Timeline of Venezuela's Conquest and Independence

Venezuela's path from pre-Columbian societies to republic:

• Pre-1498: Inhabited by Carib, Arawak, Cumanagoto, and other groups; complex chiefdoms, agriculture, trade.
• 1498: Christopher Columbus lands on Paria Peninsula (Third Voyage); claims for Spain.
• 1522: First permanent Spanish settlement: Cumaná. Colony of "Venezuela" (Little Venice) established.
• 1528–1546: Welser concession (German bankers govern); search for El Dorado.
• 1777: Captaincy General of Venezuela created (administrative autonomy from Viceroyalty of New Granada).
• 1810–1811: April 19, 1810: Junta established. July 5, 1811: Declaration of Independence (First Republic).
• 1812–1819: First/Second Republics fall; Bolívar's Admirable Campaign; 1819: Gran Colombia formed (Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador).
• 1830: Venezuela separates from Gran Colombia → Sovereign Republic.

"Conquest" spanned 1498–1522 (effective occupation); independence was won 1811–1823 (Carabobo), consolidated 1830.