马拉开波湖位于委内瑞拉西北部,是拉丁美洲第一大湖。面积14,300多平方公里,由于这里盛产石油,故有“石油湖”之称。目前委内瑞拉已探明的石油蕴藏量约210亿桶,马拉开波油田就约占四分之一。这里的油层约在湖底1,500米深处,由于蕴藏量大,黑色的原油常常从湖畔的沥青裂缝中溢出飘浮在水面上。据说,早在欧洲殖民者发现美洲大陆之前,居住在这个地区的印第安人就在湖区发现了石油,并用它点灯照明。 1878年,委内瑞拉开始生产石 Maracaibo Lake, located in northwestern Venezuela, is the largest lake in Latin America. With an area of ​​over 14,300 square kilometers, it is known as the “oil lake” because it is rich in oil. At present, the proven oil reserves in Venezuela are about 21 billion barrels, and the Maracaibo oil field accounts for about a quarter. The oil layer here is about 1,500 meters deep at the bottom of the lake. Due to the large reserves, black crude oil often overflows from asphalt cracks on the lake and floats on the water. It is said that long before the European settlers discovered the American continent, the Indians who lived in the area discovered oil in the lake area and used it to light the lights. In 1878, Venezuela began to produce stone