Maracaibo

Maracaibo (/ˌmærəˈkaɪboʊ/; Spanish pronunciation: [maɾaˈkajβo] (listen); Wayuu: Marakaaya) is a city and municipality in northwestern Venezuela, on the western shore of the strait that connects Lake Maracaibo to the Gulf of Venezuela. It is the second-largest city in Venezuela, after the national capital, Caracas, and the capital of the state of Zulia. The population of the city is approximately 2,658,355[1] with the metropolitan area estimated at 5,278,448 as of 2010.[2] Maracaibo is nicknamed "The Beloved Land of the Sun" (Spanish: "La Tierra del Sol Amada").

For the adjacent water body by the same name, see Lake Maracaibo.
Not to be confused with Maracay.
Maracaibo
Municipality
Top:Panoramic view of Cecilio Acosta Avenue downtown area, Second:Avenida El Milagro (El Milagro Avenue) in residential area, Avenida 5 de Julio (July 5 Avenue) in Sector Santa Maria area, Bottom:Maracaibo Cathedral (Bacilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquira), Lake Maracaibo and Rafael Urdaneta Bridge (all item from left to right)
Flag
Seal
Nickname(s): 
"La Tierra del Sol Amada"
(English: "The Beloved Land of the Sun")
Motto(s): 
"Muy noble y leal"
(English: "Very noble and loyal")
Maracaibo
Coordinates: 10°38′N 71°38′W
Country Venezuela
StateZulia
Founded(1) 8 September 1529, (2) 1569, (3) 1574
Founded byAmbrosio Alfínger (1529), Captain Alonso Pacheco (1569), Captain Pedro Maldonado (1574)
Government
 • TypeMayor–council
 • BodyAlcaldía de Maracaibo
 • MayorWilly Casanova (PSUV)
Area
 • Metro
1,393 km2 (538 sq mi)
Elevation
6 m (20 ft)
Population
 (2013)1,200,000
 • Rank2nd
 • Urban2,658,355
 • Metro5,278,448
Demonym(s)Marabin, Maracaibero(a), Maracucho(a)
Time zoneUTC−4 (VET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (not observed)
Postal coded
4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005
Area code261
ISO 3166 codeVE-V
ClimateBSh
WebsiteAlcaldía de Maracaibo (in Spanish)
The area and population figures refer to the municipality of 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. It is sometimes known as "The First City of Venezuela", for being the first city in Venezuela to adopt various types of public services, including electricity, as well as for being located adjacent to shores of Lake Maracaibo, where the name of Venezuela allegedly originates.[3]

Early indigenous settlements around the area were of Arawak and Carib origin. Maracaibo’s founding date is disputed. There were failed attempts to found the city—in 1529, by Captain Ambrosio Ehinger, and in 1569, by Captain Alonso Pacheco. Founded in 1574 as Nueva Zamora de la Laguna de Maracaibo by Captain Captain Pedro Maldonado, the city became a transshipment point for inland settlements after Gibraltar, at the head of the lake, had been destroyed by pirates in 1669. It was not until the first decades of the 17th century that the first town was settled.[4] Petroleum was discovered in 1917, leading to a large increase in population from migration.

Maracaibo is served by La Chinita International Airport. The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge connects Maracaibo with the rest of the country. The La Chiquinquirá Church catholic church within the city.

Etymology

The name Maracaibo is said to come from the brave cacique (Indian chief) Mara, a young native who valiantly resisted the Spaniards and died fighting them. Legend says that when Mara fell, the Indians shouted "Mara kayó!" (Mara fell!), thus originating the city name—although it would be strange for them to shout in Spanish. Other historians say that the first name of this land in the local language was "Maara-iwo" meaning "Place where serpents abound".

History
First version of Coat of Arms with royal elements, according to Discrezión de la laguna de la ciudad de Maracaibo in General Archive of the Indies.

Foundation

The first indigenous settlements were of Arawak and Carib origin. Around the main group were the Añu tribe who built rows of stilt houses all over the northern riviera of the Lake Maracaibo.[5] The first Europeans arrived in 1499.

The city was founded three times: the first time was during the Klein-Venedig period (1528–1546), when the Welser bankers of Augsburg received a concession over Venezuela Province from Charles I. of Spain. In August 1529, the German Ambrosius Ehinger made his first expedition to Lake Maracaibo, which was bitterly opposed by the indigenous Coquivacoa. After winning a series of bloody battles, he founded the settlement on 8 September 1529. Ehinger named the settlement New Nuremberg (German: Neu-Nürnberg) and the lake after the valiant chieftain Mara of the Coquivacoa, who had died in the fighting. The city was renamed Maracaibo after the Spanish took possession.[6] The lack of activity in the zone made Nikolaus Federmann evacuate the village in 1535 and move its population to Santa Marta near the then capital of Venezuela Province, Santa Ana de Coro.

A second attempt by Captain Alonso Pacheco in 1569 suffered a brief setback when the city had to be evacuated in 1573 due to ferocious attacks by native local tribes. The European settlement returned a short while later, in 1574, however, for which it was re-founded by Captain Pedro Maldonado under Governor Diego de Mazariegos' command and assuming the name of Nueva Zamora de Maracaibo. "Nueva Zamora" comes from Mazariego's place of birth, Zamora, in Spain. Since its definite foundation, the town began to develop as a whole. It is based on the western side of Lake Maracaibo, the dominant feature of the oil-rich Maracaibo Basin. Favored 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.

Pirates' attacks

The Dutch corsair Henrik de Gerard plundered Maracaibo in 1614, and in 1642 the city was attacked by the British pirate William Jackson. In 1667, l'Olonnais with a fleet of eight ships and a crew of six hundred pirates sacked Maracaibo and Gibraltar. En route, l'Olonnais crossed paths with a Spanish treasure ship, which he captured, along with its rich cargo of cacao, gemstones and more than 260,000 pieces of eight.

In March 1669, Henry Morgan sacked Maracaibo, which emptied when his fleet was first spied, and moved on to the Spanish settlement of Gibraltar on the inside of Lake Maracaibo in search of more treasure. A few weeks later, when he attempted to sail out of the lake, Morgan found an occupied fort blocking the inlet to the Caribbean, along with three Spanish ships. These were the Magdalena, the San Luis, and the Soledad. He destroyed the Magdalena and burned the San Luis by sending a dummy ship full of gunpowder to explode near them, after which the crew of the Soledad surrendered. By faking a landward attack on the fort, thereby convincing the Spanish governor to shift his cannon, he eluded their guns and escaped.[7][8]

In June 1678, Michel de Grammont French commander of six ships and 700 men captured Maracaibo then followed the plundering of several smaller towns as Gibraltar, penetrating as far inland as Trujillo.

Venezuelan independence

In 1810, the province of Maracaibo did not join the First Republic of Venezuela and remained loyal to the Spanish crown. Maracaibo then held the seat of the Captaincy General of Venezuela.

In 1821, uprisings in favor of independence began to lead to warfare and hostility. The royalists, led by Francisco Tomás Morales, fought with the patriots, led by Rafael Urdaneta, to take back control over the province in the Juana de Ávila Battle, and Morales brought back Spanish rule in 1822 until he was defeated at the Battle of Lake Maracaibo on 24 July 1823, culminating Venezuela's struggle for independence.

Isolation period

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 rife 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.

In January 1903, as the naval blockade of Venezuela continued during the negotiations with presidente Cipriano Castro, the German warship SMS Panther attempted to enter Lake Maracaibo, which was a center of German commercial activity. On 17 January, it exchanged fire with the settlement of Fort San Carlos, but withdrew after half an hour, as shallow waters prevented it getting close enough to the fort to be effective. The Venezuelans claimed this as a victory, and in response the German commander sent the SMS Vineta, with heavier weapons, to set an example. On 21 January, the SMS Vineta bombarded the fort, setting fire to it and destroying it, with the death of 25 civilians in the nearby town.

In 1908, the Friesland, Gelderland and Jacob van Heemskerck were sent to patrol the Venezuelan coast during the second Castro crisis. Friesland guarded the entry way to Maracaibo.[9]

Building of the bridge
Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá

The dictatorial regime of General Marcos Pérez Jiménez in the 1950s set as a goal the construction of a bridge connecting the two lake shores. 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 23 January 1958, quickly led to a less elaborate design project that was approved and funded by a democratic and more conservative government.

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.

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.

Panoramic view of Maracaibo City.

Modern times

Maracaibo has become a large metropolitan city, comprising two municipalities: the municipality of Maracaibo proper, and the municipality of San Francisco, established in 1995, to the south. In recent years, due to political/economic and cultural reasons, many have moved to Maracaibo from rural areas and other cities (including Caracas).

Former headquarters of the Mene Grande Oil Company

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.

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, medical and engineering schools as many other disciplines. Other universities and schools include Universidad Dr. Rafael Belloso Chacín (URBE) and Universidad Rafael Urdaneta, with one of the country's leading psychology schools.

The Diocese of Maracaibo (23 July 1965) was elevated to Archdiocese on 30 April 1966 by Pope Paulus VI.[10] Maracaibo was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1985.[11][12] Since November 2000, its Archbishop has been Ubaldo Ramón Santana Sequera.

Panoramic view of Maracaibo and Lake

Perspective
St. Lucia, Maracaibo.

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:

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 that 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 that characterise men of letters.

Economy

Zulia's main income comes from oil extraction and refining, agriculture (coffee, rice, maize, cassava, cocoa, sugar cane), livestock production, and mining (clay, limestone, coal and sand).

Geography

Location

The municipality of Maracaibo is divided into 18 parishes as follows:

Political Territorial Division of Maracaibo
Parroquia
Antonio Borjas Romero
Bolívar
Cacique Mara
Caracciolo Parra Pérez
Cecilio Acosta
Chiquinquirá
Coquivacoa
Cristo de Aranza
Francisco Eugenio Bustamante
Idelfonso Vásquez
Juana de Ávila
Luis Hurtado Higuera
Manuel Dagnino
Olegario Villalobos
Raúl Leoni
San Isidro
Santa Rosalía
Venancio Pulgar

Climate

Maracaibo is one of the hottest cities of Venezuela and all of South America as well. The rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta gives the city a semiarid climate (Köppen: BSh) attenuated only by the moderating influence of the lake; Maracaibo’s average historical temperature is 29 °C (84.2 °F). In the past, the climate of the city, indeed all along the coast of Lake Maracaibo, was unhealthy due to the combination of high temperatures with high humidity. Today, control of plagues and the effects of urban development has largely eradicated these health problems. The registered high temperature of the city is 41 °C (105.8 °F), and the lowest is 18 °C (64.4 °F).

Climate data for Maracaibo (1970–1998)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 36.4
(97.5)		 39.4
(102.9)		 37.9
(100.2)		 39.6
(103.3)		 37.8
(100.0)		 38.0
(100.4)		 38.8
(101.8)		 38.1
(100.6)		 39.0
(102.2)		 36.6
(97.9)		 36.3
(97.3)		 35.8
(96.4)		 39.6
(103.3)
Average high °C (°F) 32.5
(90.5)		 32.8
(91.0)		 33.1
(91.6)		 33.1
(91.6)		 33.1
(91.6)		 33.6
(92.5)		 34.1
(93.4)		 34.2
(93.6)		 33.6
(92.5)		 32.5
(90.5)		 32.4
(90.3)		 32.5
(90.5)		 33.1
(91.6)
Daily mean °C (°F) 27.7
(81.9)		 28.0
(82.4)		 28.6
(83.5)		 29.0
(84.2)		 29.1
(84.4)		 29.3
(84.7)		 29.5
(85.1)		 29.6
(85.3)		 29.1
(84.4)		 28.3
(82.9)		 28.3
(82.9)		 27.9
(82.2)		 28.7
(83.7)
Average low °C (°F) 22.8
(73.0)		 23.2
(73.8)		 24.1
(75.4)		 24.8
(76.6)		 25.0
(77.0)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.9
(76.8)		 24.6
(76.3)		 24.1
(75.4)		 24.1
(75.4)		 23.3
(73.9)		 24.2
(75.6)
Record low °C (°F) 19.2
(66.6)		 18.8
(65.8)		 20.4
(68.7)		 20.7
(69.3)		 20.5
(68.9)		 20.2
(68.4)		 21.0
(69.8)		 20.2
(68.4)		 20.2
(68.4)		 20.0
(68.0)		 20.6
(69.1)		 18.9
(66.0)		 18.8
(65.8)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 5.1
(0.20)		 2.7
(0.11)		 5.9
(0.23)		 52.1
(2.05)		 66.8
(2.63)		 55.4
(2.18)		 26.5
(1.04)		 60.0
(2.36)		 104.0
(4.09)		 114.4
(4.50)		 70.6
(2.78)		 16.9
(0.67)		 580.4
(22.85)
Average rainy days (≥ 1.0 mm) 0.6 0.3 0.6 3.6 6.1 6.7 3.6 5.8 8.1 9.2 5.3 1.7 51.6
Average relative humidity (%) 69.0 68.5 68.0 71.5 73.5 71.0 69.0 69.5 72.0 75.0 73.0 72.0 71.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours 300.0 279.0 286.0 257.0 243.0 253.0 301.0 279.0 272.5 282.9 258.0 272.7 3,284.1
Source 1: Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (INAMEH)[13][14]
Source 2: NOAA (extremes and sun 1961–1990),[15] World Meteorological Organization (precipitation, 1961–1990)[16]

Education

Colleges and universities

Several universities are based in the city:

International schools
  • Escuela Bella Vista (American school)
  • Colegio Alemán de Maracaibo, formerly Colegio Alemán del Zulia (German school)

Sports

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 is based in the Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande. The city's basketball team is Gaiteros del Zulia, which plays in the Liga Profesional de Baloncesto de Venezuela. Its home is the 5.000-people Pedro Elías Belisario Aponte stadium. Other teams include the Unión Atlético Maracaibo and the Zulia FC in football, the Maracaibo Rugby Football Club and the Zulianos Rugby Club.

In the 2000 Little League World Series, the Sierrra 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 Coquivocoa Little League team from Maracaibo placed third in the 1974 Little League World Series.

Rugby in Venezuela was first played in Maracaibo, thanks to the influence of the English community based on the Zulia State

Team:

Culture
Carabobo street contains much of the city's famous colonial architecture

Culture in Maracaibo is very indigenous and unique, 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 localized advertising of their products (including several Pepsi commercials spoken by local celebrities).

Marabinos 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 Trujillo, Mérida and Táchira state) and Caraqueños (people of the city of Caracas).

The Gaita is a style of Venezuelan folk music from Maracaibo. According to Joan Corominas, it may come from gaits, the Gothic word for "goat", which is the skin generally used for the membrane of the furro instrument. Other instruments used in gaita include maracas, cuatro, charrasca and tambora (Venezuelan drum). Song themes range from humorous and love songs to protest songs.The style became popular throughout Venezuela in the 1960s, and it fused with other styles such as salsa and merengue in the 1970s. Famous gaita groups include Maracaibo 15, Gran Coquivacoa, Barrio Obrero, Cardenales del Éxito, Koquimba, Melody Gaita, Guaco, Estrellas del Zulia, Saladillo, and many others.

Mural in the Libertador Avenue.

Museums, cultural centers and theaters
Tram of Maracaibo.

Libraries

Notable natives

Districts
Maracaibo Districts
Venancio Pulgar • Idelfonso Vázquez • Coquivacoa • Barrio 18 de Octubre • Juana de Ávila • El Naranjal • San Jacinto (La Marina) • Mara Norte • La Trinidad • Las Tarabas • La Estrella • Maracaibo I • Maracaibo II • Lago Mar Beach • Antonio Borjas Romero • San Isidro • Francisco Eugenio Bustamante • San Rafael • Ziruma • San Miguel • Luis Hurtado Higuera • Manuel Dagnino • Cristo de Aranza • Cecilio Acosta • Cacique Mara • El Amparo • Raúl Leoni • Caracciolo Parra Pérez • Los Olivos • Chiquinquirá • Santa Lucía • Santa Rosa • Bolívar • Bella Vista • Historic zone of Maracaibo • El Saladillo • Isla Dorada

International relations
See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Venezuela

Twin towns – Sister cities

Maracaibo is twinned with:[18]

Skyline
Panoramic view of Maracaibo

References
  1. Archived November 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Archived November 14, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  3. "Venezuela - An Introduction". www.geographia.com. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
  4. "Maracaibo | Venezuela". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 2019-06-14.
  5. Irama Iglesias. "Error". efemeridevenezolana.
  6. Das Imperium der Welser Archived 2012-04-22 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Harry Morgan's Way, (AlisonPress, 1977), Dudley Pope, ISBN 978-1842324820
  8. Caribbean, James A.Michener, Guild Publishing, 1989, ASIN: B00EFKMICY
  9. "Maritieme kalender 1908". Hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl. Retrieved 2013-07-01.
  10. David M. Cheney. "Maracaibo (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org.
  11. "Religion: Si to a Demanding Friend". TIME.com. 11 February 1985.
  12. David M. Cheney. "Maracaibo (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org.
  13. "Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias" (PDF). INAMEH (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  14. "Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias" (PDF). INAMEH (in Spanish). Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  15. "Maracaibo Climate Normals 1961-1990". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  16. "World Weather Information Service - Maracaibo". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 15 May 2014.
  17. "jastaboelcke.de".
  18. Sister Cities designated by Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI) Archived February 17, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 8, 2006.
  19. Frohmader, Andrea. "Bremen - Referat 32 Städtepartnerschaften / Internationale Beziehungen" [Bremen - Unit 32 Twinning / International Relations]. Das Rathaus Bremen Senatskanzlei [Bremen City Hall - Senate Chancellery] (in German). Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2013-08-09.

Further reading

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

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