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Maracaibo
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| Maracaibo Lake Bridge, Venezuela |
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General Information
| Description |
Maracaibo is one of only 17 ancient lakes on earth. It is estimated to be the second oldest, having been created approximately 36 million years ago.
Maracaibo is the largest lake in South America and is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by a narrow strait in the north, making it slightly saline. The Lake Maracaibo basin includes the largest oil fields in Venezuela. It also holds almost a quarter of Venezuela's population. |
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| Country |
Venezuela
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| Latitude |
10° 39' 0"
(10.6500) |
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| Longitude |
-71° 36'
0" (-71.6000) |
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| State |
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Maps
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Maracaibo index & locator map
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Largest Lakes in the World by Area (LakeNet Explorer 2004)
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Largest Lakes of the World by Volume (LakeNet Explorer 2004)
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Latin America & Mexico Biodiversity Conservation Priorities |
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Ancient Lakes of the World |
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Physical Characteristics
| Description |
Maracaibo's origins are tectonic and shoreline. |
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| Volume |
280.00 km3 |
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| Surface Area |
13,010.00 km2 |
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| Depth |
Maximum depth: 60.0 m
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| Age |
Greater than 20 million years before present
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| Origin |
Tectonic
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| Type |
Saline
Permanent
Natural
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Socio-Political
| Economic Value |
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| Major Cities |
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Watershed Management
| Description |
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| Issues |
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| Other Issues |
Polluted runoff
Toxics
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| Monitoring |
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Biodiversity Conservation
| Description |
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| Designations |
LakeNet Biodiversity Priority
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| Species of Concern |
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Documents
Resources
News
Additional Data Sources
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Duker, L. and L. Borre. 2001. Biodiversity conservation of the world's lakes: a preliminary framework for identifying priorities. LakeNet Report Series Number 2. Annapolis, Maryland USA. |
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Earth Observatory, NASA |
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International Lake Environment Committee, the United Nations Environment Program and Environment Agency, Government of Japan. 1997. World Lakes Database. |
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