much hydroelectric power as any river in Latin America and has contributed significantly to the nation's electric power production. Electricity generated by the Caroní was one of the factors encouraging industrialization of the northern part of the Guiana highlands and the lower Orinoco valley. Lake Maracaibo occupies the central 13,500 square kilometers of the Maracaibo lowlands. The low swampy shores of the lake and areas beneath the lake itself hold most of Venezuela's rich petroleum deposits. The lake is shallow, with an average depth of ten meters, and separated from the Caribbean by a series of islands and sandbars. In 1955 a 7.5-meter channel was cut through the sandbars to facilitate shipping between the lake and the Caribbean. The channel also allows salt water to mix with the yellowish fresh water of the lake, making the northern parts brackish and unsuited for drinking or irrigation. A recent global remote sensing analysis suggested that there were of tidal flats in Venezuela, making it the 36th ranked country in terms of tidal flat extent. Extreme points Northernmost point – Isla Aves Northernmost point (mainland) – Cape San Román Southernmost point – Border with Brazil, Río Negro Municipality, Amazonas Westernmost point – Border with Colombia, Zulia State Easternmost point – Border with Guyana, near Caribbean sea coast, Delta Amacuro State Highest point – Pico Bolívar: Lowest point – Caribbean Sea: 0 m References