The Federal Dependencies of Venezuela (Spanish Dependencias Federales) encompass all of Venezuela's off shore islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Venezuela. These islands, with a total area of 342 square kilometres, are sparsely populated - according to official sources only 3000 people live there permanently, with another hundred from Margarita Island who live there seasonally to engage in fishing. Local government is under the authority of the mayor of Caracas.