MARACAYBO, MARACAIBO, or NUEVA ZAMORA, a town of Venezuela, in South America, capital of the province of the same name, is situated on the W. shore of the strait connecting the Lake of Maracaybo with the sea, 175 miles E.N.E. of Santa Marta, and 320 W. by N. of La Guayra; N. Lat. 10. 41., W. Long. 71. 40. The town is situated on a dry and sandy soil; and the houses are for the most part built of wood, and are thatched with reeds. This gives the town a mean appearance, and renders it very subject to fires. The only public buildings worthy of mention are,—the parish church (an elegant edifice), a chapel, a Franciscan convent, and an hospital. The harbour is deep, but there is a shifting bar at its mouth which prevents large vessels from entering; the anchorage is safe, however, being sheltered by three islands, called San Carlos, Zapara, and Bajo Seco, on each of which stands a castle for its defence. The town carries on a considerable trade, being the principal port for the provinces of Merida and Truxillo, and some of the districts of New Grenada. Cocoa, coffee, honey, sugar, tobacco, ropes, &c., are brought from the interior to Maracaybo, and are thence exported by foreign vessels to other countries. A considerable number of ships are built here. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in nautical pursuits, and are said to form excellent sailors. Many of them also find employment in tending the large herds of cattle which are bred in the neighbourhood. The climate of Maracaybo is oppressively hot; and in the summer season earthquakes are frequent, as well as violent thunder-storms, accompanied with torrents of rain. The province of Maracaybo extends round the lake of the same name, and is low, flat, and unhealthy. Area, 33,082 square miles. It is inhabited chiefly by natives; and had in 1854 a population of 59,311. Pop. of town 14,000.