2006-09-12 05:17:13 · 3 answers · asked by Kliment N 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Geography
Christopher Columbus first sighted the coast of Venezuela in 1498. In 1499 Spanish explorer Alonso de Ojeda followed the coast to Lake Maracaibo. He named the region Venezuela, or Little Venice, because the Native American buildings constructed on stilts along the lake’s edge reminded him of the Italian city of Venice, which was built on a series of islands in a lagoon.
A Spanish colony for more than 300 years, Venezuela became one of the first of Spain’s South American colonies to declare its independence in the early 19th century. Formerly known as the Republic of Venezuela, the country changed its official name to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in 1999. The name is in reference to Símon Bólivar, the military leader who helped win independence for Venezuela and other South American countries.
KKG
2006-09-13 23:50:51 · answer #1 · answered by WA KKG 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
And to Island guy, that village still stands today, just outside of Maracaibo.
The people who still live there were once attacked and run from their villages. They escaped and built a "village" in the lake. Houses are on stilts, a school, a jail, and restaurants. I dined in that restaurant. Of course, all transportation is by boat.
2006-09-12 05:27:30 · answer #2 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Spaniards.
Venezuela is spanish for "little Venice", because early explorers found local people living in stilt houses in lakes. How about that?
2006-09-12 05:20:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋