Cabimas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cabimas
View of Cabimas.
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  "La Cenicienta" English: "Cinderella"
Motto(s):  "La fuerza del ciudadano, proviene de la familia ("The strength of the citizen comes from its family")
Cabimas Location in Venezuela
Country	Venezuela
State	Zulia
Counties	Cabimas
Founded	1758
Area
• Total	862 km2 (785 sq mi)
Elevation	3 m (9 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	288,595
• Density	477.81/km2 (1,237.5/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−4 (VET)
Postal code	4013
Area code(s)	(+58) 264, (+58) 371, (+58) 271
Climate	BSh

Cabimas is a city located in northwestern Venezuela. It sits right on the shore of Maracaibo Lake in Zulia State. In 2005, about 200,859 people lived there.

Before the 1900s, Venezuela was known for having lots of oil. A big discovery happened in 1914 with the 'Zumaque I' well. This was near Mene Grande, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) southeast of Cabimas. But it was a huge oil gush from the Barroso No. 2 well in Cabimas in 1922 that really changed things. This event made Venezuela a major oil producer in the world.

Today, Cabimas is still very important for Venezuela's oil industry. Many of the country's largest oil fields are found around and under Lake Maracaibo. While other oil fields are growing, Cabimas remains a key area. Most of Venezuela's oil processing happens in other places.

Exploring the City of Cabimas

The city of Cabimas covers an area of 604 square kilometers (233 square miles). It has a population of about 256,993 people. This means there are about 425 people living in each square kilometer.

Cabimas is bordered by Lake Maracaibo to the west. To the north, you'll find the Santa Rita and Miranda areas. The state of Lara is to the east. To the south are the Simón Bolívar and Lagunillas areas.

Neighborhoods of Cabimas

Cabimas has many different neighborhoods. Here are some of them:

What Does "Cabimas" Mean?

The name "Cabima" comes from an old local word. It refers to a type of tree called Copaiba, also known as the oil stick. This tree, Copaifera officialis, produces an oil from its trunk. This oil was used for medicine and crafts.

A Brief History of Cabimas

Cabimas was first started in 1758 by a group of monks. They called it the Mission of Saint Ambrosio of Punta de Piedra. This mission was located in what is now the "La Mision" area. Even though some old remains have been found, no original walls are left.

The town's existence was mentioned in 1771 by a Venezuelan Archbishop named Mariano Marti. Cabimas grew as a small fishing village by Lake Maracaibo. Then, oil was discovered! The Venezuelan Oil Concessions (VOC) found oil with the Santa Barbara (R2) well in 1917.

However, it was the "Los Barrosos 2" (R4) well in 1922 that made Cabimas famous. This well had a huge oil gush of 100,000 barrels per day. News of this event spread worldwide. Many oil companies and workers from other parts of Venezuela and even other countries came to Cabimas. This caused the city's population to grow very quickly. Most foreign workers were from America or the Netherlands.

How Cabimas Grew with Oil

The city of Cabimas grew and changed a lot because of the oil industry. The main streets, like F, G, H, J, K, L, 31, 32, and 33, were named using a special system. This system was created by the Shell oil company to help them find their oil wells.

People from all over Venezuela moved to Cabimas. Many came from the eastern parts of the country, the Andes mountains, and Falcon state. One area, "Corito," was even named after Coro, the capital of Falcon state. Other areas got their names from nearby oil facilities, like the R5 and R10 streets (named after oil wells) and the Gasplant sector (named after a natural gas facility).

The city developed around oil field camps. These camps included places like Las 40's, Las 50's, Concordia, Hollywood, Campo Blanco, Campo Staff (now Las Palmas), and Las Cupulas. People who arrived built their homes around these camps, so the city didn't have a strict plan for its growth. Many immigrants from Syria, Lebanon, China, Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece also settled here. They helped shape the local markets.

Besides oil production, Cabimas made another important mark on history. It was where the first workers' union in Venezuela was founded. This was the Oil Workers and Employees Union (SOEP), which started in 1936 and still operates in the same building today.

Geography of Cabimas

Weather in Cabimas

The weather in Cabimas is usually hot and humid. The average temperature stays above 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) all year round. Oil well flares release a lot of carbon dioxide, which can make the area even hotter. There isn't much rain for most of the year, but when it does rain, it can be very heavy.

Land and Soil

The land in Cabimas is mostly flat. There are some low areas that used to be lagoons but were dried up to build houses. For example, a place in Guavina is still called "the swamp."

The soil is mostly sand with very few rocks. This, along with water underground, can cause the streets to collapse during heavy rains. This creates noticeable holes in the roads.

Economy and Life in Cabimas

The main activity in Cabimas is the oil industry. This has been true since the "Barroso 2" well was discovered in 1922. Today, oil fields like La Rosa (on land) and La Salina (in Lake Maracaibo) are still active. These fields produce medium to heavy oil.

Cabimas does not have facilities to manage or transport natural gas. For many decades, the gas produced has simply been burned off. However, there is a plan to build a special plant for processing natural gas.

Local markets are another important part of Cabimas's economy. Many large stores are owned by immigrants from Europe, the Middle East, and Colombia. Fishing is also done, but it faces challenges from pollution in Lake Maracaibo and safety concerns.

There are some factories, like one that makes plastic bags. There used to be an industrial area, but it's no longer in use. In the countryside, especially in the Aristides Calvani area, people grow fruit trees and raise cattle.

Getting Around Cabimas

Cars and Vans

In Cabimas, there are no public bus routes. Instead, people use old cars and vans for public transportation. Many of these vehicles are from the 1970s and are not always well-maintained. Locals call them "carritos."

These "carritos" can take you almost anywhere in Cabimas from the main terminal. This is a good thing compared to cities like Maracaibo or Caracas, which don't have a central transport station. Each route has a name and a specific color on the taxi cap. The cost of transport is very low because gasoline in Venezuela is extremely cheap.

Here are some of the lines that go to the terminal:

• Ambrosio (Blue cap with white letters)
• Bello Monte (Purple cap with white letters)
• Concordia (White cap with blue or black letters)
• Corito (Green cap with white letters)
• El Lucero (White cap with blue letters)
• Gasplant (Vans) (Blue cap with red letters)
• H y Cabillas (Red cap with white letters)
• H y Delicias (White cap with red letters)
• Las 40's (Yellow cap with blue corners and blue letters)
• Nueva Cabimas (Orange cap with white letters)
• Punta Gorda (Blue cap with yellow letters)

Some other lines operate in the city but don't come to the terminal:

• H5
• 32 (Yellow cap with blue letters and red corners, with two pine trees as a symbol)

Some lines have very long routes and offer alternate paths:

• Ambrosio / Golfito-Amparo-Amparito (Identified with white letters on the windshield)
• Nueva Cabimas / Nueva Rosa

Ports and Docks

The port of La Salina is very important for oil. It has an artificial island and is one of the main docks for oil tankers on Lake Maracaibo. From here, crude oil is shipped to places like the United States, Europe, or Asia.

There are also smaller private docks for oil service companies, like the Halliburton dock in Las Palmas. The Fishing dock is located at the Boulevart Costanero. It is used by small fishing boats. Cabimas does not have docks for commercial ships or tourists.

Famous Places in Cabimas

• Oil Workers and Employees Union (SOEP) of Cabimas: This building is on El Rosario street. It was the first workers' union in Venezuela, founded in 1936 by Jorge Hernández.
• El Barroso Square: You can find this on Intercomunal Avenue, in the Santa Clara area. It marks the spot of the famous "Barroso 2" oil well. This well had a massive oil gush in December 1922. Today, the well is dry, but there's an oil pump monument there. A professor named Orlando Mendez helped create this monument.
• Monument to the Oil Workers: This monument is on the Nuevo Juan highway. It's a statue of two oil workers tightening a valve. Local artist Lucidio Gonzalez created it in 1995.

Churches in Cabimas

• Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral: This is the main Catholic church in Cabimas, located on Independencia Avenue. It holds images of Our Lady of the Rosary, who protects Cabimas, and Saint Benedict of Palermo. The Our Lady of the Rosary fair happens every October. Saint Benedict's day is celebrated on December 27 and January 6. This Cathedral is the oldest church in Cabimas.
• Saint John the Baptist Church, Principal Av., La Rosa Vieja Sector. Founded in 1953.
• La Rosa Church. Principal Av La Rosa. Founded in 1965.
• Saint Martin of Porres Church. Andres Bello Av, Ambrosio sector.
• Saint Joseph church. Cumana Av Concordia Sector.
• Our Lady of the Valley Church Av 32nd Nueva Cabimas sector.
• Jesus Heart church. Intercomunal Av las Cabillas sector.
• Saint Peter church. Principal Av Las Delicias, with backstreet San Benito, Delicias Nuevas sector, founded in 2005.
• Saint Francis of Asis Church in Francisco de Miranda sector.
• Episcopal Charismatic Church of Venezuela (Bethabara Cathedral), Federacion street with 18 de Octubre, Tierra Negra sector.
• Christian Evangelic Church Savor Light, Principal Av Cabimas with Vereda del Lago street, next to Las Palmas camp, was the first Protestant church in Cabimas founded 70 years ago.
• Saint Francis of Asis church, located in the sector Francisco de Miranda, founded in 1988 by Father Angel Andueza.
• La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias

Parks, Squares, and Museums

• Bolivar Park: This park is on Independence Avenue, in front of the Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral. It started as a square for the church in 1824. It is currently being rebuilt.
• Highway El Rosario: This road connects different parts of the city and has walkways and gardens. It's a popular spot for public events like concerts and fairs.
• Highway Nuevo Juan: This highway has the Monument to the Oil Workers.
• Concordia Square. Las Flores street Concordia sector.
• El Leon Square. Andres Bello Av, Ambrosio sector. Reshaped in 2007.
• El Mirador square. Andres Bello Av, El Golfito sector, in front of the Adolfo D'Empaire Public Hospital. Next to Saint Benedict Square.
• General Rafael Urdaneta square. Chile Av, las 50's sector.
• Las 40's square. Between the 1st and 2nd las 40's streets with Carabobo street.
• Los Chimbángeles square. Andres Bello Av, El Golfito sector, it has a monument to Saint Benedict of Palermo.
• Miraflores square. Carabobo square, between H road and Cumana Av.

Fun Fairs and Celebrations

El Rosario Fair

This fair is held every October. It includes a beauty pageant where a "Queen of the Rosary Fair" is chosen. You can enjoy:

• Live concerts with music.
• A procession for Our Lady of the Rosary, who is seen as a protector of Cabimas.
• The Chamber of Trade and Industry of Cabimas Exposition (EXPOCAICOC).
• Mechanical games like a Ferris wheel, rollercoaster, and haunted house.
• Parades with civic bands.

Saint Benedict of Palermo Party

Saint Benedict of Palermo is a special saint in the Catholic Church. Cabimas celebrates him with two big processions. These happen on December 27 and January 6 each year. One procession goes from the Cathedral to the Mission stadium, and the other goes from the Cathedral to La Rosa Parish church. The routes switch each year.

People join the procession by dancing and playing African drums called Chimbangeles. They also carry blue flags, maracas, and horns. Many professional Chimbangele drum bands parade on these days. About 300,000 people join, making it the biggest procession in Zulia state! Saint Benedict is also celebrated in other nearby towns.

Learning and Culture

• House of the Culture of Cabimas: This building is on Rosario street. It has the public library and an archeological museum. The museum shows items from ancient cultures and the early oil industry. It also has a dance and theater school, a civil band, and a place for writers to meet.
• Pedro Oporto School of Visual Arts: Located next to the culture house, this school offers classes in painting and sculpture.
• House Museum Margarita Soto: This museum is on Andrés Bello Avenue. It was the home of Margarita Soto, a painter and midwife. Some of her artworks are displayed here.

Universities in Cabimas

Cabimas has several places for higher education:

• University Institute Juan Pablo Perez Alfonzo.
• University Institute Monsenor of Talavera.
• Polytechnical Institute Santiago Mariño.
• University Institute Tecnologic of Cabimas (IUTC).
• Zulia University East Coast of the Lake Nucleous.
• National Experimental University Rafael Maria Baralt (UNERMB).

High Schools in Cabimas

• E. T. I. Industrial Technical School "Juan Ignacio Valbuena": This school helps young people learn skills for industry.
• Christian Educative Unit Professor Armando Suarez Malave: This school is named after a geography and history professor. It offers different study paths, including kindergarten education and sciences.
• Hermagoras Chavez High School: This school helps students prepare for university in sciences, humanities, and business.
• U.E. Isabel Maldonado Blanco: Known for its high educational standards and smaller class sizes.
• Colegio Juan XXIII: A Catholic school with strong ties to the Italian community.

Media in Cabimas

Television

• TV COL: This local TV station is part of the Intercable network. It has studios that produce news and TV shows.

Radio Stations

• Radio Libertad 620 AM: This is the oldest radio station, broadcasting since 1960. It's a popular news station and can be heard in many parts of Venezuela. It is highly respected by the people of Cabimas.
• Favoritas 97.9 FM (Formerly Radio Fonica Cabimas 1250 AM)
• Zumaque 90.5 FM
• Circuito CRF. Cabimas 107.9 FM
• Bolivariana 95.9 FM
• Alfa 104 FM
• Costa 105.5 FM

Press

While there are no newspapers or magazines made in Cabimas, you can find offices for the newspapers Panorama, El Regional, and La Verdad here.

Sports in Cabimas

Past Teams

• Professional Venezuelan Baseball League: Los Petroleros de Cabimas.
• Professional Basketball League: Cabimas Dolphins.

Current Teams

• Venezuelan Soccer (Football) League: Real Cabimas F.C. They play at La Salina stadium and have won many championships.
• Minor League LUZ - Cabimas: A youth baseball team that was a world runner-up in 2005.
• Bicycle team Cabimas City hall.
• Rugby team Cabimas Tigers R.F.C.
• Criollitos of Venezuela- Ramon Castillo- Cubs: A youth baseball team that has won many trophies.

Mayors of Cabimas

The Mayor is the top leader of the Cabimas municipality. They work from the city hall with a group of councilors. These councilors represent the different areas (parishes) of the municipality.

Venezuela is divided into states, similar to how the United States has states. Each state is then divided into municipalities, which are led by a mayor. Each municipality has several parishes, which are smaller parts of cities or countryside.

The Cabimas municipality was created in 1990. This was when mayors and governors were first directly chosen by the people. The city of Cabimas includes some of the municipality's parishes. Other parishes, like Punta Gorda and Aristides Calvani, cover separate towns or rural areas.

Here are some of the past and current mayors:

• Hernán Alemán (1989–1995 and 2000–2008)
• Noe Acosta (1995–2000)
• Felix Bracho (2008–2012 and 2013-2017)
• Pedro Duarte (2017-2021)
• Nabil Maalouf (2021-2025)

Famous People from Cabimas

• Eleidy Aparicio, a beauty pageant winner.
• Migbelis Castellanos, Miss Venezuela 2013.
• Vic Davalillo, a former Major League Baseball player.
• Yo-Yo Davalillo, a former Major League Baseball player and manager.
• Pablo López, a professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.
• Gabriel Moya, a former baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.
• Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia, a professional bodybuilder.
• Miguel Yajure (born 1998), a Major League Baseball pitcher.