Gulf of Venezuela facts for kids
The Gulf of Venezuela is a large bay or inlet of the Caribbean Sea. It's located in the northern part of South America. This gulf is surrounded by land from two countries: Venezuela and Colombia. On the Venezuelan side, it touches the states of Zulia and Falcón. On the Colombian side, it's next to the La Guajira Department. The western edge of the gulf is formed by the Guajira Peninsula. A narrow waterway, about 54 kilometers (34 miles) long, connects the gulf to Maracaibo Lake further south.
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Where is the Gulf of Venezuela?
The Gulf of Venezuela is found in the northern part of South America. It sits between two important land areas. To the east, you'll find the Paraguaná Peninsula in Venezuela's Falcón State. To the west, there's the Guajira Peninsula in Colombia.
This gulf is connected to Maracaibo Lake by a special channel. This channel was made by people to help ships travel easily. For a long time, Colombia and Venezuela have had a disagreement about who controls the gulf. They have talked about it for many years, but they haven't found a solution yet.
A Look Back: How the Gulf Was Found
Europeans first saw the Gulf of Venezuela in the year 1499. An explorer named Alonso de Ojeda led a trip along the coast of Venezuela. He was joined by Amerigo Vespucci, who helped map the new lands.
Their group arrived at the gulf after visiting the Netherlands Antilles. They also passed by the Paraguaná Peninsula before reaching this important body of water.
Why is the Gulf Important?
The waters of the Gulf of Venezuela are very important for trade. They create a link between the Caribbean Sea and Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. Lake Maracaibo is a major place for finding crude petroleum, also known as oil.
Companies that work with oil use the gulf to move their products. They ship oil from their wells and refineries in Lake Maracaibo. From there, the oil travels through the gulf to reach markets all over the world.
See also
In Spanish: Golfo de Venezuela para niños
- El Calabozo cove
