The Viceroyalty of New Granada was a Spanish colonial administrative district established in 1717, covering parts of present-day Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela. It was created to improve governance and control over the rich resources and trade routes in the region. The capital was located in Bogotá, which served as the political and economic center. The viceroyalty played a significant role in the Spanish Empire, facilitating trade and the spread of European culture. It was governed by a viceroy, who acted as the king's representative. The region experienced social and economic changes, leading to movements for independence in the early 19th century.