The Eclipse Path through Venezuela

The February 26th Total Solar Eclipse path crosses through a narrow corridor on the northwest of Venezuela. The umbral shadow crosses into Venezuela from Colombia along the border into the venezuelan state of Zulia where Maracaibo, the most populated city along the whole eclipse path, will enjoy almost three minutes of totality. Maracaibo is a large metropolis of almost 2 million inhabitants situated along the straight that leads into the Maracaibo Lake. The center line lies about 50 kms. to the northwest of Maracaibo and is easily accesible by road via the coastal route leading northwest from the city through San Rafael del Mojan to the very small town of Sinamaica or along the inland route through the petroleum fields of Campo Mara to Carrasquero just 12 kms. north of the center line. As the umbral shadow moves northeast, it crosses the Gulf of Venezuela and touches land once again in the state of Falcon before leaving the country as it enters the Caribbean Sea. The Paraguana Penninsula is dominated by the oil refinery situated along the southern coast near the city of Punto Fijo and two very important tourist attractions: the Coro Sand Dunes along the isthmus and the beaches on the northwest coast. Punto Fijo, about 25 kms. south of the center line, will experience 3 minutes and 27 seconds of totality. The extreme northern point of the Penninsula, Cabo San Roman, is situated just a few kilometers north of the central line and can be reached using a vehicle with four wheel drive.

Following is a list of the most important cities and towns which lie along the eclipse path through Venezuela. Times of contacts are given in UTC. For the complete list, please refer to NASA Reference Publication 1383 "Total Solar Eclipse of 1998 February 26" by Fred Espenak and Jay Anderson.

Courtesy by COVESOL'98

Eclipse Live'98
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