The Discovery of Guiana

The Discovery of Guiana refers to European explorations in the 15th and 16th centuries aimed at locating a purported city of gold, El Dorado, in the region now known as Guyana and surrounding areas. Explorers such as Sir Walter Raleigh and others ventured into the Amazon and Orinoco basins, motivated by the legends of riches and new lands. These expeditions expanded European knowledge of South America's geography, cultures, and natural resources, although the mythical gold city was never found. The exploration significantly influenced subsequent colonization, trade, and European understanding of the northern South American continent.