Geological reasoning in the first descriptions of the Guianese territory Venezuelan territory

Abstract

The geological reasoning in the first descriptions of the Guianese Venezuelan Guayana territory rested fundamentally on the outline of the on the outline of the outer forms of the earth's crust and the characteristics of the soils the characteristics of the soils of the region, made in the 16th century by the Catalan Capuchins. century by the Catalan Capuchins. The history of The history of mining in Guayana began with the Capuchins. They explored iron mines, set up forges in their missions, and learned of the existence of the and learned of the existence of gold and alluvial mines. The missionaries hid the existence of these mines. In the reports of the Governors of the Province refer to gold and silver mines from of gold and silver mines as early as 1734, and the corresponding samples were sent to Spain. samples were sent to Spain. By the end of the 18th century By the end of the 18th century, another economic activity, in addition to livestock and tobacco and tobacco cultivation, was also noted in Guayana: mining.