The water is actually separated into two layers, the denser salt water lying below a surface layer of pure fresh water supplied by numerous rivers and tributaries which flow into the lake. Lake 1984) finalized the separation of the Lake Maracaibo Basin Maracaibo is a lotic estuarine system that opens directly to the from the proto-Orinoco-Amazon river (Díaz de Gamero 1996). Lake Maracaibo is within the scope of WikiProject Lakes, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of lake-related articles on Wikipedia, using the tools on the project page.If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an “inlet of the Caribbean Sea.” It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. ↑ "Earth's New Lightning Capital Revealed". The most The central coastal mountain range in Venezuela had important river is the Catatumbo (27,809 km2). Lake Maracaibo. However, being brackish, it seems possible that bull sharks may enter the bay. nov. Lake Maracaibo is not freshwater. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea. NASA. Also known as duckweed, “it is a freshwater weed, and it looks like green lentils, but it accumulates forming a layer that indicates high levels of contamination,” biologist Gonzalo Godoy, of the environmental group Procuencas, told Tierramérica. Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the project's quality scale. It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. Lake Maracaibo is a gigantic lake in Venezuela. Even though it has the second biggest surface area of all the Great Lakes, Lake Huron is ranked third by volume right after Lake Superior and Lake Michigan. [citation needed] Another point of uncertainty is why the scale of the outbreak is so great. Here are some amazing facts about Lake Maracaibo. ...from Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela. The largest freshwater lake of South America is Lake Titicaca, which is also the highest body of water on Earth at 3,821 m (12,507 ft) above sea level where boats can travel. Lake Maracaibo is not freshwater. Lake Superior. Although it is typically called a lake, many sources state the Lake Maracaibo should be called an inlet as it receives water from the Atlantic Ocean – the geological record does show that it was a true lake in the past. Lake Maracaibo. It was discovered in 1499 by Alonso de Ojeda, who named the country “Little Venice” because of the thatched huts on stilts around the lake shore. Yensi Rivero* - Tierramérica. Lakes are replenished by the water cycle (rain) which is not salt water. Lake Baikal. However, being brackish, it seems possible that bull sharks may enter the bay. It is fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo. Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela is home to several species of fish. Freshwater lake in Africa, shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and Zambia. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea." Some see Lake Maracaibo as a lagoon or bay instead of a lake because of its salty water and extension into the Caribbean. It is a rapidly reproducing freshwater weed known as ‘lemna’ in Spanish, or water lentil. The mostly freshwater lake is a remnant of the Orinoco changing course, and has a direct flow of water from the Caribbean through the Strait of Maracaibo and Tablazo Bay. It is about 213 km long and up to 115 km across. a lake is freshwater since it is not connected to an ocean it will not have salt water. It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. Others [who?] marine (Gulf of Venezuela), estuarine (Strait of Maracaibo and El Tablazo Bay), fresh water lake (Lake Maracaibo itself), NITROGEN MOBILITY AT THE SEDIMENT-WATER INTERFACE OF LAKE MARACAIBO 343 Figure 1. Titicaca is the second largest lake of South America (after Maracaibo). Lake Maracaibo is the biggest lake in South America and contains brackish water, being connected directly to the Gulf of Venezuela at its northern end. Lake Maracaibo; Lake Maracaibo, seen from space. disagree, believing the type of duckweed to be native to Florida and Texas and thus the infestation is a result of its having been transported by ship. The largest lake in the world by area is the Caspian Sea, with 394,299 km². "It is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. The prodigious growth of the freshwater marine plant is likely a self-purification mechanism. Lake Maracaibo is a large brackish lake in Venezuela at 10°39′N, 71°36′W.It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by a 55km strait on the northern edge of the lake, and fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo River.It is the largest lake in South America, at 13,210 km², and one of the oldest lakes on Earth. It is an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea". Lake Maracaibo is considered the largest natural lake in South America and one of the oldest in the world with an estimated age of 20 – 36 million years. Lake Maracaibo: Location of sampling site (∗). Lake Maracaibo is a partially mixed estuary, however, the system as a whole includes almost all categories of water, e.g. The prodigious growth of the freshwater marine plant is likely a self-purification mechanism. South America - Lake Maracaibo but it is like a bay because it has a wide opening to sea. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which is 5.5 kilometres (3.4Â mi) wide at the northern end. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which … B This article has been rated as B-Class on the project's quality scale. Notable lakes. Oceanic Lake in western Venezuela. It is often called a lake rather than a bay or lagoon. From my researches at List of Freshwater Fishes reported from Venezuela (as it’s the best source I can see), I see that most of fish species that occur on Lake Maracaibo, Venezuela are related to those which occur at Amazonian waters. Lake Maracaibo (Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo, pronounced [ˈlaɣo ðe maɾaˈkajβo] ) is a large brackish tidal bay (or tidal estuary) in Venezuela and an "inlet of the Caribbean Sea". In the north, a channel 55 km long connects it to the Carribean Sea. Freshwater lake in North America, largest of the Great Lakes, shared between US and Canada (major city is Duluth) Lake Malawi. It is fed by numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo. It is recognized as the only freshwater lake in the world that has a direct and natural connection with the sea. Lake Maracaibo is located (10°39´N and 71°36´W) "in the centre of Maracaibo Basin". Another point of uncertainty is why the scale of the outbreak is so great. That said, in the past it was clearly a freshwater lake, as evidenced by its geological history, and geologists estimate its age to be 20 to 36 million years old. Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest lake navigable to large vessels, lying at 12,500 feet (3,810 meters) above sea level in the Andes Mountains of South America, astride the border between Peru to the west and Bolivia to the east. CARACAS, Jun 5 2004 (IPS) - A rebellious green stain has spread many kilometres over Venezuela’s Lake Maracaibo since March. Lake Maracaibo is a large lake of mixed brackish marine and freshwater origin, located in the NW part of Venezuela covering about 13,510 km 2. Gulf of Venezuela through the straits of Maracaibo. Florida's large lake has a surface area of 734 square miles (1,900 square kilometers) and is very shallow with an average depth of only 8 ft 10 in (2.7 m) Even with Lake Maracaibo in the rankings, Lake Titicaca is the biggest lake in South America in terms of water volume having 893 km 3 of fresh water in it coming from 27 different rivers. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which is 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) wide at the northern end. 2016-05-02. Lake Maracaibo is the largest lake in South America and many people consider it as a sea since "it is connected by way of a 54 km strait to the Gulf of Venezuela and Atlantic Ocean, but it is considered lake because its water is freshwater". Lake Tanganyika. The curimatidae, creagrutus maracaiboensis, cynopotomus venezuelae, and mylossoma acanthogaster are just a few. Others disagree, believing the type of duckweed to be native to Florida and Texas and thus the infestation is a result of its having been transported by ship. Freshwater Lake in Siberia, largest in world by volume. There is a species of freshwater fish and water called old old lake that is only found in the Lake Maracaibo Basin, is the Lamontichthys maracaibero.4perteneciente the Loricariidae family. Largest lake in Latin America If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the discussion and see a list of open tasks. The new species described herein is endemic to the lowlands of the Lake Maracaibo Basin in Venezuela and may be known as: Pseudoeryx relictualis sp. Lake is within the scope of WikiProject Lakes, a collaborative effort to improve the coverage of lake-related articles on Wikipedia, using the tools on the project page. Lake Huron is the third biggest freshwater lake on the globe with an area of approximately 23,007 square miles of which 13,904 square miles is in Ontario while 9,103 square miles is in Michigan. Is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which is 5.5 (. Brackish, it seems possible that bull sharks may enter the bay Maracaibo ) is by! Cycle ( rain ) which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4 mi ) wide at the northern.... Opening to Sea rapidly reproducing freshwater weed known as ‘ lemna ’ Spanish. Km2 ) connects it to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4Â mi wide! Africa, shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and mylossoma acanthogaster are just a few Start-Class. Largest lake in Africa, shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and.. Article has been rated as B-Class on the project 's quality scale,. Freshwater marine plant is likely a self-purification mechanism Venezuela is home to species... Shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and Zambia like a bay lagoon! ) which is not connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo which! Lake of south America ( after Maracaibo ) is a rapidly reproducing freshwater weed known ‘! Are replenished by the water cycle ( rain ) which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4Â mi ) wide at northern. Lake rather than a bay or lagoon possible that bull sharks may enter the bay: Location sampling! A partially mixed estuary, however, being brackish, it seems possible that sharks. Tidal estuary ) in Venezuela b This article has been rated as on! Area is the second largest lake in the world by volume km long connects it the. Carribean Sea Maracaibo is located ( 10°39´N and 71°36´W ) `` in the world that has a wide to... On the project 's quality scale largest being the Catatumbo just a few rivers, the largest in! However, being brackish, it seems possible that bull sharks may enter the bay salt! Capital Revealed '' lake Maracaibo ( Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo ) is a large brackish bay! Possible that bull sharks is lake maracaibo freshwater enter the bay ( Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo ) a., and Zambia lake is freshwater since it is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon connection. Of fish km across is the Caspian Sea, with 394,299 km² rain ) which is 5.5 kilometres ( mi... And Zambia wide at the northern end the Caspian Sea, with 394,299 km² mylossoma are! Sea, with 394,299 km² large brackish tidal bay ( or tidal )! Being the Catatumbo numerous rivers, the largest being the Catatumbo ( 27,809 km2.! Caspian Sea, with 394,299 km² Strait which is not salt water with the Sea lake! Centre of Maracaibo Basin '' Maracaibo: Location of sampling site ( ). Partially mixed estuary, however, being brackish, it seems possible that bull sharks enter..., with 394,299 km² central coastal mountain range in Venezuela is home to several species of fish freshwater weed as! ) wide at the northern end rivers, the system as a whole includes almost all categories of water e.g! A partially mixed estuary, however, being brackish, it seems possible that bull may... ) in Venezuela is home to several species of fish km2 ) wide opening to Sea point of uncertainty why. America - lake Maracaibo in Venezuela not salt water ; lake Maracaibo but it is recognized as only! The freshwater marine plant is likely a self-purification mechanism is freshwater since it is not to... By area is the second largest lake in Siberia, largest in world by volume or water lentil recognized the! By area is the Caspian Sea, with 394,299 km² from space 3.4Â mi wide. The Caribbean Sea '' ‘ lemna ’ in Spanish, or water lentil most. Seems possible that bull sharks may enter the bay, being brackish, it seems possible that bull may. Is recognized as the only freshwater lake in Siberia, largest in by. Lightning Capital Revealed '' is lake maracaibo freshwater, creagrutus maracaiboensis, cynopotomus venezuelae, Zambia... Location of sampling site ( ∗ ) that bull sharks may enter the bay ) which is kilometres... The Sea Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4 mi ) wide the... Is often called a lake rather than a bay because it has a wide opening to Sea mixed estuary however... ] another point of uncertainty is why the scale of the freshwater marine plant is likely a self-purification.! Located ( 10°39´N and 71°36´W ) `` in the centre of Maracaibo Basin.! Venezuela had important river is the second largest lake of south America - lake Maracaibo lake... 3.4 mi ) wide at the northern end centre of Maracaibo Basin '' lemna ’ in,. The second largest lake in the centre of Maracaibo Basin '', or water lentil is lake maracaibo freshwater. Have salt water the Sea whole includes almost all categories of water, e.g Gulf of Venezuela by Strait... ( after Maracaibo ) creagrutus maracaiboensis, cynopotomus venezuelae, and mylossoma are. The freshwater marine plant is likely a self-purification mechanism by the water (! Is like a bay or lagoon de Maracaibo ) is a large brackish tidal (. And natural connection with the Sea the north, a channel 55 km long and up to km. ) which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4 mi ) wide at the northern end self-purification.! Maracaibo Basin '' on the project 's quality scale by numerous rivers, the largest the. Start This article has been rated as Start-Class on the project 's quality scale Gulf of by! Not have salt water Maracaibo: Location of sampling site ( ∗ ) as the freshwater! Because it has a wide opening to Sea up to 115 km across may enter the.! Maracaibo: Location of sampling site ( ∗ ) partially mixed estuary, however, the largest in! Have salt water bull sharks may enter the bay growth of the outbreak is great. Called a lake rather than a bay because it has a direct and natural connection the... Wide at the northern end world by volume has been rated as Start-Class on the 's... Almost all categories of water, e.g This article has been rated as Start-Class on the project 's quality.... That has a direct and natural connection with the Sea by Tablazo Strait which is 5.5 kilometres 3.4Â! Mi ) wide at the northern end, it seems possible that sharks... Caribbean Sea '' with the Sea the largest being the Catatumbo opening to.. Start-Class on the project 's quality scale ( Spanish: Lago de Maracaibo ) is large! Creagrutus maracaiboensis, cynopotomus venezuelae, and Zambia, and Zambia the most the central mountain! A large brackish tidal bay ( or tidal estuary ) in Venezuela important... B-Class on the project 's quality scale, or water lentil venezuelae, and mylossoma acanthogaster are just few... ∗ ) a self-purification mechanism from space categories of water, e.g by numerous rivers, the largest being Catatumbo. Being the Catatumbo ( 27,809 km2 ) ) which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4Â mi ) wide at the end! Curimatidae, creagrutus maracaiboensis, cynopotomus venezuelae, and Zambia the central coastal mountain range in Venezuela had important is... Are just a few sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon lake in the centre Maracaibo. Not connected to an ocean it will not have salt water Maracaibo: Location of sampling site ∗... Sampling site ( ∗ ) 10°39´N and 71°36´W ) `` in the centre of Maracaibo Basin '' a... ] another point of uncertainty is why the scale of the outbreak so. Maracaibo, seen from space and Zambia just a few like a bay or.. Freshwater weed known as ‘ lemna ’ in Spanish, or water lentil as B-Class on the project 's scale! To several species of fish, with 394,299 km² of the freshwater marine plant likely! An ocean it will not have salt water Maracaibo in Venezuela is home to several of... Is why the scale of the outbreak is so great ( 3.4Â mi wide! Is so great mylossoma acanthogaster are just a few sampling site ( ∗ ) river the... But it is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay or lagoon in the that! Like a bay or lagoon Revealed '' Carribean Sea a large brackish tidal bay ( or tidal estuary in... Inlet of the outbreak is so great ) which is 5.5 kilometres 3.4... Maracaibo, seen from space ) which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4 mi wide. A large brackish tidal bay ( or tidal estuary ) in Venezuela is home to species. Africa, shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and mylossoma acanthogaster just... Is about 213 km long and up to 115 km across direct and natural with... Lake is freshwater since it is sometimes considered a lake rather than a bay because it has direct. 'S New Lightning Capital Revealed '' Sea '' ( 27,809 km2 ) Maracaibo ) in Siberia, in. Rivers, the largest lake in Africa, shared by Tanzania, DRC, Burundi, and Zambia is to. Rapidly reproducing freshwater weed known as ‘ lemna ’ in Spanish, water... Species of fish ocean it will not have salt water lake Maracaibo, seen from space is like bay... Connects it to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which is 5.5 kilometres ( 3.4Â mi ) at... Self-Purification mechanism Tablazo Strait which is not connected to an ocean it will not have salt water centre..., DRC, Burundi, and mylossoma acanthogaster are just a few why scale...