On August 6, 1538, the Spain conquistadors Gonzalo · Jimenez · de · Quesada officially proclaimed Bogotá in today's Colombia, an event that marked the further expansion of the Spain colonial empire in South America and laid the foundation for Bogotá's future development.
Bogotá, the capital of Colombia
Gonzalo · Jimenez· de · Quesada was Spain famous explorer and conqueror, born in Granada in 1509. Quesada initially received her legal education in Spain and later became a lawyer. However, with the discovery of the New World and the expansion of Spain in the Americas, Quesada was drawn to these unknown lands in search of wealth and honor.
In the early 16th century, Spain had established several colonial bases in the Americas, but the interior of South America remained unexplored. Quesada was tasked with leading an expedition to the northern regions of South America, with the goal of finding the legendary golden city of El Dorado. In 1536, Quesada's expedition set out from Santa Marta, Venezuela, and traveled south along the Magdalena River, deep into the highlands of Colombia.
Bogotá International Center
During the two-year expedition, Quesada's team endured numerous hardships, including disease, hunger, and conflict with the indigenous population. However, they eventually reached the territory of the Muiscans. The Muisca are an indigenous tribe with a highly developed social structure and abundant gold and silver treasures.
Quesada's arrival was not warmly welcomed by the Muisca. In order to conquer this rich region, Quezada resorted to force, and finally on August 6, 1538, Quezadada announced the establishment of a new Spain colonial stronghold in Bacata, the capital of the Muiscans, and named it "Bogotá". The name derives from the Muisca "Bacatá", which means "the barrier that surrounds the farmland".
Montserrate Mountain
The establishment of Bogotá marked the beginning of Spain's domination in the Colombia highlands. Quesada quickly began work on the construction of the city and drew up an urban plan. He built churches, administrative buildings and residential quarters, and introduced Spain's legal and administrative system. Bogotá gradually became the political, economic and cultural center of Spain in the Viceroyalty of New Granada.
View of the International Center from Guadalupe Hill
Under Spain, Bogotá experienced rapid development. As the seat of the Viceroyalty, Bogotá became the administrative center of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, attracting a large number of immigrants and merchants. Spain colonists established large-scale agricultural plantations and mines here, using local natural resources and indigenous labor for production. At the same time, Bogotá also became an important base for the spread of Catholicism, where the Church established several churches and monasteries, promoting the spread of Christianity in the region.
The Capitol
Over time, Bogotá gradually developed from a colonial stronghold into a thriving city. At the beginning of the 19th century, independence movements in Latin America were on the rise, and Colombia achieved independence during this period. Bogotá, as the capital of the nascent republic, continues to play an important political and economic role.
justice department
Since the beginning of the 20th century, Bogotá has undergone a series of modernizations. Urban infrastructure was massively improved, industrialization and urbanization accelerated, and Bogotá became the economic and cultural center of Colombia. Today, Bogotá has developed into a metropolis with a population of millions, and as the capital of Colombia, Bogotá has important political, economic, cultural and educational influences.
Bogotá is the third most populous city in South America, after São Paulo and Buenos Aires
Gonzalo· Jimenez · de · Quesada proclaimed Bogotá in the highlands of Colombia, a historical event that not only marked the further expansion of the Spain colonial empire in South America, but also laid the foundation for Bogotá's future development. From a small colonial stronghold to the modern metropolis it is today, Bogotá's history has witnessed the transformation and development of Colombia. The city is not only rich in history and cultural heritage, but also constantly moving into the future.
If it helps you, please follow + like + share. Thank you!