The Spanish conquest of the Americas brought significant change to the region. Following Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Caribbean, Spanish explorers began their colonization efforts. In 1538, the Spanish established Bogotá, which became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada. This vast colonial territory included what is now Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. The Spanish imposed their rule over the indigenous peoples, exploiting both the land and the labor of native communities, which would profoundly shape the future of the region.