The little Venecia

Alonso de Ojeda in 1499, accompanied by Américo Vespucio, sailed along the northern coast of South America. Arriving at today called the Gulf of Venezuela (maritime entrance to Lake Maracaibo) he found native towns whose homes were built on wooden piles that protruded from the water (palafitos). Vespucio resembled the city of Venice. And it is said that Vespucio called that region Little Venice, Venezziola or Venezuela, a term that would extend to the entire territory.