Located in northeastern Venezuela, 12 miles (19 km) north of the Península de Araya, is the island of Margarita in the Caribbean Sea. The largest of the 70 islands that make up the state of Nueva Esparta, Margarita is also referred to as the Isle of Pearls. Margarita, which is actually two islands connected by a low, narrow isthmus, is roughly 40 miles (65 km) long, 414 square miles (1,072 square km) in area, and has 198 miles (319 km) of coastline with numerous natural harbors. Although the island is generally low, the Cerros del Macanao, or mountains, have the highest elevation at 2,493 feet (760 meters).
After Columbus found Isla de Margarita in 1498, the island soon gained notoriety for its pearls. Over the ages, Dutch and British forces, as well as Indians seeking retribution for slave raids on the mainland, besieged settlements on the island. The revolutionaries received invaluable support from its traders in their fight for independence from Spain. The Spanish general Pablo Morillo was driven from the island's shores in 1817, and Simón Bolívar used it as a base of operations in 1816.
The majority of Margarita's population was native until the early 20th century; those with Spanish ancestry could primarily be found in the Canary Islands. International immigrants have been drawn to the island since 1920, but many islanders have also moved to the mainland in search of better job opportunities. Although there is still farming and grazing, the island imports a net amount of food. The pearl industry remains significant, but there are other sources of income as well, such as fishing, building fishing boats, tourism (particularly since World War II), and the production of tile, ceramics, shoes, hats, and salt. Despite having an airport and serving as the hub of the pearl industry, Porlamar is the most significant city in Asunción. Porlamar has experienced a significant surge in tourism, construction, and trade since it was designated as a duty-free port in the 1970s. Pampatar is home to the biggest port on the island.