ambrosio district of Cabimas, Zulia state). ... The Guaco Band Famous band from Venezuela that plays Gaitas Zulianas, formed in Maracaibo, Zulia_State in 1960, was originally touted as a rebel band against the traditional way of playing Gaitas, and later became a landmark of the genre. ... Gaita is the Spanish and Portuguese name for the bagpipe used in Galicia, Asturias and northern Portugal. ...

Notable natives

Carabobo street, of El Empedrado neighborhood

Lago Mall

Maracaibo Cathedral

• Rafael Urdaneta - hero of the Latin American war for independence
• Rafael Maria Baralt - Artillery captain, engineer, journalist, historian, philologist, and writer.
• Juan Bautista Fuenmayor - Historian, politician, lawyer, teacher, and founder of the first petroleum syndicates.
• Jesus Enrique Lossada - Journalist, lawyer, parliamentary, President of the Universidad del Zulia, teacher, writer.
• Carlos Meyer - fighter pilot. Only Latin American member (though ethnic German) of the Red Baron's flying circus, awarded the Iron Cross during World War I. [1]
• Armando Molero - Songwriter.
• Francisco Ochoa - First President of the Universidad del Zulia.
• Udon Perez - Author of the Zulia State Anthem.
• Andres Javier Pimentel - Famous investor
• Francisco Javier Pirela - Conspirator against the Spanish Crown.
• Nick Pocock - Former cricketer, ex-captain of Hampshire.
• Venancio Pulgar - Zulian caudillo, partisan for the independence of the region.
• Joaquin Primo de Rivera - Governor, shifted industrialization in the state.
• Blas Valbuena - Medician
• Ricardo Aguirre - Composer and singer
• Humberto Fernández Morán - A research scientist. He developed the diamond scalpel and founded "IVIC", the Venezuelan scientific research institute ("Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Cientificas")
• Luis Aparicio - Former shortstop in Major League Baseball and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Wilson Alvarez - former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher
• Ricardo Montaner - Latin pop singer and composer.
• Guaco - Tropical music band.
• Patricia Velásquez - Actress and fashion model.
• David Cubillan - Basketball player, Marquette University.
• Ninibeth Leal - Miss World 1991
• Vivian Urdaneta - Miss International 2000
• Monica Spear - Miss Universe 2005 4th runner up
• Lupita Ferrer - actress
• Lila Morillo - actress & singer
• Gilberto Correa - TV host
• Daniel Sarcos - TV host
• Chiquinquirá Delgado - actress & TV host
• Orlando Urdaneta - actor
• Betulio González - former boxer
• Juan Pablo Guanipa - Political leader
• Ramon Perez Rodiguez- President of ESRI Venezuela. Urban Planner

Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 596 pixelsFull resolution (2320 × 1728 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 596 pixelsFull resolution (2320 × 1728 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Hero of the Latin American war for independence, Rafael José Urdaneta y Faría was born on October 24th, 1788, in the province of Maracaibo in Venezuela from an aristocratic family of spanish descent. ... The University of Zulia, located in Maracaibo, Venezuela, is one of the largest and most important universities in Venezuela. ... Ethnic Germans – often simply called Germans – are those who are considered, by themselves or others, to be ethnically German but do not live within the present-day Federal Republic of Germany, nor necessarily hold its citizenship. ... Red Baron may refer to: Manfred von Richthofen, World War I flying ace Red Baron, a popular computer game Red Baron, an arcade game by Atari. ... A stylized version of the Iron Cross, the emblem of the Bundeswehr, Germanys Armed Forces. ... “The Great War ” redirects here. ... Armando Molero, was born in November 22, 1900, is not known exactly where, but it is speculated that could be in the Puertos de Altagracia, the Moján, the island of Toas or Quisiro, what if is known with certainty is that from boy he felt attracted by music. ... The University of Zulia, located in Maracaibo, Venezuela, is one of the largest and most important universities in Venezuela. ... The anthem of the Zulia State, Venezuela, has the lyrics written by Udón Pérez, and the music corresponds to José Antonio Chávez. ... Nicholas Edward Julian Pocock (born 15 December 1951 in Maracaibo, Venezuela) was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire from 1976 to 1984. ... // Ricardo Aguirre González Ricardo Jose Aguirre González, was born in Maracaibo, May 9, 1939 and died in that same city, November 8, 1969. ... Humberto Fernández-Morán (1924 - 1999) was the founder of the Venezuelan Institute for Neurological and Brain Studies (IVNIC in Spanish), the predecessor of the current Venezuelan Institute of Scientific Research (IVIC). ... Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel (born April 29, 1934 in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela) is a former shortstop in professional baseball and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. ... Wilson Eduardo Alvarez Fuenmayor (born March 24, 1970 in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who played in 13 seasons for the Texas Rangers (1989), Chicago White Sox (1991–1997), San Francisco Giants (1997), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998–2002) and Los Angeles... Latin pop singer Ricardo Montaner was born as Hector Eduardo Reglero Montaner on September 8, 1957 in Valentín Alsina, Lanús Partido (county), Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, but moved to Venezuela when he was 7 years old. ... Gauco, huaco, or guao, also vejuco and bejuco are terms applied to various Central and South American, and West Indian plants, reputed to have curative powers. ... Patricia Carola Velásquez Semprún (born January 31, 1971) is a Venezuelan actress and fashion model. ... Marquette University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the United States of America. ... Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Jiminez (born in Venezuela) won the Miss World 1991 beauty pageant, held in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Australia (Leanne Buckle) and South Africa (Diana Tilden-Davis) were the runners up. ... The 41st Miss World Pageant was held on December 28, 1991 in World Conference Center, Atlanta, Georgia (state), USA. The winner was Ninibeth Beatriz Leal Rodrgiuez (Queen of Americas) from the Venezuela. ... Vivian Inés Urdaneta Rincón is the winner of the 2000 Miss International beauty pageant. ... Monica Spear Mootz (born October 1, 1984 in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela) is a model and former Miss Venezuela 2005. ... The Miss Universe 2005 Pageant was held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 31, 2005, to help the tsunami-struck nation win tourists back to the area. ... Lupita Ferrer Lupita Ferrer (b. ... Lila Morillo (born August 14, 1942), is a well known Venezuelan actress. ... Daniel Sarcos is a television show host from Venezuela. ... María Chiquinquirá Delgado Díaz (born 7 August 1972 in Maracaibo), is a Venezuelan actress and also Mega Matchs show host since 2002. ... Orlando Urdaneta is a well-known Venezuelan actor and television personality. ... Betulio Gonzalez (born October 24, 1949), is a former boxer from Venezuela. ...

Districts

Sister cities

Maracaibo has one sister cities:^[3] Sign denoting twin towns of Neckarsulm, Germany Town twinning is a concept whereby towns or cities in geographically and politically distinct areas are paired with the goal of fostering human contact and cultural links. ...

• New Orleans, United States of America

Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, United States of America. ... Motto: (traditional) In God We Trust (official, 1956–present) Anthem: The Star-Spangled Banner Capital Washington, D.C. Largest city New York City Official language(s) None at the federal level; English de facto Government Federal Republic  - President George W. Bush (R)  - Vice President Dick Cheney (R) Independence - Declared - Recognized...

Skyline

Panoramic view of Maracaibo from the lake

Panoramic view of 5 de julio area, Maracaibo

Panoramic view of Maracaibo

Panoramic view of Maracaibo and part of Zulia University's campus

black and white Panoramic view of Maracaibo

Panoramic view of Maracaibo from Isla Dorada, North.

Maracaibo view from El Milagro area.

Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x233, 117 KB) Vista parcial de la zona norte de Maracaibo desde Los Puertos de Altagracia en la Costa Oriental del Lago de Maracaibo. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high-resolution version (1600x233, 117 KB) Vista parcial de la zona norte de Maracaibo desde Los Puertos de Altagracia en la Costa Oriental del Lago de Maracaibo. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 162 pixelsFull resolution (8017 × 1627 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 162 pixelsFull resolution (8017 × 1627 pixel, file size: 2. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 99 pixelsFull resolution (3376 × 419 pixel, file size: 259 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) picture of maracaibo, venezuela. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 99 pixelsFull resolution (3376 × 419 pixel, file size: 259 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) picture of maracaibo, venezuela. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 153 pixelsFull resolution (8190 × 1568 pixel, file size: 5. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 153 pixelsFull resolution (8190 × 1568 pixel, file size: 5. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 185 pixelsFull resolution (4709 × 1090 pixel, file size: 454 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) B&W picture of maracaibo taken on july 26 2007. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 800 × 185 pixelsFull resolution (4709 × 1090 pixel, file size: 454 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) B&W picture of maracaibo taken on july 26 2007. ...

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to:

Maracaibo

• (Spanish) Maracaibo en Internet
• (Spanish) Panorama Digital -Largest Maracaibo based newspaper
• (Spanish) [2] Cada lugar en Maracaibo, Directorio de empresas.
• (Spanish) La Verdad - Maracaibo-based independent newspaper.
• (Spanish) Maracaibo de Noche Nightlife and entertainment in Maracaibo.
• (Spanish) Maracaibo Wiki A wiki based Maracaibo guide.
• (Spanish) Maracaibo Guide

• Maracaibo is at coordinates 10°39′14″N 71°38′26″W / 10.654, -71.6406 (Maracaibo)Coordinates: 10°39′14″N 71°38′26″W / 10.654, -71.6406 (Maracaibo)

Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...

Line note references

References

de Pons, François (1806), written at New York, A Voyage to the Eastern Part of Terra Firma, or the Spanish Main, in South-America, during the years 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804, I. Riley and Company This article is about the state. ...

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Puerto Ayacucho, Amazonas  · Barcelona, Anzoátegui  · San Fernando de Apure, Apure  · Maracay, Aragua  · Barinas, Barinas  · Ciudad Bolívar, Bolívar  · Valencia, Carabobo  · San Carlos, Cojedes  · Tucupita, Delta Amacuro  · Santa Ana de Coro, Falcón · San Juan de los Morros, Guárico  · Barquisimeto, Lara  · Mérida, Mérida  · Los Teques, Miranda  · Maturín, Monagas  · La Asunción, Nueva Esparta  · Guanare, Portuguesa  · Cumaná, Sucre  · San Cristóbal, Táchira  · Trujillo, Trujillo  · La Guaira, Vargas  · San Felipe, Yaracuy  · Maracaibo, Zulia