Margarita Island was originally inhabited by Guaiqueiri Indians and was a stop on Christopher Columbus' journey in 1498. In 1525, it was colonized by settlers from Spain.
The island has a diverse landscape, including desert, valleys and beaches. The western part of the island, known as the Macanao Peninsula, features coastlines filled with cacti, mountains and mangrove swamps. On the eastern side are green valleys and busy towns such as La Asunción, the capital of the island. In the north are beaches lined with palm trees, such as Playa El Agua, Playa El Yasque, Playa Caribe and Punta de Arena.
Many of the people on Margarita Island live in fishing villages along the coast and work in the fishing industry. Tourism and construction are two other industries in which a number of residents are employed.
Activity is centered around the island's beaches and rivers. People go scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and windsurfing. Playa El Yasque is a good place for windsurfing. Other popular activities for tourists and residents are parascending and climbing.
Historic sites include Cathedral de la Asuncion, a church built in 1571 that is the oldest in Venezuela; Fortin la Galera, the site of a bloody battle against Spain during Venezuela's War of Independence; Castillo de Santa Rosa, a castle built in 1677, and the Ruins of Nueva Cadiz.
