Location | Surface | Population

geographic location

The state of Zulia is located to the Northwest of the country, and its boundaries the Gulf of Venezuela in the north, Colombia to the west, Tachira, Trujillo and Mérida to the south and the states of Lara and Falcon in the east. Zulia state history begins with the discovery of the Gulf of Venezuela and Lake Maracaibo by Alonso de Ojeda on August 22, 1499.

Area: 63,100 km2

6.92% of the territory nacional.Población (as INE projections for 2010): 3,821,068 inhabitants

12.92% of the country.

                       

Relief

Zulia state covers about 63,100 km ², including land and Lake Maracaibo and part of the Gulf of Venezuela, representing approximately 6.90% of all of Venezuela, making it the fourth largest institution in Venezuela surface after the states of Bolivar, Amazonas and Guarico.

The Zulia is surrounded by two mountain branches of the Andes Mountains on the west, the Sierra de Perijá, which borders with the Republic of Colombia, south of Mérida Cordillera, which extends to the northeast in the mountainous areas of Trujillo State, as with Siruma saw bordering the states of Lara and Falcon.

The territory of the state of Zulia, is a very homogeneous as, topographically speaking. The 63.9% of the continental area are flat areas and the remaining 16% is composed of surfaces alternating between flat or undulating areas markedly steep reliefs.

Hydrography

The Zulia form a broad tectonic depression in its center is Lake Maracaibo. If you are considered a lake, the Maracaibo is the largest in South America. However, according to other definitions should be considered a sea as it is connected by a narrow 54 km (34 miles) to the Gulf of Venezuela, and from there to the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean (the only freshwater lake in the world that has a direct connection, and natural, with the sea). Its main flowing from the Rio Catatumbo, but many other smaller rivers contribute to its waters from the nearby Andes mountains. The economic importance of this basin is outstanding because of the prosperity of agriculture and livestock in it have taken root. In addition, there are the main sources of Venezuela's oil wealth.

Lake Maracaibo is part of what is geographically known as the System of Lake Maracaibo, which is completed by the Strait of Maracaibo, the Bay The Tablazo and the Gulf of Venezuela. On its waters are native Indian villages whose houses are known stilt houses (houses built within the lake supported by stakes).

To the south of the state, through flood plains, flowing rivers originating in the Andes, which provide considerable sediment load that enriches the soil. Among them are the Chama, Capable, and Motatán Torondoy. On the east coast and from the Sierra de Ciruma rivers flow hydraulic reservoir constituting the sector. Cities like Cabimas, Lagunillas and Ciudad Ojeda, rely on them as sources of water supply, among the most important include the Rio Pueblo Viejo, Rio and Rio Misoa Machango

                  

  Climate and Vegetation

 The climate in Zulia state is dominated by warm and semiarid conditions. The annual average temperature varies between 28 º C and 40 º C in the lowlands and reaches temperatures up to cold temperate in western areas Perijá. Rainfall varies from 300 mm in the Guajira and 4500 mm per year in the Mission of El Tokuko, southwest of the state.

The mountainous formation Perijá, has an effect on the northeast trade winds, forcing them to ascend, when they must download all the moisture they bring the sea. This shock causes the phenomenon known as Catatumbo Lightning. Due to continuous thunderstorms in the evening the Catatumbo phenomenon is almost unique in the world, amazing in its beauty, but also for the utility offered in the past to craft penetrating Lake Maracaibo, which could orient night by the glow, why was also known to this phenomenon as the Lighthouse of Maracaibo.  

                                  

Tourism

The conquest Zulia both domestic and foreign tourists for the variety of activities offered. Just go their ways from Headgear, facing the Gulf of Venezuela, to the bottom of the lake and end at the north end of the east coast, to find hundreds of possibilities and interesting places to visit. From trips to national parks and estates full of natural attractions such as the Park and Bogs Perijá Catatumbo, to tours of museums and historical monuments full of crafts and folklore.

The shores of Lake Maracaibo and marine shores facing the Gulf of Venezuela, traveler provide excellent beaches, but also the historical spectacle colonial castles such as Castle of San Carlos, Castillete Zapara and Paijana fortified redoubt. In Zulia state, living in different communities (Guajiro Wayuu north and the Guajira peninsula, south Yukpas and state Barí between Machiques and Perijá and Paraujanos), which still retain many of their traditions and native crafts . For tourists visiting the area, it becomes a real cultural experience.