View source for Maracaibo

{{distinguish|Maracay}}
{{For-multi|the adjacent water body by the same name|Lake Maracaibo|other uses}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!-- See Template:Infobox settlement for additional fields and descriptions -->
| name                       = Maracaibo
| official_name              = 
| native_name                = <!-- if different from the English name -->
| native_name_lang           = jke<!-- ISO 639-2 code e.g. "fr" for French. If more than one, use {{lang}} instead -->
| other_name                 = 
| settlement_type            = Municipality
<!-- images, nickname, motto --->
| image_skyline              = {{multiple image
|perrow = 1/2/2
|border = infobox
|total_width = 300
|image1 = Maracaibo panoramica avenida Cecilio Acosta cuted.jpg
|caption1 = Downtown Maracaibo
|image2 = Basílica de Nuestra Señora de la Chiquinquira.jpg
|caption2 = [[Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá, Maracaibo|Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá]]
|image3 = Puente de Maracaibo.jpg
|caption3 = [[General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge]] and [[Lake Maracaibo]]
|image4 = Panoramic view of Maracaibo 5.jpg
|caption4 = Urdaneta Museum
|image5 = Calle Carabobo, Maracaibo.jpg
|caption5 = Carabobo Street
}}
| image_flag                 = Bandera de Maracaibo.svg
| flag_size                  = 
| flag_alt                   = 
| flag_link                  = 
| image_seal                 = Escudo de Maracaibo.svg
| seal_size                  = 
| seal_alt                   = 
| seal_link                  = 
| nickname                   = "La Tierra del Sol Amada"<br />({{langx|en|"The Beloved Land of the Sun"}}){{force singular}}
| motto                      = "''Muy noble y leal''"<br />(English: "Very noble and loyal"){{force singular}}
| anthem                     = <!-- maps and coordinates ------>
| image_map                  = 
| map_alt                    = 
| map_caption                = 
| pushpin_map                = Venezuela
| pushpin_label              = <!-- only necessary if "name" or "official_name" are too long -->
| pushpin_map_alt            = 
| pushpin_mapsize            = 
| pushpin_map_caption        = 
| coordinates                = {{coord|10|38|N|71|38|W|region:VE-V|display=it}}
| coor_pinpoint              = <!-- to specify exact location of coordinates (was coor_type) -->
| coordinates_footnotes      = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
<!-- location ------------------>
| subdivision_type           = Country
| subdivision_name           = {{flag|Venezuela}}
| subdivision_type1          = [[States of Venezuela|State]]
| subdivision_name1          = {{flag|Zulia}}
<!-- established --------------->
| established_title          = Founded
| established_date           = (1) 8 September 1529, (2) 1569, (3) 1574
| established_title1         = <!-- Incorporated (town) -->
| established_date1          = 
| extinct_title              = 
| extinct_date               = 
| founder                    = [[Ambrosio Alfínger]] (1529), Captain [[Alonso Pacheco (conquistador)|Alonso Pacheco]] (1569), Captain Pedro Maldonado (1574)
| named_for                  = <!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes       = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| government_type            = [[Mayor–council government|Mayor–council]]
| governing_body             = Alcaldía de Maracaibo
| leader_title               = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name                = [[Gian Carlo Di Martino]]
| leader_title1              = 
| leader_name1               = <!-- etc., up to leader_title4 / leader_name4 -->
<!-- display settings  --------->
| total_type                 = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref                  = <!-- enter: Imperial, to display imperial before metric -->
<!-- area ---------------------->
| area_footnotes             = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2             = 
| area_land_km2              = 
| area_water_km2             = 
| area_water_percent         = 
| area_metro_km2             = 1393
| area_rank                  = 
| area_note                  = <!-- elevation ----------------->
| elevation_footnotes        = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m                = 6
| elevation_max_footnotes    = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_max_m            = 
| elevation_min_footnotes    = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_min_m            = 
<!-- population ---------------->
| population_footnotes       = 
| population_as_of           = 2019 est.
| population_rank            =[[List of cities and towns in Venezuela|2nd]]
| pop_est_as_of              =
| population_blank1= 2727957
|population_blank1_title= Metro<ref name=citypop/>
| population_total           = 1752602<ref name=citypop>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citypopulation.de/en/venezuela/cities/|title=Venezuela: States, Major Cities & Towns - Population Statistics, Maps, Charts, Weather and Web Information|website=www.citypopulation.de}}</ref>
| population_urban_footnotes =
| population_metro           = 
| population_metro_footnotes = 
| population_density_metro_km2 = 
| population_density_sq_mi         = 4200
| population_density_rank    = 
| population_demonym         = Marabino(a), Maracaibero(a), Maracucho(a)
| population_note            = <!-- time zone(s) -------------->
| timezone1                  = [[Venezuelan Standard Time Zone|VET]]
| utc_offset1                = &minus;4
| timezone1_DST              = 
| utc_offset1_DST            = 
<!-- postal codes, area code --->
| postal_code_type           = [[Postal code of China|Postal code]]d
| postal_code                = 4001, 4002, 4003, 4004, 4005
| area_code_type             = [[Telephone numbers in Venezuela|Area code]]
| area_code                  = 261
| geocode                    = 
| iso_code                   = VE-V
| registration_plate         = 
| blank1_name                = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank1_info                = [[Semi-arid climate|BSh]]
<!-- website, footnotes -------->
| website                    = {{Official URL}}
| footnotes                  = The area and population figures refer to the municipality of Maracaibo.<br/>The metropolitan area of Maracaibo comprises the [[Municipalities of Venezuela|municipalities]] of [[Jesús Enrique Lossada Municipality|Jesús Enrique Lossada]], La Cañada de Urdaneta, Mara, Maracaibo and [[San Francisco Municipality, Zulia|San Francisco]].<ref>{{cite report |url=http://notizulia.net/images/notizulia/multimedia/Tapones_Viales/Plan/Ordenanza%20de%20Contenido%20General%20del%20Plan%20de%20Desarrollo%20Urbano%20del%20Municipio%20Maracaibo.pdf |page=3 |title=Ordenanza de Contenido General Del Plan de Desarrollo Urbano Del Municipio Maracaibo |publisher=Maracaibo Municipal Council |date=2005-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417084852/http://notizulia.net/images/notizulia/multimedia/Tapones_Viales/Plan/Ordenanza%20de%20Contenido%20General%20del%20Plan%20de%20Desarrollo%20Urbano%20del%20Municipio%20Maracaibo.pdf |archivedate=2012-04-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
'''Maracaibo''' ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|m|ær|ə|ˈ|k|aɪ|b|oʊ}} {{respell|MARR|ə|KY|boh}}, {{IPA|es|maɾaˈkajβo|lang|ES-pe - Maracaibo.ogg}}; {{langx|guc|Marakaaya}}) is a city and municipality in northwestern [[Venezuela]], located on the western shore of the strait that connects [[Lake Maracaibo]] to the [[Gulf of Venezuela]]. It is the capital of [[Zulia]] state and the second-largest city in Venezuela<ref>{{Cite web |title=Largest cities in Venezuela in 2021 {{!}} Statista |url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/1176138/venezuela-population-city/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240924110151/https://www.statista.com/statistics/1176138/venezuela-population-city/ |archive-date=2024-09-24 |access-date=2025-03-21 |website=Statista |language=en |url-status=live }}</ref> and is [[List of cities in Venezuela by population|the second-largest city]] proper in Venezuela,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=mlssoccer |title=José Martínez {{!}} MLSsoccer.com |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/players/jose-andres-martinez/ |access-date=2022-03-14 |website=mlssoccer |language=en}}</ref> after the national capital, [[Caracas]]. The city has an estimated population of 1,752,602, with the [[metropolitan area|metropolitan]] area estimated at 2,727,957 {{As of|2019|lc=y}}.<ref name="citypop"/> Maracaibo is commonly nicknamed “{{langx|es|La Tierra del Sol Amada}}” (The Beloved Land of the Sun).

Maracaibo is considered the economic center of western Venezuela due to the petroleum industry that developed along the shores of Lake Maracaibo. It is sometimes referred to as "The First City of Venezuela" for being the first city in Venezuela to adopt various public services, including electricity. The city is also linked to the origin of the country’s name, as it is located near the lake from which the name “Venezuela” allegedly derives.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.geographia.com/venezuela/history.htm|title=Venezuela - An Introduction|website=www.geographia.com|access-date=2019-06-14}}</ref>

Early settlements in the region were inhabited by [[Arawaks|Arawak]] and [[Kalina people|Carib]] peoples. The founding of Maracaibo is disputed, with unsuccessful attempts made in 1529 by Captain [[Ambrosius Ehinger|Ambrosio Ehinger]] and in 1569  by Captain Alonso Pacheco. The city was eventually founded in 1574 as “Nueva Zamora de la Laguna de Maracaibo” by Captain Pedro Maldonado. It became a key transshipment point for inland settlements after [[Gibraltar, Venezuela|Gibraltar]], located at the head of the lake, was destroyed by pirates in 1669. Permanent settlement did not occur until the early 17th century.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Maracaibo|title=Maracaibo {{!}} Venezuela|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|access-date=2019-06-14}}</ref> The discovery of petroleum in 1917 led to rapid population growth due to migration.

Maracaibo is served by [[La Chinita International Airport]], and is connected to the rest of the country by the [[General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge]].

== Etymology ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=June 2023}}
The origin of the name "Maracaibo" is uncertain. One popular legend attributes it to a young indigenous [[cacique]] named Mara, who is said to have resisted the Spanish conquistadors and died in battle. According to the story, upon his death, members of the Coquivacoa people shouted "¡Mara cayó!" ("Mara fell!"), which allegedly evolved into the name Maracaibo. However, this explanation is considered unlikely, as it assumes the use of Spanish by indigenous peoples at the time.

An alternative theory suggests that the name derives from the indigenous term "Maara-iwo," meaning "place where serpents abound."

== History ==
[[File:Royal Coat of Arms of New Zamora of Maracaibo.svg|thumb|left|upright|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 in the region were established by Arawak and Carib peoples. Among them, the Añu tribe built rows of stilt houses along the northern shore of Lake Maracaibo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.efemeridesvenezolanas.com/html/maracaibo.htm|title=Error|author=Irama Iglesias|work=efemeridevenezolana}}</ref> The first Europeans arrived in 1499.

The city of Maracaibo was founded three times. The first attempt occurred during the [[Klein-Venedig]] period (1528–1546), when the [[Welser]] banking family of [[Augsburg]] was granted control over [[Venezuela Province]] by [[Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Charles I of Spain]]. In August 1529, the German explorer [[Ambrosius Ehinger]] led an expedition to Lake Maracaibo, encountering strong resistance from the indigenous [[Coquivacoa]]. After a series of battles, he established a settlement on 8 September 1529, naming it {{langx|de|Neu-Nürnberg}} ("New Nuremberg") and naming the lake after the chieftain Mara, who had died in combat. The Spanish later renamed the settlement Maracaibo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.wasistwas.de/geschichte/alle-artikel/artikel/link//aafd6793cf/article/das-imperium-der-welser/-7c05c71e06.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422023929/http://www.wasistwas.de/geschichte/alle-artikel/artikel/link//aafd6793cf/article/das-imperium-der-welser/-7c05c71e06.html|url-status=dead|title=Das Imperium der Welser|archivedate=April 22, 2012}}</ref>

Due to a lack of activity in the area, [[Nikolaus Federmann]] relocated the population in 1535 to [[Santa Marta]], near the then-capital [[Santa Ana de Coro]]. A second attempt to settle Maracaibo was made by Captain Alonso Pacheco in 1569, but it was abandoned in 1573 due to persistent attacks by local indigenous groups.

In 1574, the city was permanently re-founded by Captain Pedro Maldonado under orders from Governor [[Diego de Mazariegos]]. It was named ''Nueva Zamora de la Laguna de Maracaibo'', in honor of Mazariegos's hometown of [[Zamora, Spain|Zamora]]. The settlement began to grow, benefiting from favorable winds and a protected harbor on the western shore of Lake Maracaibo, near the narrows that connect the lake to the [[Gulf of Venezuela]].

===Pirate attacks===
[[File:Castillo San Carlos de la Barra 12.jpg|thumb|left|San Carlos de la Barra Castle, Spanish fort guarding the entry to Lake Maracaibo]]
Maracaibo was repeatedly attacked by European pirates during the 17th century. The Dutch corsair [[Henrik de Gerard]] plundered the city in 1614, followed by a British pirate, [[William Jackson (pirate)|William Jackson]], in 1642. In 1667, the French pirate [[François l'Olonnais]] led a fleet of eight ships and 600 men to sack both Maracaibo and nearby [[Gibraltar, Venezuela|Gibraltar]], seizing a Spanish treasure ship with cargo that included [[Cocoa bean|cacao]], [[gemstone|gems]], and over 260,000 [[pieces of eight]].

In March 1669, [[Henry Morgan]] [[Henry Morgan's raid on Lake Maracaibo|raided Maracaibo]] and then moved on to Gibraltar. As he attempted to exit the lake, Morgan encountered three Spanish warships—the ''Magdalena'', ''San Luis'', and ''Soledad''—and a fortified Spanish position at the lake’s inlet. He destroyed the ''Magdalena'', burned the ''San Luis'' using a fireship, and forced the surrender of the ''Soledad''. By staging a fake land assault, Morgan distracted the Spanish and escaped to the [[Caribbean]].<ref>''Harry Morgan's Way'', (AlisonPress, 1977), Dudley Pope, {{ISBN|978-1842324820}}</ref><ref>''Caribbean'', James A.Michener, Guild Publishing, 1989, ASIN: B00EFKMICY</ref>

In June 1678, the French privateer [[Michel de Grammont]] attacked Maracaibo with six ships and 700 men. After sacking the city, he continued inland to raid smaller towns, including Gibraltar and [[Trujillo, Trujillo|Trujillo]].

=== Venezuelan Independence ===
[[File:Batalla del Lago de Maracaibo 1823.jpg|thumb|right|Illustration of the Battle of Lake Maracaibo]]

In 1810, the [[Maracaibo Province (Spanish Empire)|Province of Maracaibo]] remained loyal to the Spanish Crown and did not join the [[First Republic of Venezuela]]. The city even briefly served as the seat of the [[Captaincy General of Venezuela]].

By 1821, pro-independence uprisings had spread to the region. [[Royalist (Spanish American Revolution)|Royalist]] forces under [[Francisco Tomás Morales]] fought against patriot troops led by [[Rafael Urdaneta]] at the Battle of Juana de Ávila. Morales reestablished Spanish rule in 1822, but was ultimately defeated at the [[Battle of Lake Maracaibo]] on 24 July 1823. This decisive victory marked the end of Spanish control in Venezuela.

=== Isolation period ===
For nearly 380 years, Maracaibo remained relatively isolated from the rest of Venezuela. Transportation to the city was primarily via Lake Maracaibo, using boats and ferries. As a result, commercial and cultural exchanges were more active with the Caribbean Sea—particularly with the [[Dutch Antilles]], [[Colombia|Colombian coastal cities]], [[Cuba]], [[Hispaniola]], and later with ports such as [[Miami]], [[New York City|New York]], and [[Hamburg]].

This isolation was both a challenge and an advantage. The city’s geographic separation contributed to a strong sense of regional identity and independent character among its residents. Throughout history, there have been discussions and folklore surrounding the idea of an independent nation called the "República Independiente del Zulia" ("Independent Republic of Zulia"), although such a state has never materialized.

By the early 20th century, the introduction of motorized transport increased traffic in manufactured goods and agricultural products through the city port. However, ferries were still required to cross the lake, and the eastern shore remained poorly connected to the national road system. As a result, Maracaibo's economy continued to align more closely with Colombia and the Caribbean than with eastern Venezuela.

In January 1903, during the [[Venezuelan crisis of 1902–1903|Venezuelan crisis]] and naval blockade under President [[Cipriano Castro]], the German [[gunboat]] {{SMS|Panther|1901|6}} attempted to enter Lake Maracaibo, a hub of German commercial activity. On 17 January, it exchanged fire with Fort San Carlos but withdrew after 30 minutes due to shallow waters. The Venezuelan government declared the incident a defensive success. In response, the German cruiser ''SMS Vineta'' bombarded the fort on 21 January, destroying it and killing 25 civilians in the nearby town.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Mitchell |first1=N. |title=Public Diplomacy and the Press in the Venezuelan Crisis, 1902–1903 |journal=Diplomatic History |year=1996 |volume=20 |pages=185–210 |doi=10.1111/j.1467-7709.1996.tb00622.x |jstor=24440692 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24440692 |access-date=2025-07-01}}</ref>

In 1908, during the second Castro crisis, the Dutch warships ''Friesland'', ''[[HNLMS Gelderland (1898)|Gelderland]]'', and ''[[HNLMS Jacob van Heemskerck (1906)|Jacob van Heemskerck]]'' were deployed to patrol the Venezuelan coast. The ''Friesland'' was tasked with guarding the entrance to Maracaibo.<ref name="scheepvaartmuseum.nl :: Maritieme kalender 1908">{{cite web |url=http://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl/knowledgebase/calendar%7C1908 |publisher=Hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl |title=Maritieme kalender 1908 |access-date=2013-07-01 |archive-date=2017-11-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191410/https://www.hetscheepvaartmuseum.nl/knowledgebase/calendar%7c1908 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== Construction of the General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge ===
[[File:Rafael Urdaneta Bridge in Maracaibo.jpg|thumb|right|Maracaibo Lake Bridge]]
The dictatorial regime of General [[Marcos Pérez Jiménez]] in the 1950s set as a goal the construction of a bridge connecting the two shores of Lake Maracaibo. Various proposals for spanning the narrows near the city were in development. The government aimed to better integrate this "city of independent thought" with the rest of the country. Proposals for a bridge design including rail transport and tourist infrastructure were seriously considered. After Pérez Jiménez was overthrown on 23 January 1958, the newly installed democratic administration approved a simpler but still ambitious project.

Construction of the [[General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge]] (''Puente General Rafael Urdaneta'') began shortly thereafter. Named after the independence [[Rafael Urdaneta|hero]], the prestressed concrete bridge officially opened to public traffic in 1962, linking Maracaibo with Zulia’s eastern shore and the national highway network. The bridge was completed on schedule in just 40 months and became the longest prestressed concrete bridge in the world at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Puente General Rafael Urdaneta |url=https://www.emporis.com/buildings/1409999/puente-general-rafael-urdaneta-maracaibo-venezuela |website=Emporis |access-date=2025-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=The General Rafael Urdaneta Bridge |url=https://structurae.net/en/structures/general-rafael-urdaneta-bridge |website=Structurae |access-date=2025-07-01}}</ref><ref name="Luengo">{{cite news |last1=Luengo |first1=Teresa |title=Hace 56 años fue inaugurado el puente sobre el Lago de Maracaibo |url=https://www.eluniversal.com/venezuela/18601/hace-56-anos-fue-inaugurado-el-puente-sobre-el-lago-de-maracaibo |access-date=30 June 2025 |work=[[El Universal (Caracas)|El Universal]] |date=24 August 2018 |language=es}}</ref>

The construction of the bridge was a remarkable engineering achievement. Built under challenging conditions, it became the longest prestressed concrete bridge in the world at the time of its completion. Today, it remains in constant use and serves as the most vital link between Maracaibo, the eastern region of Zulia, and the rest of Venezuela.

In April 1964, just two years after its inauguration, the 8.7 km bridge was severely damaged when the supertanker ''Esso Maracaibo'' lost steering due to an electrical failure and struck pier 31, causing a 259 m section of the roadway to collapse into the lake. Four vehicles plunged into the water, resulting in the deaths of seven people; remarkably, there were no crew casualties or major oil spill.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The collison between "Esso Maracaibo" & the Bridge |website=Auke Visser's Other Esso Related Tankers Site |url=https://www.aukevisser.nl/others/id1337.htm |access-date=2025-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=DISASTER ON LAKE |newspaper=The Canberra Times |date=14 April 1964 |page=1 |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104278418 |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref>

Emergency repairs were completed in approximately six months, and the bridge was restored to service with no compromise to its structural integrity.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why did the Urdaneta Bridge collapse in 1964? |website=EngineeringClicks |date=21 August 2018 |url=https://www.engineeringclicks.com/urdaneta-bridge-collapse-1964/ |access-date=2025-07-01}}</ref>

=== Contemporary Maracaibo ===
[[File:Teatro Baralt I.JPG|thumb|right|Exterior of Baralt Theatre]]

[[François de Pons]], a French government agent stationed in Caracas, described the people of Maracaibo in his 1806 travel journal. {{Harv|de Pons|1806}}. He noted their maritime skill and military aptitude:

:"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 observed a notable interest in education and culture:

:"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."

Today, Maracaibo has grown into a major metropolitan area composed of two municipalities: Maracaibo and [[San Francisco Municipality, Zulia|San Francisco]], the latter established in 1995. The city has attracted internal migration from rural areas and other urban centers, including [[Caracas]], due to economic and cultural factors.

Maracaibo is home to several major institutions of higher education. The public [[University of Zulia]] (LUZ) is one of the most prestigious in the country, particularly recognized for its law, medicine, and engineering programs. It was once considered one of the most prestigious institutions in Latin America, particularly before the country’s [[Crisis in Venezuela|economic and political decline in the 21st century]]. Other notable universities include [[Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacín]] (URBE) and Universidad Rafael Urdaneta, the latter known for its strong psychology department. However, the broader national crisis has significantly impacted academic operations, especially at public institutions like LUZ.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Otis |first=John |date=2023-10-31 |title=Why one family is joining a historic wave of Venezuelans migrating to the U.S. |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/10/31/1207963084/venezuela-migrants-to-us |work=National Public Radio}}</ref>

The Diocese of Maracaibo, established on 23 July 1965, was elevated to an [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Maracaibo|archdiocese]] on 30 April 1966 by [[Pope Paul VI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmara.html#hist|title=Maracaibo (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]|author=David M. Cheney|work=catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> [[Pope John Paul II]] visited the city in 1985.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,960297,00.html?promoid=googlep|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022085600/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,960297,00.html?promoid=googlep|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 22, 2012|title=Religion: Si to a Demanding Friend|date=11 February 1985|magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dmara.html|title=Maracaibo (Archdiocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy]|author=David M. Cheney|work=catholic-hierarchy.org}}</ref> Since November 2000, the archdiocese has been headed by Archbishop [[Ubaldo Ramón Santana Sequera]].

In 2019, widespread poverty and national power outages triggered a wave of violence and looting across the city.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kuntz |first=Katrin |date=2019-09-03 |title=Venezuela: City of Maracaibo in Ruin as Economy Plunges |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/venezuela-city-of-maracaibo-in-ruin-as-economy-plunges-a-1284073.html |access-date=2024-02-19 |work=Der Spiegel |language=en |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> The resulting instability accelerated mass emigration, with many residents relocating abroad—particularly to the United States.<ref name=":1" />

In mid‑2020, the COVID‑19 pandemic further strained Maracaibo’s healthcare system, as the city’s University Hospital became overwhelmed with patients. Staff reported daily deaths far exceeding official figures, indicating systemic collapse in local medical services.<ref>{{Cite news |title='They think they'll be left to die': pandemic shakes already fragile Venezuela |newspaper=The Guardian |date=25 Aug 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/aug/25/venezuela-coronavirus-covid-death-toll-maracaibo |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref>

In early 2023, Maracaibo became the focus of a local solar‑energy pilot by Zulia Solar, which aims to install rooftop solar panels on 400 homes and 100 apartments to help residents cope with persistent blackouts.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Grassroots Venezuelan Solar Energy Initiative |website=Havana Times |date=4 April 2024 |url=https://havanatimes.org/features/grassroots-venezuelan-solar-energy-initiative/ |access-date=2025-07-01}}</ref>

==Economy==
Maracaibo has one of the country’s largest seaports, serving as a key export terminal for [[Petroleum|crude oil]] and general cargo.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Venezuela – Services, Infrastructure, Economy |website=Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Venezuela/Economy |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref> All of Venezuela’s foreign commerce is carried by sea, and Maracaibo ranks among its top three ports alongside Puerto Cabello and La Guaira.<ref name="Maracaibo">{{Cite web |title=Maracaibo |website=Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Maracaibo |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref>

The [[Maracaibo Basin|Lake Maracaibo basin]] supplies roughly two‑thirds of Venezuela’s total petroleum output, making it the country’s primary oil-producing region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lake Maracaibo |website=Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Maracaibo |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref>

Beyond oil and farming, Maracaibo also supports significant [[petrochemical]] industries (producing chemicals, textiles, cement, soap and food products), has one of Venezuela’s busiest seaports (enhanced by the 1950s dredging of the lake channel), and a robust service sector—spanning banking, education, healthcare, and tourism—that employs around 75% of the workforce.<ref name="Maracaibo"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Venezuela Kids: Economy |website=Britannica Kids |url=https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/Maracaibo/275682 |access-date=2025-07-02}}</ref>

== Geography ==
The municipality of Maracaibo is divided into 18 parishes, as shown below:
{|class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top"
|
{{Image label begin|image=Municipios de Maracaibo.svg|width=500|align=right}}
{{Image label small|x=0.525|y=0.225|scale=500|text=[[Idelfonso Vásquez]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.15|y=0.1875|scale=500|text=[[Venancio Pulgar]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.2125|y=0.4375|scale=500|text=[[Antonio Borjas Romero|Antonio Borjas<br/>Romero]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.0625|y=0.5625|scale=500|text=[[San Isidro, Maracaibo|San Isidro]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.375|y=0.6875|scale=500|text=[[Francisco Eugenio Bustamante|Francisco<br/>Eugenio <br/> Bustamante]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.4625|y=0.875|scale=500|text=[[Luis Hurtado Higuera|Luis Hurtado <br/> Higuera]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.6375|y=0.79375|scale=500|text=[[Manuel Dagnino|Manuel <br/>Dagnino]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.775|y=0.75|scale=500|text=[[Cristo de Aranza|Cristo <br/>de Aranza]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.625|y=0.68125|scale=500|text=[[Cecilio Acosta, Maracaibo|Cecilio <br/>Acosta]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.65|y=0.585|scale=500|text=[[Cacique Mara|Cacique <br/>Mara]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.5625|y=0.50625|scale=500|text=[[Raúl Leoni, Maracaibo|Raúl <br/>Leoni]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.55625|y=0.4|scale=500|text=[[Caracciolo Parra Pérez|<small>Caracciolo<br/>Parra<br/>Pérez</small>]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.69875|y=0.525|scale=500|text=[[Chiquinquirá, Maracaibo|<small>Chiquinquirá</small>]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.7375|y=0.3|scale=500|text=[[Juana de Ávila|<small>Juana <br/>de <br/>Ávila</small>]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.81875|y=0.3375|scale=500|text=[[Coquivacoa, Maracaibo|Coquivacoa]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.83125|y=0.4625|scale=500|text=[[Olegario Villalobos|Olegario<br/> Villalobos]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.85625|y=0.66|scale=500|text=[[Bolívar, Maracaibo|<small>Bolívar</small>]]}}
{{Image label small|x=0.9|y=0.575|scale=500|text=[[Santa Lucía, Maracaibo|Santa<br/>Lucía]]}}
{{Image label end}}
|
{| cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="float: left;" class="sortable"
|+  Political Territorial Division of Maracaibo
! Parroquia
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Antonio Borjas Romero
|- style="text-align:left;"
| [[Bolívar, Maracaibo|Bolívar]]
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Cacique Mara
|- style="text-align:left;"
| [[Caracciolo Parra Pérez]]
|- style="text-align:left;"
| [[Cecilio Acosta, Maracaibo|Cecilio Acosta]]
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Chiquinquirá
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Coquivacoa
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Cristo de Aranza
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Francisco Eugenio Bustamante
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Idelfonso Vásquez
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Juana de Ávila
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Luis Hurtado Higuera
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Manuel Dagnino
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Olegario Villalobos
|- style="text-align:left;"
| [[Raúl Leoni, Maracaibo|Raúl Leoni]]
|- style="text-align:left;"
| San Isidro
|- style="text-align:left;"
| Santa Rosalía
|- style="text-align:left;"
| [[Venancio Pulgar]]
|}
|}

=== Districts ===
{{hlist|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}}

===Climate===
Maracaibo is one of the hottest cities in both Venezuela and [[South America]]. Due to the [[rain shadow]] effect of the [[Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta]], the city experiences a [[hot semi-arid climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification system|Köppen]]: ''BSh'')<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://es.meteocast.in/forecast/ve/maracaibo/|title=Pronóstico del tiempo para Maracaibo - precisa y detallada previsión del tiempo en Maracaibo para el día de hoy, de mañana y de la semana. Maracaibo, Estado Zulia, Venezuela|website=es.meteocast.in}}</ref> moderated somewhat by the presence of Lake Maracaibo. The average historical temperature is approximately {{convert|29|C|F|1}}. In the past, the combination of high temperatures and humidity along the lake’s coast made the region unhealthy, but modern urban development and pest control have significantly reduced such health concerns. The highest recorded temperature in the city is {{convert|43.6|C|F|1}}, while the lowest is {{convert|18.8|C|F|1}}.
{{Weather box
| location = Maracaibo (1991–2020, extremes 1961–2020)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 36.7
| Feb record high C = 39.4
| Mar record high C = 39.0
| Apr record high C = 40.0
| May record high C = 39.8
| Jun record high C = 39.6
| Jul record high C = 39.4
| Aug record high C = 42.2
| Sep record high C = 39.0
| Oct record high C = 39.9
| Nov record high C = 37.0
| Dec record high C = 39.5
| year record high C = 42.2
| Jan high C = 33.1
| Feb high C = 33.3
| Mar high C = 33.7
| Apr high C = 34.0
| May high C = 34.2
| Jun high C = 34.5
| Jul high C = 34.8
| Aug high C = 35.1
| Sep high C = 34.2
| Oct high C = 33.1
| Nov high C = 32.7
| Dec high C = 32.9
| year high C = 33.8
| Jan mean C = 27.0
| Feb mean C = 27.3
| Mar mean C = 27.9
| Apr mean C = 28.7
| May mean C = 28.7
| Jun mean C = 29.4
| Jul mean C = 29.4
| Aug mean C = 29.8
| Sep mean C = 28.9
| Oct mean C = 27.9
| Nov mean C = 27.0
| Dec mean C = 27.3
| year mean C = 28.3
| Jan low C = 23.1
| Feb low C = 23.4
| Mar low C = 24.1
| Apr low C = 25.2
| May low C = 25.7
| Jun low C = 25.7
| Jul low C = 25.6
| Aug low C = 25.9
| Sep low C = 25.5
| Oct low C = 24.9
| Nov low C = 24.6
| Dec low C = 23.8
| year low C = 24.8
| Jan record low C = 19.2
| Feb record low C = 18.8
| Mar record low C = 20.3
| Apr record low C = 20.7
| May record low C = 20.5
| Jun record low C = 20.2
| Jul record low C = 21.0
| Aug record low C = 20.2
| Sep record low C = 20.2
| Oct record low C = 19.8
| Nov record low C = 20.1
| Dec record low C = 18.9
| year record low C = 18.8
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 5.8
| Feb rain mm = 3.6
| Mar rain mm = 11.4
| Apr rain mm = 41.1
| May rain mm = 85.5
| Jun rain mm = 48.6
| Jul rain mm = 31.3
| Aug rain mm = 70.1
| Sep rain mm = 114.9
| Oct rain mm = 122.9
| Nov rain mm = 82.3
| Dec rain mm = 31.8
| year rain mm = 649.3
| unit rain days = 1.0 mm
| Jan rain days = 1.1
| Feb rain days = 1.0
| Mar rain days = 1.5
| Apr rain days = 4.4
| May rain days = 7.2
| Jun rain days = 5.4
| Jul rain days = 4.1
| Aug rain days = 6.8
| Sep rain days = 10.5
| Oct rain days = 11.1
| Nov rain days = 7.0
| Dec rain days = 2.9
| year rain days = 63.0
| Jan humidity = 69.0
| Feb humidity = 68.5
| Mar humidity = 68.0
| Apr humidity = 71.5
| May humidity = 73.5
| Jun humidity = 71.0
| Jul humidity = 69.0
| Aug humidity = 69.5
| Sep humidity = 72.0
| Oct humidity = 75.0
| Nov humidity = 73.0
| Dec humidity = 72.0
| year humidity = 71.0
| Jan sun = 266.6
| Feb sun = 240.8
| Mar sun = 244.9
| Apr sun = 183.0
| May sun = 179.8
| Jun sun = 201.0
| Jul sun = 244.9
| Aug sun = 232.5
| Sep sun = 192.0
| Oct sun = 182.9
| Nov sun = 204.0
| Dec sun = 238.7
| year sun = 2611.1
| Jand sun = 8.6
| Febd sun = 8.6
| Mard sun = 7.9
| Aprd sun = 6.1
| Mayd sun = 5.8
| Jund sun = 6.7
| Juld sun = 7.9
| Augd sun = 7.5
| Sepd sun = 6.4
| Octd sun = 5.9
| Novd sun = 6.8
| Decd sun = 7.7
| yeard sun = 7.2
| source 1 = [[NOAA]] (sun 1961–1990)<ref name=WMOCLINO>{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240210154149/https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Venezuela/CSV/Maracaibo_80407.csv
| archive-date = 10 February 2024
| url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-3-WMO-Normals-9120/Venezuela/CSV/Maracaibo_80407.csv
| title = Maracaibo Climate Normals 1991–2020
| work = World Meteorological Organization Climatological Standard Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 10 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="NOAA">{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240210153811/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REGIII/VN/80407.TXT
| archive-date = 10 February 2024
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REGIII/VN/80407.TXT
| title = Maracaibo Climate Normals 1961-1990
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = 10 February 2024}}</ref>
| source 2 = Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología (humidity 1970–1998)<ref name="clima-t">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Máximas y Mínimas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=2 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615065531/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_EXTREM.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref><ref name="clima-tm">{{cite web|url=http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |title=Estadísticos Básicos Temperaturas y Humedades Relativas Medias |work=INAMEH |language=es |url-status=dead |access-date=2 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615085231/http://www.inameh.gob.ve/documentos/ESTADISTICOS_BASICOS_TyHR_MEDIAS.pdf |archive-date=15 June 2013 }}</ref>

}}

== Education ==
[[File:Rectoradoluz.jpg|thumb|upright|Main Building of the University of Zulia (LUZ)]]

=== Colleges and universities ===
Several institutions of higher education are based in Maracaibo, including:
* [[University of Zulia]] (LUZ) – One of Venezuela’s largest public universities, known for its programs in law, medicine, and engineering.
* [[Universidad Rafael Belloso Chacín]] (URBE) – A prominent private university recognized for its focus on business, media, and technology.
* [[Universidad Rafael Urdaneta]] – A private university with a strong reputation in psychology, architecture, and engineering.
* Universidad Católica Cecilio Acosta – A Catholic institution specializing in humanities, education, and social sciences.
* Universidad Nacional Experimental de la Fuerza Armada (UNEFA) – A public military university with various academic disciplines.
* Universidad Dr. José Gregorio Hernández – A private institution offering a range of undergraduate and graduate programs.
* Universidad Bolivariana de Venezuela, Zulia campus – A public university focused on social missions and government-led programs.
* Universidad Nacional Abierta (UNA), Zulia regional center – Venezuela’s national distance learning university, offering flexible programs.

===International schools===
* [[Escuela Bella Vista]] (American school)
* Colegio Alemán de Maracaibo, formerly Colegio Alemán del Zulia (German school)

== Sports ==
[[File:JPPachenchoRomero-16.jpg|thumb|[[Estadio José Pachencho Romero]]]]

=== Baseball ===
Maracaibo is home to the [[Águilas del Zulia]], the state’s baseball team in the [[Venezuelan Professional Baseball League]]. They play at [[Estadio Luis Aparicio El Grande|Luis Aparicio El Grande Stadium]] and have held exhibition games at Víctor Davalillo Stadium in Cabimas since 2011. The Águilas are one of Venezuela's most popular and successful baseball teams.

=== Football (Soccer) ===
Football has grown in popularity in recent decades. Maracaibo hosted [[Zulia Fútbol Club]], which played in the [[Venezuelan Primera División|Primera División]] from 2005 until 2022, based at the [[Estadio José Pachencho Romero|Estadio José Encarnación “Pachencho” Romero]]. In 2022, the club merged with [[Deportivo Rayo Zuliano]], which continues to represent Maracaibo in the top division. Other teams based in the city include [[Deportivo JBL del Zulia]] (Segunda División), and historically clubs like [[Titanes F.C.]] and Zulia FC B.

=== Basketball ===
Zulia’s top basketball team, [[Gaiteros del Zulia]], is based in Maracaibo. They are four-time champions of the [[Superliga Profesional de Baloncesto|Venezuelan professional league]] (1984, 1985, 1996, 2001) and play at the Gimnasio Pedro Elías Belisario Aponte in Maracaibo.

=== Rugby ===
Maracaibo is home to the Maracaibo Rugby Football Club, known as the Oil Blacks, one of the earliest rugby teams in Venezuela. The sport was introduced to the city through the influence of the local English-speaking community.

== Culture ==
[[File:Monumento a la Chinita I.JPG|thumb|left|Monument of Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá]]
Culture in Maracaibo maintains strong Indigenous influences, from its [[Gaita (music style)|gaitas]], desserts, style, and other customs. Most major houses of advertising in Venezuela acknowledge how different the culture of Maracaibo is from that of Caracas. Studies of both prove, for example, that Caracas' leading soft drink brand is [[Coca-Cola|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).{{citation needed|date=March 2023}}

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.

=== Museums, cultural centers and theaters ===
[[File:Centro de arte de Maracaibo Lía Bermúdez detalle exterior.jpg|thumb|upright|Maracaibo's Lía Bermúdez Art Centre]]
* Zulia Contemporary Art Museum (MACZUL)
* [[General Rafael Urdaneta]] Museum
* "Balmiro León" Municipal Graphic Arts Museum
* Maracaibo's Fine Arts Centre
* Maracaibo's "[[Lía Bermúdez]]" Art Centre
* [[Baralt Theater|Baralt Theatre]]
* Museum of Gaita

=== Libraries ===
* Public Library of Zulia
* "Arturo Uslar Pietri" Public Library
* "Dr. Pedro Alciro Barboza de la Torre" Library
* "Simón Palmar" Public Library
* Biblioteca Pública "Luís Guillermo Pineda Belloso" (De carácter público, bilingüe y circulante)
* "Pedagógica" Specialized Public Library
* "SEDINI" Specialized Public Library
* "Dr. Nectario Andrade Labarca" Private Library

== Notable people ==
{{Div col}}
* [[:es:El Cafe en Venezuela|Tito Abbo, Jr.]] - coffee trader, entrepreneur
* [[Wilyer Abreu]] - baseball player
* [[Teolindo Acosta]] - baseball player
* [[José Andrés Martínez]]<ref name=":0" /> - professional MLS soccer player
* [[Guaco|Gustavo Aguado]] - musician, singer and leader of Guaco music band
* [[Ricardo Aguirre]] - composer and singer
* [[Daniel Alvarado]] - singer and actor
* [[Junior Alvarado]] - jockey 
* [[Wilson Álvarez]] - Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher
* [[Oswaldo Álvarez Paz]] - First elected Governor
* [[Ernesto Aparicio (baseball)|Ernesto Aparicio]] - former shortstop in Venezuelan League Baseball
* [[Luis Aparicio]] - shortstop, Major League Baseball Hall of Fame
* [[Rafael Maria Baralt]] - diplomat, writer, philologist, historian
*[[Jessica Barboza]] Schmidt - model and beauty pageant 
*[[:es:Omar Barboza|Omar Barboza]]- politician
* [[Huascar Barradas]] - flutist
*[[Evert Bastet]] - Canadian sailor. He won a silver medal in the Flying Dutchman Class at the 1984 Summer Olympics
* [[José Bracho]] - baseball pitcher
* [[Lionel Belasco]] - pianist, composer and bandleader, best known for his calypso recordings
* [[Marisela Berti]] - actress, singer, show host and beauty queen
* [[Silvino Bracho]] - baseball pitcher
* [[Antonio Briñez]] - first manager to win a National Amateur Baseball championship to Venezuela
* [[María Calcaño]] - poet
* [[José Antonio Casanova]] - baseball player and team manager
* [[Abel Castellano Jr.]] - jockey
* [[Javier Castellano]] - jockey [[Eclipse Award]] 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Hall of Fame
* [[Leopoldo Castillo]] - journalist. TV host
* [[Gustavo Chacín]] - baseball player
* [[Jackson Chourio]] - baseball player
*[[:es:Fernando Chumaceiro|Fernando Chumaceiro]] - lawyer and politician 
* [[Johana Clavel]] - cook and entrepreneur
* [[Luis Contreras (baseball)|Luis Contreras]] - baseball player
* [[Gilberto Correa]] - TV host
* [[David Cubillan]] - basketball player
* [[Chiquinquirá Delgado]] - actress and TV host
* [[Elías Díaz]] - MLB baseball player
* [[Xabier Elorriaga]]- actor
* [[Heraclio Fernández]] - pianist and composer
* [[Lupita Ferrer]] - actress
* [[Juan Fuenmayor]] - soccer player
* [[:es:Manuel Gogorza Lechuga|Manuel Gogorza]]- military
* [[Betulio González]] - boxer
* [[Carlos González (baseball)|Carlos González]] - baseball player
* [[Geremi González]] - Major League Baseball player for several teams
* [[Inés González Árraga]] - chemist and former political prisoner
* [[Mariana González (fencer)|Mariana González Parra]] - fencer
* [[Ulises Hadjis]] - singer-songwriter and multi instrumentalist
* [[Alejandro Hernández (director)|Alejandro Hernández]] - Internet comedian
* [[Jonathan Herrera (baseball)|Jonathan Herrera]] - baseball player
* [[Wilmer Herrison]] - painter
*[[Fred Hoos]] – Canadian field hockey player
* [[Ender Inciarte]] - MLB baseball player
*[[Daniela Larreal]] - cyclist sprinter
* [[Ninibeth Leal]] - Miss Venezuela World 1991, [[Miss World 1991]]
* [[Tulio Enrique León]] - blind organist, composer, and arranger
* [[Sandy León]] - MLB baseball player
* [[Carlos López Bustamante]] - journalist, known for his opposition to [[Juan Vicente Gómez]]
* [[Eduardo López Bustamante]] - journalist, lawyer, and poet
* [[Teresa López Bustamante]] - journalist, founder of the Catholic Venezuelan newspaper
* [[Eduardo López Rivas]] - editor and journalist
* [[Roberto Lückert León]] - Roman Catholic prelate
* [[Betty Cecilia Lugo]] - philanthropist
* [[Julio Machado]] - Major League Baseball [[pitcher]]
* [[Carlos Ramírez MacGregor]] - journalist, politician and writer
* [[Domingo Marcucci]] - shipbuilder and shipowner in San Francisco, California
* [[Ernesto Mayz Vallenilla]] - philosopher, rector of [[Simón Bolívar University (Venezuela)]]
* [[Armando Molero]] - songwriter
* [[:es:Carlos Molina Tamayo|Carlos Molina Tamayo]] - navy militar
* [[Ricardo Montaner]] - Venezuelan musician
* [[Carmen Maria Montiel]] - Miss Venezuela 1984, [[Miss Universe 1984]] 2nd runner-up
* [[Carlos Caridad-Montero]] - film producer
* [[Humberto Fernández Morán]] - research scientist, founded [[IVIC|the Venezuelan scientific research institute]]
* [[Lila Morillo]] - actress and singer
* [[Francisco Ochoa]] - first President of the [[Universidad del Zulia]]
* [[Rougned Odor]] - MLB baseball player
* [[:es:Gastón Parra Luzardo|Gastón Parra Luzardo]]- Economist president of [[PDVSA]] in 2002
* [[Gerardo Parra]]- MLB baseball player
* [[:es:Nestor Luis Perez Luzardo|Nestor Perez Luzardo]] - lawyer and singer
* [[Felipe Pirela]] - singer
* [[Nick Pocock]] - former cricketer, ex-captain of [[Hampshire County Cricket Club]]
* - writer
* [[L. Rafael Reif]] - [[electrical engineer]] and the 17th President of the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]]
* [[Graciela Rincón Calcaño]] - poet
* [[Rafael Romero]] Sandrea - track and field athlete
* [[Daniel Sarcos]] - [[Telemundo]] TV host
* [[Jefferson Savarino]] - footballer
* [[Monica Spear]] - Miss Venezuela 2004, [[Miss Universe 2005]] 4th runner-up, actress
* [[Orlando Urdaneta]] - actor
* [[Rafael Urdaneta]] - hero of the Latin American war for independence
* [[Vivian Urdaneta]] - Miss Venezuela International 2000, Miss International 2000
* [[Patricia Van Dalen]] - painter
* [[Patricia Velásquez]] - actress and international top model
* [[Leonardo Villalobos]] - actor and television personality
{{Div col end}}

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in South America#Venezuela|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Venezuela}}

===Twin towns – Sister cities===
Maracaibo is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:<ref>Sister Cities designated by [http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/LA Sister Cities International, Inc. (SCI)] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217231154/http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/LA |date=February 17, 2008 }}. Retrieved June 8, 2006.</ref>
{{colbegin}}
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Bremen]], Germany<ref name="Bremen twinnings">{{cite web|url=http://www.rathaus.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen54.c.2259.de|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110718204253/http://www.rathaus.bremen.de/sixcms/detail.php?gsid=bremen54.c.2259.de|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-07-18|title=Bremen - Referat 32 Städtepartnerschaften / Internationale Beziehungen|trans-title=Bremen - Unit 32 Twinning / International Relations|access-date=2013-08-09|last=Frohmader|first=Andrea|work=Das Rathaus Bremen Senatskanzlei [Bremen City Hall - Senate Chancellery]|language=de}}</ref>
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Durban]], South Africa
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Honolulu]], United States
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[New Orleans]], United States
*{{flagicon|ROM}} [[Ploiești]], [[Romania]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]]
{{colend}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

===Sources===
* {{Citation |last=de Pons |first=François|title=A Voyage to the Eastern Part of Terra Firma, or the Spanish Main, in South-America, during the years 1801, 1802, 1803, and 1804 |publisher=I. Riley and Company |location=New York City |year=1806}}

==External links==
{{Portal|Venezuela}}
{{Commons category|Maracaibo}}
*{{wikivoyage inline|Maracaibo}}
*{{in lang|es}} [http://www.panodi.com Panorama Digital] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603003559/http://panodi.com/ |date=2020-06-03 }} - Largest Maracaibo based newspaper
*{{in lang|es}} [http://www.laverdad.com La Verdad] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129152747/http://www.laverdad.com/ |date=2021-01-29 }} - Maracaibo-based newspaper

{{State capitals of Venezuela}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Maracaibo| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Zulia]]
[[Category:Municipalities of Zulia]]
[[Category:Lake Maracaibo]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in the Caribbean]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Venezuela]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1529]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of Venezuela]]

[[es:Ignacio Quintana|Ignacio Quintana]]