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	Manuel Rosales
Area
- Total	550 km² (212. A nickname is a Name of an entity or thing that is not its Proper name. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This list of countries, arranged alphabetically Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the Venezuela is divided into 23 states (estados, 1 Capital District (Distrito Capital and the Federal Dependencies (Dependencias Federales Estado Zulia is one of Venezuela 's 23 states ''(estados''. The state capital is Maracaibo. Municipalities of Venezuela are divisions of the states. Municipalities and their seats Amazonas Alto Orinoco ( A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government Manuel Antonio Rosales Guerrero (b December 12 1952, in Santa Bárbara del Zulia) is a Venezuelan politician and current governor of the Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. Square Kilometre ( US spelling square kilometer) symbol km2, is a decimal multiple of the SI unit of 4 sq mi)
Elevation	6 m (20 ft)
Population (2007)
- Total	3. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit 250. 000
- Density	4,218/km² (10,924. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 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. A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place Venezuela uses UTC-430. Until 2007-12-30 it used UTC-4. The official time zone of Venezuela is determined by meridian 67° 30' west of Greenwich, UTC-430 is a time offset used only for Venezuela. Venezuela (VST— Venezuelan Standard Time) Daylight saving time ( DST UTC-430 is a time offset used only for Venezuela. Venezuela (VST— Venezuelan Standard Time) A telephone numbering plan is a plan for allocating Telephone number ranges to countries regions areas and exchanges and to non-fixed telephone networks Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the Caracas (kaˈɾakas is the Capital and largest city of Venezuela. Estado Zulia is one of Venezuela 's 23 states ''(estados''. The state capital is Maracaibo. Based on the 2001 census information, the estimated population of Maracaibo in 2007 is 3,200,000 inhabitants.

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. Lake Maracaibo is a large Brackish Lake in Venezuela at. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait (55km on the northern edge The Maracaibo Basin in Western Venezuela is a prolific oil-producing sedimentary 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. The Gulf of Venezuela or gulf of Coquivacoa is a gulf of the Caribbean 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. Colombia (kəˈlʌmbɪə officially the Republic of Colombia () is a country in northwestern South America.

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. Marcos Pérez Jiménez ( April 25, 1914 &ndash September 20, 2001) was a soldier and President of Venezuela from 1952 The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive 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.

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. Events 393 - Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor Year 1958 ( MCMLVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

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 General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located at the outlet Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. Rafael José Urdaneta y Faría ( Maracaibo, Venezuela, October 24, 1788 &ndash Paris, France, August 23 Year 1962 ( MCMLXII) was a Common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The project was completed on schedule in 40 months.

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]. In many rites of the Roman Catholic Church and in Anglican churches, a diocese is an administrative territorial unit administered by a Bishop. Events 313 - Roman emperor Licinius unifies the entire Eastern Roman Empire under his rule Year 1966 ( MCMLXVI) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. The Archdiocese of Maracaibo is an Archdiocese in Venezuela. Since November 2000 its Archbishop has been Ubaldo Ramón Santana Sequera. Since November 2000, its Archbishop has been Ubaldo Ramón Santana Sequera.

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 General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located at the outlet Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. The following excerpts describe the local population of Maracaibo:

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

Circunvalación 1 Highway

Plaza Bolívar of Maracaibo

City view from Indio Mara Area

Maracaibo has become a large metropolitan city, comprising two municipalities: to the north the municipality of Maracaibo and to the south the San Francisco municipality (established in 1995). Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 In recent years, due to political/economic and cultural reasons, many have moved to Maracaibo from rural areas and other cities (including Caracas). Caracas (kaˈɾakas is the Capital and largest city of Venezuela.

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. Manuel Antonio Rosales Guerrero (b December 12 1952, in Santa Bárbara del Zulia) is a Venezuelan politician and current governor of the A New Era (UNT Un Nuevo Tiempo) is a Political party of Social democracy in Venezuela. The Fifth Republic Movement ( Spanish: Movimiento V República, MVR) was a left-wing Political party in Venezuela 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. Francisco Javier Arias Cárdenas (born on November 20, 1950 in San Cristóbal, Táchira) is a Venezuelan politician and career military The Radical Cause ( La Causa Radical or La Causa Я) is a Socialist 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. The University of Zulia ( Spanish La Universidad del Zulia also known as LUZ literally meaning "light" in spanish) is a public university whose Main Campus is 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.

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. The Gaita is the name of a Venezuelan folk Music from Maracaibo, Zulia state 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. Coca-Cola is a carbonated Soft drink sold in stores restaurants and Vending machines in more than 200 countries Pepsi-Cola is a carbonated beverage that is produced and manufactured by PepsiCo. This has made many brands create special localised advertising of their products (including several Pepsi commercials spoken by local celebrities).

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). Estado Mérida is one of the 23 states ''(estados'' into which Venezuela is divided Caracas (kaˈɾakas is the Capital and largest city of Venezuela.

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

Lía Bermudez Art Center

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. A mayor (from the Latin māior, meaning "greater" is a modern title used in many countries for the highest ranking officer in a municipal government The legislative branch is represented by the Municipal Council, composed of seven councillors, charged with the deliberation of new decrees and local laws. A councillor or councilor ( Cllr, Coun, Clr or Cr for short is a member of a Local government council such as a The comptroller tasks are managed by the municipal comptroller's office, which oversees accountancy. A comptroller or controller (kənˈtroʊlər ˈkɑmˌtroʊ- also financial controller, abrv Accountancy or accounting is the measurement statement or provision of assurance about financial information primarily used by Lenders managers, Finally, planning is represented by the Local Public Planning Council, which manages development projects for the municipality.

Geography

The city of Maracaibo is located at the denominated Maracaibo plain. It has low fertility, typical of a dry-tropical forest. It presents a great number of rivers, sewers and gorges. The city dominates the entrance to Lake Maracaibo. Lake Maracaibo is a large Brackish Lake in Venezuela at. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait (55km on the northern edge

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, its average historical temperature is 29 °C. Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the 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. At the present time, the effects of urban development, and control of plagues, has almost eradicated that. 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 ( Spanish La Universidad del Zulia also known as LUZ literally meaning "light" in spanish) is a public university whose Main Campus is

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 with the city's downtown. The Maracaibo Metro, also known as Metro del Sol Amado (due to the nickname of Maracaibo) opened to the public November 25 2006
• 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. La Chinita International Airport is an Airport located at Maracaibo, Venezuela. Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Rafael Antonio Caldera Rodríguez (born January 24 1916 was President of Venezuela from 1969 to 1974 and again from 1994 to 1999 In fact, the only international destinations from Maracaibo are Aruba, Bogotá, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Curaçao, Miami and Panama City. Aruba is a -long island of the Lesser Antilles in the southern Caribbean Sea, north of the Paraguaná Peninsula, Falcón State, Venezuela Bogotá —officially named Bogotá DC (DC for " Distrito Capital " which means "Capital District" formerly called Santa Fe de Bogotá Barranquilla, an industrial portuary and special district is a city and municipality located in northern Colombia by the Caribbean sea. Cartagena de Indias (kaɾtaˈhena ð̞e ˈin̪d̪jas in Spanish; the usual English pronunciation is ˌkɑrtəˈheɪnə deɪ ˈɪndiəs is a large city Curaçao (ˈkjuːrəsaʊ in English Dutch: Curaçao, Papiamento: Kòrsou) is an Island in the southern Caribbean Sea, Panama City (Ciudad de Panamá is the Capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama.
• General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge, inaugurated in 1962, is located at the outlet Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located at the outlet 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 is a large Brackish Lake in Venezuela at. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait (55km on the northern edge Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the 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. Rafael José Urdaneta y Faría ( Maracaibo, Venezuela, October 24, 1788 &ndash Paris, France, August 23

Made of concrete, it spans 8. 7 kilometres (5. The kilometre ( American spelling: kilometer) symbol km is a unit of Length in the Metric system, equal to one thousand 4 miles). A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States The bridge is a cable-stayed bridge that carries only vehicles. A The competition to design the bridge started in 1957 and was won by Riccardo Morandi, an Italian. 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 Italian Civil engineer best known for his interesting use of Reinforced concrete. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest 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.

Sports

Águilas del Zulia logo

Due to the regionalistic nature of Marabinos, they strongly support their native teams. The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan Winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular 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. Baseball is a Bat-and-ball Sport played between two teams of nine players each The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan Winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams 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. 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. Unión Atlético Maracaibo is a Venezuelan football team playing at the top level the Primera División Venezolana. Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a Team sport played between two teams of eleven players and is widely considered Basketball is a team Sport in which two teams of five active players each try to score points against one another by propelling a ball through a 10 feet (3 m 000-people Pedro Elías Belisario Aponte stadium.

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. 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. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) It is named after an athlete from Zulia . Estado Zulia is one of Venezuela 's 23 states ''(estados''. The state capital is Maracaibo. With a capacity of 26 000 spectators is being extended to 35 000 for the Copa América 2007. The Copa América 2007 was the 42nd edition of the Copa América, the main international football tournament for South America.

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. The Little League World Series took place August 20 and August 26 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Sports teams

• Baseball: Águilas del Zulia BBC. The Águilas del Zulia is a Venezuelan Winter league team that plays in the Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional, and one of the most popular teams
• Soccer: Unión Atlético Maracaibo, Deportivo Italmaracaibo
• Basket: Gaiteros del Zulia

Culture

Our Lady of Rosario of Chiquinquirá Basilica

Colonial zone of Maracaibo

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. Unión Atlético Maracaibo is a Venezuelan football team playing at the top level the Primera División Venezolana. It is known that Maracaibo was culturally separated from the rest of Venezuela, for geographical and historical reasons. Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the The Lake Maracaibo maintained separated the city, with its neighboring states and Caracas, capital of Venezuela. Caracas (kaˈɾakas is the Capital and largest city of Venezuela. The people from Maracaibo, having been influenced by Andalusian colonists, apply the term "vos" instead of usted (English: "you"). Andalusia (Andalucía is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the most populous and the second largest in terms of land area English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States 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.

The city is also home to an array of immigrants from but not limited to: Spain, Italy, Germany, and Latin American countries. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Italy (Italia officially the Italian Republic, (Repubblica Italiana is located on the Italian Peninsula in Southern Europe, and on the two largest Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. 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. The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge is located at the outlet Lake Maracaibo, in western Venezuela. Year 1914 ( MCMXIV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

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. One of the many popular representations of the Virgin Mary in Venezuela. Venezuela (ˌvɛnəˈzweɪlə) officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela (Spanish República Bolivariana de Venezuela) is a country on the The image is most venerated in Maracaibo. The story of discovery of the virgin dates from the XVIII century. The 18th century lasted from 1701 to 1800 in the Gregorian calendar, in accordance with the Anno Domini / Common Era numbering system 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. Events 326 - The old St Peter's Basilica is consecrated 1302 - Pope Boniface VIII issues the Papal bull Year 1709 ( MDCCIX) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year 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.

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. The Gaita is the name of a Venezuelan folk Music from Maracaibo, Zulia state Music is an Art form in which the medium is Sound organized in Time. According to Joan Corominas, it may come from gaits, the Gothic word for "goat", the skin generally used for the membrane of the furro. A friction drum is a Musical instrument found in various forms in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. 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. Salsa music is a diverse and predominantly Latin American Caribbean genre that is popular across Latin America and among Latinos abroad Merengue is a type of music and dance that comes from the Dominican Republic. 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. Maracaibo 15 is a Venezuelan gaita group Founded in 1974 by singer Betulio Medina in Caracas, the name of this group reflects that it was formed Gran Coquivacoa, is a Venezuelan gaita zuliana group founded in 1968 by Jesús Bocachico Petit Nelson Suárez Rody Tigrera Pedro Arteaga and Manolo Salazar Tropical music band from Venezuela formed in Maracaibo, Zulia in 1960. Musica tropical or tropical music (Música tropical is a broad term for vocal and instrumental music with "tropical" flavor usually associated with the Afro-Caribbean

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. Rafael José Urdaneta y Faría ( Maracaibo, Venezuela, October 24, 1788 &ndash Paris, France, August 23
• 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. The University of Zulia ( Spanish La Universidad del Zulia also known as LUZ literally meaning "light" in spanish) is a public university whose Main Campus is
• 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. This article is about the German diaspora See Germans for the German ethnicity in general WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft. Please see WikipediaWikiProject Aircraft/page content for recommended layout For other meanings please see Iron Cross (disambiguation The Iron Cross ( was a Military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All [1]
• Armando Molero - Songwriter. Armando Molero (born January 20, 1899 or November 22, 1900 —died February 5, 1971) was a Venezuelan singer
• Francisco Ochoa - First President of the Universidad del Zulia. The University of Zulia ( Spanish La Universidad del Zulia also known as LUZ literally meaning "light" in spanish) is a public university whose Main Campus is
• Udon Perez - Author of the Zulia State Anthem. The anthem of the State of Zulia, “Riding the Waves” becomes official by Executive Order of August 15th 1909
• Andres Javier Pimentel - Famous investor
• Francisco Javier Pirela - Conspirator against the Spanish Crown.
• Nick Pocock - Former cricketer, ex-captain of Hampshire. Nicholas Edward Julian Pocock (born 15 December 1951 in Maracaibo, Venezuela) was an English cricketer who played for Hampshire from 1976 to 1984
• 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. Ricardo José Aguirre González, was born in Maracaibo, May 9, 1939 and died in the same city November 8, 1969. Humberto Fernández-Morán (February 18 1924 - March 17 1999 was a research scientist born in Maracaibo Venezuela 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. Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel (born April 29, 1934) is a former Shortstop in Professional baseball and a member of the Baseball Hall of
• Wilson Alvarez - former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher
• Ricardo Montaner - Latin pop singer and composer. Wilson Eduardo Alvarez Fuenmayor (born March 24, 1970 in Maracaibo, Zulia State, Venezuela) is a former Major League Baseball Ricardo Montaner (born as Hector Eduardo Reglero Montaner on September 8 1957) is an Argentine - Venezuelan singer and Songwriter
• Guaco - Tropical music band. For the Venezuelan band see Guaco. Gauco, huaco, or guao, also vejuco
• Patricia Velásquez - Actress and fashion model. Patricia Carola Velásquez Semprún (born January 31, 1971) is a Venezuelan Actress and Fashion model.
• David Cubillan - Basketball player, Marquette University. Marquette University is a private coeducational Jesuit, Roman Catholic University located in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
• 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. The 41st Miss World Pageant was held on December 28 1991 in Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA Miss Universe 2005, the 54th Miss Universe pageant was held in Bangkok, Thailand on May 31, 2005. Lupita Ferrer (born December 6 1947) is a Venezuelan Telenovela actress. Lila Morillo (born August 14, 1943) is a well known Venezuelan actress and Singer. Daniel Sarcos is a Television show host from Venezuela. He is currently the host of Sabado Sensacional and Miss Venezuela pageant María Chiquinquirá Delgado Díaz (born 7 August 1972 in Maracaibo) is a Venezuelan actress and also Mega Match's show host since 2002 Orlando Urdaneta (b October 14, 1946 - Maracaibo, Venezuela) is a well-known Venezuelan actor and television personality Betulio Segundo González (born October 24, 1949) is a former boxer from Venezuela, who is considered a national hero in Venezuela Urban Planner

Districts

Sister cities

Maracaibo has one sister city:^[3]

• New Orleans, United States of America

Skyline

Panoramic view of Maracaibo from the lake

External links

• (Spanish) Maracaibo en Internet
• (Spanish) Panorama Digital -Largest Maracaibo based newspaper
• (Spanish) [2] Cada lugar en Maracaibo, Directorio de empresas. New Orleans (nʲuːˈɔrliənz nʲuːˈɔrlənz French: La Nouvelle-Orléans) is a major United States port city and the largest city in Louisiana The United States of America —commonly referred to as the
• (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)

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. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous Riley and Company