Isla Margarita
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The Isla de Margarita is a Caribbean island that is part of the territory of Venezuela. It is part of the Lesser Antilles. It forms the main part of the state of Nueva Esparta. On it is also the capital of the state, La Asunción is located with its colonial church and the Fort of Santa Rosa. Largest city is Porlamar. The area of the island is 956.8 kilometers ².
History
Before the arrival of Europeans, the Guaiqueri, descendants of the Caribs and Arawaks inhabited the island, which they called Paraguachoa (meaning place with rich fishing grounds ); see also Pre-Columbian cultures.
During his third expedition, Christopher Columbus discovered the island in August 1498 and named it after the massive beads occurrence (Margarita 's called " pearl "). According to tradition, "discovered" him the pearl fishers of the islands and to the Spaniards have richly rewarded.
To 1560/1561 around the island was briefly haunted by the Spaniards Lope de Aguirre, which the Spanish crown had canceled and established a reign of terror on the island. At that time, many, according to Aguirre's opinion, unreliable soldiers killed and much of the native population.
Today, the Isla de Margarita is a popular holiday and tourist destination in the Southern Caribbean, where most of the tourists German and Dutch make. Tourist beaches Playa el Agua and Playa Parguito in the North East are well developed. Worth seeing is the Laguna de la Restinga and the desert-like, sparsely populated peninsula Macanao is (both in the West). In the south is El Yaque, which is considered one of the premier windsurfing spots in the world.
Ferry services consists among other things from the harbor Punta de Piedras to Puerto de la Cruz on the mainland.
Larger cities
Porlamar
The South East is the most densely populated area of Isla Margarita. There is the largest city on the island, Porlamar, which is considered to be the economic center of Margarita. The center of town has narrow streets and alleys with small shops. The most elegant shops are located in the mutually at right angles extending main streets " Avenida Santiago Mariño " and "4 de Mayo ". Other shops are the ( de Mercado Conejero ) in the west as well as the shopping center " Centro Zambil " in the north. To the east, where the city spreads out and enlarged, there are modern main roads and extensive residential areas. Here the composer Inocente Carreño was born in 1919. Porlamar has its own international airport ( IATA code: PMV).
Pampatar
East of Porlamar is Pampatar. A smaller se place with beautiful beach promenade, many restaurants and about 35,000 residents.
Juan Griego
A lying to the north of the island of Margarita small town with many small shops, a few restaurants right on the beach, and a small shopping center. Juan Griegos beaches are very popular because of the visible there sunsets.
Pictures
Street scene in Porlamar
Street scene in Pampatar