The Lightning Capital of the World

Where in the world receives the most lightning strikes? You might be surprised to learn it's not a place in the US, which does have regions with high frequency of lightning strikes, but an entirely different continent.

Welcome to Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, known as the Lightning Capital of the World.

According to NASA, this lake has the highest concentration of lightning, with approximately 232 flashes per square kilometer per year.

The specific weather conditions of this region create the perfect storm for the electric spectacle.

Warm winds coming from the Caribbean Sea collide with cool air from the Andes, causing dramatic thunderstorms.

This spectacle is so common that it's even been used for navigation, and fisherman have dubbed the phenomenon 'Maracaibo's Lighthouse'.

If you're a storm chaser or simply an adventurous admirer of Mother Nature's power, Lake Maracaibo is the ultimate destination..