Flag Coat of arms Religion Roman Catholicism Governor Alonso de Ojeda Founded 1501 Historical era Spanish Empire | Languages Spanish Government Monarchy Established 1501 Capital Aragua | |
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The Governorate of New Andalusia (Nueva Andalucia) was a Spanish colonial entity in present-day Venezuela, from 1501 to 1513.
History
In 1501, Alonso de Ojeda colonized the mainland of present-day Venezuela, and received the Governorate of New Andalusia (Coquivacoa), between Cabo de la Vela and Isla Margarita (island). This was territory originally seen by Christopher Columbus.
On May 3, 1502 Ojeda founded the town of Santa Cruz in the Guajira Peninsula, the first Spanish colony in the future Province of Tierra Firme. The settlements were later abandoned for new explorations.
In 1509, authority was granted to Alonso de Ojeda to colonize the territories between Cabo de la Vela and the Gulf of Urabá as part of the Governorate of New Andalusia.
The Governorate of New Andalusia territories were further unified in May 1513 with the Governorate of Castilla de Oro.