La Guardia, Nueva Esparta Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids La Guardia
Town
View from La Guardia looking west to the rugged Macanao Peninsula
La Guardia Location in Venezuela
Country	Venezuela
State	Nueva Esparta
Municipality	Municipio Díaz
Climate	BSh

La Guardia is a fishing and tourist town. It is located on the northwest coast of Isla Margarita in Venezuela.

Where is La Guardia?
The History of La Guardia
What People Do in La Guardia
Gallery
See also

Where is La Guardia?

La Guardia is found at the eastern end of a long, narrow strip of land. This strip is like a natural bridge. It stretches over 15 miles (24 km) from the main part of Margarita Island. It reaches all the way to Punta Tigre on the Macanao Peninsula.

This land strip lies between the Laguna de la Restinga and the Caribbean Sea. The Laguna de la Restinga is a beautiful lagoon. The strip of land is made of rocks, pebbles, and many sea shells. This natural strip also forms the northern edge of one of the world's largest bays.

The History of La Guardia

The area where La Guardia is today had an older name. It was called Caranta-maura. This name means "great bay" in the guaiquerí language. Later, it was known as Bufadero. The name Bufadero was first written down in a document from 1754. It described a place on the coast.

In 1765, a new Governor of Margarita, José de Matos y Rabel, arrived. He wrote a letter to the King of Spain. In his letter, he said he had placed two guards at this spot. They were there to stop illegal trading. This is how the town got its current name, "La Guardia," which means "The Guard."

Even after this, the name Bufadero still appeared on maps. It was also used in records of cattle sales until the early 1800s. The name "La Guardia" became official much later. In 1872, records show houses being built near "the house of La Guardia in Bufadero." By 1899, the place was officially called Caserío (hamlet) La Guardia. In 1915, it was briefly renamed Zabala, but most people still use La Guardia.

What People Do in La Guardia

Many people in La Guardia work as fishermen. They catch a variety of seafood. This includes mussels, oysters, octopus, mackerel, and corocoro (a type of gruntfish).

The town celebrates its patron saint, the Virgin de María Auxiliadora. This special day is on May 24th each year. People have parades, church services, and events in the town square. Fishermen also celebrate the Virgen del Carmen on July 16th. They carry her image in a long parade along the bay.