 |
The sweet water lake near Maracaibo is one of the largest sweet water lakes in the world. Along her beaches live people in pile dwellings. Venezuela ("small Venice") got its name from these villages. Photo: Stichting Huize Aarde |
 |
During the seventies of the 20th century the water of lake Maracaibo was still potable. Photo: Stg. Huize Aarde |
 |
Pelicans are waiting for the return of the fishermen. Photo: Stg. Huize Aarde |
 |
A fisherman shows proudly his fishing water to his son. He is happy with his life and hopes that his son could succeed his living as a fisherman. Photo: Stg. Huize Aarde |
 |
Flamingos are flying in front of the boat. Photo: Stg. Huize Aarde |
 |
However, the catch is declining very fast. The fisher community is worrying about their future. What is the cause? See the photo album about the salt winning. Photo: Stg. Huize Aarde |
 |
Inhabitants of Maracaibo dump their waste in and around the lake. |
 |
A consequence is that waste is piling up under the pile dwellings near the city. |
 |
Maracaibo has much petrochemical industry. Frequently the city is covered with clouds of unpleasant smells. Industrial wastewater is drained into the lake. |
 |
Children that swim every day in the contaminated lake get skin tumours. A little girl with the same sort of tumours just died. Photo: Stg. Huize Aarde |