Dutch colonisation of the Guianas occurred primarily between the mouths of the Orinoco River in the west and the Amazon River to the east. Their presence in the Guianas was noted by the late 1500s, though many documents of early Dutch discoveries in the region were destroyed. The Dutch were present as far west as the Araya Peninsula in Venezuela utilising salt pans in the area.
Dutch colonization of the Guianas took place primarily between the mouths of the Orinoco River in the west and the Amazon River to the east. Their presence in the Guianas was documented by the late 1500s, though many records of early Dutch discoveries in the region were lost. The Dutch established a presence as far west as the Araya Peninsula in Venezuela, utilizing salt pans in that area.