Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-11-29
Special Correspondence.

Special correspondence
Maracaibo, Venezuela, Oct. IA, 1907
You should bear in mind that this great
inland sea Of Maracaibo--wedged be-
tween Colombia and Venezuela, but
claimed by the last named country as
a part Of the state OF Zuia--ls 1877 miles
long by between 70 and lO0'mles wide,
and that the city OF the same namt,
with population of perhaps 10000, Is
situated near the foot Of the lake, and
on its western shore, The vast body
of water has more than 400 miles OF
shore line and receives tribute from
several hundred rivers and smaller
streams, many OF them nayigable Ions
distances into the heart of Venezuela,
and the adjoining republic of Colombia.
4 All the region round about is extremely
fertile, being well watered. and lnyis
Grated by tropical heat and constant
humidity. 1t is also a region OF excep-
tional healthfulness so near TO the
equatorial line, as well as scenically
Beautiful, being bordered on the south
and west by the foothills Of the Andes,
which rise majestically range above
range. to snowcapped mountain masses,
whose tops are lost In the clouds, The
state of Zulia, which contains Lake
+ Maracaibo, contains also portions of
the Andes; and upon one OF their foot
B hills, at an elevaltno of something over
6.000 feet, stands the ancient city OF
Merida, one OF the largest in Venezuela,
until destroyed by the earthquake OF
1Slg. Merida has now about $4,000 in
habitants, and appears TO be renewing
It's oldtlme prosperity, owing, no doubt,
10 the recently established railway
Communication with a point of river
and lake navigation. lO6 miles distant.
II does not require prophets vision
TO foretel that this portion of Vene2ue-
Ia is destined to become its most pros
porous and populous-n0t only because
OF It's greater beauty, salubrity and
productiyeness, but also by reason OF
its matchless lake and numerous water
ways, which afford remote parts OF the
republic convenient access to the mar.
kets Of the world.
AZ Maracaibo City occupies n sandbank,
only a few feet above the level Of
the lake. Notwithstanding pest OF
neas, flies and other singing and
creeping things, and the fact that its
mean annual temperature Is above so
Negroes Fahrenheit, IL Is considered re.
markedly healthy. as tropical cities go.
IT Is singular fact that sunstroke IL
unknown In the tropics, and In spite Of
The excessive heat and occasional cpl
denies, the deathrate of Maracaibo city
10 really lower, according to population,
Than that Of New York, Boston or Chi
cago. However, foreigners may easily
make the acquaintance Of the cemetery
~ little carelessness In Drawing the
Midday sun, when all the local world
taking Its needed siesta, and by in
Qulging too freely in fruits and native
Rguardiente. BY the way, within full
light or the city, far out In the lake.
you see q group of lovely palm shaded
islands; but do not let Mother Ewes
curiosity tempt YOU TO closer investlga-
4ion, FOR they are occupied by large
4nd Increasing colony OF lepers.
y Maracaibo's harbor would be the best
u venezuela, were not the passage be-
tween Columbus Gulf OF Sorrow"
a THE OUTER LAGOON,
and the lake proper, so shallow that
vessels drawing more than II feet OF
water cannot go through II with safety,
sight here is fine chance for sons
>nterprislng Yankee with a knack at
engineering 10 make his everlasting
fortune. by obtaining from the Vene.
xuelan government some valuable con-
cessions In connection with deepening
this entrance 10 Lake Maracaibo and
Keep II open. The passage Is supposed
20 be effectually guarded by San Car
ios castle, and is bristlelng guns; but
tne fact remains that war vessels. as
Wei as buccaneers without number,
nave successfully defied IT, About a
century ago three British men-of-w
On mischief bent, made their way into
tne lake, the passage being consldera-
pIy deeper then than now. Two OF them
skere captured In Maracalbo harbor by
Gen. Paez, the gallant cavalry leader,
VINO hastily organized a troop OF horse
end under cover of darkness swan out
upon his horses 10 the vessels, where
- and his men abandoned the animals
Az scrambled aboard. surprised the
smtrles and captured the two vessels
neafest the shore. The third man-of-
WI slipped her cable and escaped.
Like most other tropical cities, Ma
rHchoo has narrow and therefore more
stsiy shaded streets. Its tlle-roofed
1ouses have walls from three to five
1est thick. and very high rooms ranged