Diario las Américas., 1958-01-11
Know thv
Neighboti
BY ANTONIO RUIZ

VENEZUELA Originating In
the Parma mountains the Orinoco
River flows for 1900 miles through
Northern South America. 1t flows
first to the northwest then to the
north, forming part of the bounda-
ry between Venezuela and Colon
bia. 1t then turns eastward, flow
ing through the Venezuelan
plains, and spreads into a great
delta as it joins the sea near the
island of Trinidad.
1t is believed that Alfonso de
Ojeda, using a map drawn up by
Columbus, was the first white man
to see the great Orinoco Delta.
Of the many explorers who tried
to uncover the mysteries of the
great river, the best known was
Diego de Ordaz, and, most familiar
to the United States, Sir Walter
Raleigh. Ordz was the first Fro
pean to actually penetrate the ORR
noco country. When he started in
1881 on his expedition in the great
river, he had. more or less, an
idea of the great difficulties he
had. more or less, an idea of
the great difficulties would en-
counter, since he had been an ex-
plorer with Cortes before.
After many difficulties, includ.
ing large and small rapids that
had to be passed, Ordz reached
Carichana, hundreds of miles ups
tream, near the mouth of the Me-
ia River, one CT the largest tri-
butarieS flowing from the East.
In that site he and his men rested,
replenished their provisions and
repaired their boats. There they
heard tales of the rich peoples
who lived on the western slopes
of the Andes, and tried to continue
their journey up the Orinoco.
The Atures rapids, however, fore
ed them to turn back, and they
attempted then to 60 up the Meta.
but the dry season had come, and
the river was little more than mud
in many places
Ordaz returned downstream to
the Gulf of Paria, determined to
reach the Province of Meta" by
an overland route, but his plans
were thwarted by revolt. BY his
constant and unnecessary cruelty
to the Indians, he had alienated
his men, and by his extravagant
claims he had come into conflict
with the Spanish authorities in
the island of Cubagua, off the Ven,
ezuelan coast. The Mayor of Cuba
qua arrested him and the two sail
ed for Santo Domingo, to have
their q.arrel settled by higher au.
thoritieS. However, they continued
to Spain, but Diego de Ordaz died
on the way, and rumors spread
later that he had been poisoned
by the mayor.
Alfonso de Herrera, who had
been Ordaz's camp master, was the
next mar to defy the dangers OF
the Orinoco lands. He was highly
respected by his men, but hated
by the Indians. In spite of many
hardsnips during the trip, Here.
ra and his men succeeded in reach.
ing the Meta, but again it was
the dry season and the water was
often so low that they were fore.
ed to wade waist-deep in the mud,
pushing their boats before them
or to struggle on deep thickets
along the banks, Herrera never
knew the outcome of that expedi.
ton, for he was killed by a poison.
ed arrow, and his men, lacking a
a capable leader turned back.
/ Antonio de Berrio, starting from
Bogot, made several expeditions
to the Orinoco and, finally, start.
ing down one of the uppermost
streams of the Orinoco System in
| March, 1890, he came out at the
mouth in September, 1891, which
was considered. "a superb achieve.
ment'
In March, 1895, Sir Walter Ra.
leigh, attracted by the Fantastic
story of Ell Dorado, stormed a
town on the island of Trinidad
where he encountered and captur
ed Berrio, proceeding then with
his men UP the Orinoco to its
juncture with the Caronf, on which
formidable falls blocked their way
After various operations ON the
mainland, in the course of which
Berrio was released, Raleigh return
ed to England.
Spanish Version Page 3.