Coordinates 11°30′N 71°0′W / 11.5, -71The Gulf of Venezuela or gulf of Coquivacoa is a gulf of the Caribbean Sea bounded by the Venezuelan states of Zulia and Falcón and the Colombian department (state) of Guajira. A 54&_160;km (34&_160;mi) strait connects it with Lake Maracaibo to the south.
The Gulf is located in the north of South America, between the peninsulas of Paraguaná of the Falcón State in Venezuela and Guajira's in Colombia and is connected to the Lake Maracaibo through an artificial navigation canal. There is currently a dispute between Colombia and Venezuela over the gulf that has not been resolved, despite the decades-long negotiations conducted by a bilateral commission.
It was discovered by westerners in 1499 when an expedition commanded by Alonso de Ojeda in which he was accompanied by Amerigo Vespucci, explored the Venezuelan coasts compiling information and naming the new lands, said expedition arrived to the gulf after passing through the Netherlands Antilles and the Peninsula of Paraguaná.
