The Spanish made several attempts to settle along the north coast of today's Colombia in the early 16th century, but their first permanent settlement, at Santa Marta, was not established until 1525.

Cartagena was founded on June 1, 1533, by Spanish commander Pedro de Heredia, and grew rapidly, fueled first by the gold in the tombs of the Sinú culture, and later by trade.

In 1549, the Spanish Royal Audiencia made Bogotá the capital of New Granada, which comprised in large part what is now territory of Colombia.

Despite the successes of the rebellion, the emergence of two distinct ideological currents among the liberators (federalism and centralism) gave rise to an internal clash which contributed to the reconquest of territory by the Spanish.

Colombia and Spain officially established diplomatic relations in 1881 when representatives of both nations signed a Treaty of Peace and Friendship in Paris.

[6] Colombia's main exports to Spain include: fish, fruits and vegetables, coffee, sugar, cacao, oil, iron and minerals.

Spain's main exports to Colombia include: machinery, electrical equipment, pharmaceutical products and organic chemicals.