The year 1524 marks the beginning of the Colonial Era in the Central American region, with

the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, who entered through its western part (currently
Retalhuleu), coming from New Spain (currently Mexico). The advanced conqueror was
Captain Pedro de Alvarado. He first confronted the K'iches and later allied with the
Cakchiqueles. He founded the first capital on July 25, 1524, in the vicinity of Iximché,
capital of the Cakchiqueles, with the name of Ciudad de Santiago, in honor of the Apostle
and patron of the reconquest.

The colonial period lasted almost 300 years. During
that time, Guatemala was a general captaincy and an
audience (General Captaincy of Guatemala and
Audiencia de los Confines), which, in turn, depended
on the Viceroyalty of New Spain (today Mexico).
Its territory ranged from the Soconusco region —
now in southern Mexico (Chiapas state)— to Costa
Rica. This region was not as rich in minerals and
metals as Mexico and Peru. However, it stood out,
mainly, in agricultural production. Its main resources
were sugar cane, cocoa, precious wood, scarlet and
indigo (the last two were dyes).
Regarding education, the region had schools of first letters,
both for indigenous people, mestizos and Spaniards or
Creoles. University studies had their antecedent when the first The president of the audience, Don Martín de
bishop of the kingdom of Guatemala, Francisco Marroquín, Mayorga, requested the Monarch of Spain,
founded the University College of Santo Tomás, in the year
1562. In 1676, the University of San Carlos de Guatemala was
on July 21, 1775, the transfer of Antigua
founded, which was a one of the first universities of the new Guatemala, since, always vulnerable to
world.
volcanic eruptions, floods, and earthquakes,
The president of the audience, Don Martín de Mayorga,
it had been destroyed by two earthquakes in
requested the Monarch of Spain, on July 21, 1775, the transfer 1773. The new Guatemala City made its
of Antigua Guatemala, since, always vulnerable to volcanic fourth settlement official on January 2, 1776
eruptions, floods, and earthquakes, it had been destroyed by
two earthquakes in 1773