<sod>  
 The [[Spain|Spanish]] sailed along the north coast of Colombia as early as [[1500]], but their first permanent settlement, at Santa Marta, was not made until [[1525]]. In [[1549]], the area was established as a Spanish colony with the capital at Santa fe de Bogota. In [[1717]], Bogota became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which included what is now [[Venezuela]], [[Ecuador]], and [[Panama]]. The city became one of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World, along with [[Lima, Peru|Lima]] and [[Mexico City]]. In August [[2000]] the capital's name was officially changed from "Santa Fe de Bogota" to the more usual "Bogota."
 
On [[July 20]], [[1810]], the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Full independence was proclaimed in [[1813]], and in [[1819]] the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed.
 
 '''The Republic'''
 
 <eod> <sod> 
 The [[Spain|Spanish]] sailed along the north coast of Colombia as early as [[1500]], but their first permanent settlement, at Santa Marta, was not made until [[1525]]. In [[1549]], the area was established as a Spanish colony with the capital at Santa fe de Bogota. In [[1717]], Bogota became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which included what is now [[Venezuela]], [[Ecuador]], and [[Panama]]. The city became one of the principal administrative centers of the Spanish possessions in the New World, along with [[Lima, Peru|Lima]] and [[Mexico City]]. In August [[2000]] the capital's name was officially changed from "Santa Fe de Bogota" to the more usual "Bogota."
 
On [[July 20]], [[1810]], the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Full independence was proclaimed in [[1813]], and on [[January 17]], [[1819]] the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed.
 
 '''The Republic'''
 
 <eod>