# Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada

> founder of Bogotá

**Wikidata**: [Q347688](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q347688)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gonzalo_Jiménez_de_Quesada)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gonzalo-jimenez-de-quesada

## Summary
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada was a Spanish conquistador, explorer, historian, and military personnel who founded Bogotá in 1538. He is best known for his expedition into the interior of present-day Colombia, establishing the city that would become the capital of the country.

## Biography
- Born: [date and place not specified in source material]
- Nationality: Spain
- Education: Associated with University of Salamanca (public university in Salamanca, Spain)
- Known for: Founder of Bogotá
- Employer(s): Spanish Empire (as conquistador and military personnel)
- Field(s): Conquistador, explorer, historian, military personnel, politics

## Contributions
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founded Bogotá on August 6, 1538, which became the capital city of Colombia. He led expeditions to various Colombian municipalities including Suesca, Boyacá, Lenguazaque, Guachetá, Chía, Chipata, Fresno, Tota, Bojacá, Funza, and Turmequé between 1535 and 1537. As a conquistador in the service of the Spanish Empire, he participated in the colonization of the South American continent. He also worked as a historian, documenting the history of the regions he explored.

## FAQs
Q: When did Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada found Bogotá?
A: Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founded Bogotá on August 6, 1538, during his expedition into the interior of present-day Colombia.

Q: What was Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada's role in the Spanish Empire?
A: He served as a conquistador and military personnel in the service of the Spanish Empire, participating in the colonization efforts in South America.

Q: Which Colombian municipalities are associated with Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada?
A: During his expeditions between 1535 and 1537, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada explored and established connections with numerous Colombian municipalities including Suesca, Boyacá, Lenguazaque, Guachetá, Chía, Chipata, Fresno, Tota, Bojacá, Funza, and Turmequé.

Q: Where did Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada receive his education?
A: Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada was associated with the University of Salamanca, a public university located in Salamanca, Spain.

## Why They Matter
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada's exploration and founding of Bogotá fundamentally shaped the political and geographical landscape of what is now Colombia. His expeditions opened the interior of South America to Spanish colonization, establishing the foundations of modern Colombian society and governance. As both a conqueror and historian, he documented the indigenous peoples and geography of the region, contributing to European understanding of the New World. Without his efforts, the capital and many key settlements in Colombia might not have been established in the same way, potentially altering the course of the nation's development.

## Notable For
- Founder of Bogotá, the capital city of Colombia (1538)
- Leading expeditions to Colombian municipalities between 1535 and 1537
- Service as conquistador and military personnel for the Spanish Empire
- Work as a historian documenting the regions he explored
- Association with the University of Salamanca in Spain

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada was born in Spain, though the specific date and place are not documented in the source material. He received his education at the University of Salamanca, a prestigious public university located in Salamanca, Spain. This educational background would have provided him with the knowledge necessary for his later roles as an explorer, historian, and conquistador.

### Career as Conquistador and Explorer
Beginning in 1536, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada embarked on expeditions into the interior of present-day Colombia. He served as a conquistador and military personnel in the service of the Spanish Empire, participating in the colonization efforts in South America. His expeditions led him to explore various Colombian municipalities, including Suesca, Boyacá, Lenguazaque, Guachetá, Chía, Chipata, Fresno, Tota, Bojacá, Funza, and Turmequé, with most of these explorations occurring between 1535 and 1537.

### Founding of Bogotá
On August 6, 1538, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada founded Bogotá, which would become the capital city of Colombia. This settlement was established during his expedition into the Muisca Confederation's territory in the Andean highlands. The city, initially named Santa Fe de Bogotá, became a significant administrative and cultural center for the Spanish in South America.

### Historical Documentation
In addition to his exploratory and military activities, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada worked as a historian, documenting the history of the regions he explored. His historical writings provided valuable insights into the indigenous peoples, geography, and cultures of the areas that would later become Colombia. These contributions to the field of history helped preserve records of the pre-Columbian and early colonial periods in the region.

### Geographical and Political Contributions
As an explorer with interests in geography and politics, Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada played a crucial role in mapping the interior of Colombia and establishing Spanish political control over the region. His expeditions expanded the geographical knowledge of the area and facilitated the Spanish colonization process. The municipalities he explored and established connections with became important centers of administration and settlement in colonial Colombia.

### Legacy
Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada's most enduring legacy is the foundation of Bogotá, which has served as the capital of Colombia since its establishment. His contributions as a conquistador, explorer, historian, and military personnel significantly impacted the development of Colombia as a nation. The association of his name with numerous Colombian municipalities reflects the extensive reach of his expeditions and the lasting imprint he left on the country's geography and history.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Source](https://viaf.org/viaf/162632040/justlinks.json)
6. CERL Thesaurus
7. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File