Christopher Columbus first sights Venezuela during his…
August 1498 CE
Christopher Columbus first sights Venezuela during his third voyage to the New World, when he sees the Peninsula de Paria from his ship at anchor off the coast of the island of Trinidad.
Three days later, on August 1, 1498, Columbus becomes the first European to set foot on the South American mainland.
Unaware of the significance of his discovery and of the vastness of the continent, he christens the territory Isla de Garcia.
He spends the next two weeks exploring the Orinoco Delta.
Fascinated with the vast source of fresh water and the pearl ornaments of the native population, Columbus believes that he has discovered the Garden of Eden.