Maracaibo - Gheos Worldguide

Maracaibo

Indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples lived in the area of present-day Maracaibo, when the first European settlers arrived in 1499.

The 1st attempt to establish a city there was in 1529, when German explorer Ambrosius Ehinger founded the town of Neu-Nürnberg. In 1535, due to the lack of activity the settlement was abandoned and its population was relocated Santa Marta, not far from Santa Ana de Coro, which was then the region's capital.

In 1569, a 2nd attempt was made to settle the area, but it was abandoned in 1573 after persistent attacks by indigenous peoples.

In 1574, a 3rd attempt was made with the founding of Nueva Zamora de la Laguna de Maracaibo. The town was plundered by pirates in 1614, in 1642, in 1667, in 1669 and in 1678.

Venezuela declared its independence in 1811, but the province of Maracaibo remained loyal to the Spanish. In 1823, however, the Spanish suffered a decisive defeat the region became part of Venezuela.

Maracaibo experienced rapid growth after the discovery of oil in 1917. Despite of this, the city remained relatively isolated from the rest of the country, until the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge was built across Lake Maracaibo in 1962.

Points of interest

Construction of the Basilica Menor de la Virgen de La Chiquinquirá (Basilica of Chiquinquirá) started in 1686, but it was not completed until 1858. The church is home to a wooden replica of the cotton painting of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá. The wooden image was made in 1709.
Carabobo Street.
The Castillo de San Carlos de la Barra (San Carlos de la Barra Castle) is a fortress that was built by the Spanish, to protect the entrance to Lake Maracaibo.
The Monumento de Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chiquinquirá (Monument of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá).
The Puente General Rafael Urdaneta (General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge) spans the Tablazo Strait outlet of Lake Maracaibo in the northwest of Venezuela. It connects Maracaibo with the rest of the country. The bridge was named after General Rafael Urdaneta, who was a hero in Venezuela's struggle for independence and who was born in Maracaibo. The bridge was built between 1958 and 1962. It has a length of 8.7 km (5.4 mi).
The Teatro Baralt (Baralt Theater) was originally constructed in 1939. It remained in use until 1877, after which it was demolished. It was rebuilt between 1877 and 1883. This second building stood until 1928 and was also demolished. In 1932, the current theater opened. It is located at the intersection of 95th Street and 5th Avenue in the center of town.

Museums

The Centro de Arte Lía Bermúdez (Lía Bermúdez Art Center).
Centro de Bellas Artes de Maracaibo (Maracaibo's Fine Arts Center).
The Museo de Arte Contemporáneo del Zulia (MACZUL) (Zulia Contemporary Art Museum).
Museo de Gaita (Museum of Gaita).
The Museo General Rafael Urdaneta (General Rafael Urdaneta Museum).
Museo Municipal de Artes Gráficas 'Balmiro León' ('Balmiro León' Municipal Graphic Arts Museum).

There are numerous hotels, bars, cafés and restaurants in Maracaibo. The city is connected to the rest of Venezuela via the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge. The city is served by La Chinita International Airport.

Maracaibo is sometimes called 'La Tierra del Sol Amada' (The Land of the Beloved Sun). Maracaibbo is located in the northwest of Venezuela, some 510 km west from Caracas.

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