Araya Peninsula

It extends westward and encloses a long bay which opens to the west.

To the north is Margarita Island The town of Araya is located on its westernmost extremity.

The western tip of the Araya Peninsula is known for its large, purple-colored natural salt pans, which became a major site of salt mining during the colonial era.

The Dutch and the salt pans: The Dutch North Sea fishing fleet needed a great deal of salt to preserve its catch.

The Dutch also engaged in smuggling and petty piracy, threatened the pearl fishery on Margarita Island and were too numerous for the local Spanish to deal with.